Creating Beautiful Artifical Reefs...

Creating Beautiful Artifical Reefs...

Coral reefs, the rainforests of the sea, are some of the most colorful and lively ecosystems on our planet. The average reef provides a home to almost 25 percent of all marine species, while the reefs themselves occupy less than 0.1 percent of the ocean surface.  These small and vital life-sources are under grave threat from climate change, blast fishing and other environmentally harmful practices, which is why groups of artists from Mexico to Indonesia are gathering together to help recreate the world's coral reefs. The artists created statues mostly out of cement and sand, which, due their low pH levels, facilitate the natural growth of coral. Here's a selection of some of the most beautiful artificial reefs we've ever seen!

One of 400 life-size sculptures created by artist Jason deCaires Taylor for the "The Silent Evolution" exhibit in The Marine National Park of Cancun. by © kozyndan

Another statue from the Cancun exhibit nearly completely covered with growing coral. by © kozyndan

"The Lost Correspondent" by Jason deCaires Taylor in the waters of Grenada. © Jason deCaires Taylor via Luxury In Progress

"Banker" by deCaires Taylor and part of the Musea Subacuatico de Arte (MUSA) in the waters of Cancun. by © Jason deCaires Taylor

"Interia" by deCaires Taylor in MUSA. by © Jason deCaires Taylor

Part of "The Silent Evolution" exhibit by deCaires Taylor at MUSA. by © Jason deCaires Taylor

The gates to the Neptune Society Memorial Reef in Key Biscayne, Florida. This is an underwater memorial site that was inspired by the Lost City of Atlantis and serves as a cemetery for those who want to be buried under the sea.  by Elkman

"Lion", one of the many statues that are part of the Neptune Society Memorial Reef in Key Biscayne, Florida. by © Neptune Society

Christ of the Abyss in the Florida Keys. by © SDTN (Scuba Divers Travel Network)

Christ of the Abyss completely covered. by Funstatic

A nine-foot tall bronze statue of "Amphitrite" by Simon Morris in the Cayman Islands. Amphitrite was the wife of Poseidon, lord of the seas, and queen of the ocean in Greek mythology. by John Carleton

A sunken Moai at Easter Island in the South Pacific. This statue was originally constructed for a 1994 Hollywood film, but once it sunk to the sea bottom, it became a home for thousands of creatures. by © Mathieu Meur

A life-sized sculpture of a woman silently screaming, by deCaires Taylor. by © Jason deCaires Taylor

Sculpture of a woman covered in coral by Roberto Diaz Abraham in the MUSA Cancun underwater park. by © Roberto Díaz Abraham via MUSA

A statue of a man curled up on a Volkswagen Beetle by deCaires Taylor. This structure is home to thousands of crustaceans and lobsters, and serves as a refuge and breeding grounds for fish. by © Jason deCaires Taylor

Underwater Buddah statue in Bali. by Robert Scales

The Vicissitudes in the Moilinere Bay Sculpture Park, Grenada following installation in 2007. The statue is a ring of 26 children that are molded in order to represent different ethnic backgrounds once again by underwater artist Jason deCaires Taylor. by © Jason deCaires Taylor

Vicissitudes in 2011 in the Moilinere Bay Sculpture Park, Grenada. by Michael Brashier

Nature taking its course and creating beautiful coral reefs from the statues. by © Jason deCaires Taylor