Global coastal development has surged, expanding harbors and port facilities. While socio-economic benefits are evident, ecosystem disruptions and biodiversity losses are consequential. This study assesses the ecological impact of novel concrete infrastructures at the Port of Vigo, Northwestern Spain, hypothesizing that these structures support elevated biodiversity compared to traditional infrastructures. Utilizing UBRUVS, three infrastructures (mangrove, azuri, and coastalock) were evaluated using BACI design in two harbor areas. Results indicated that the mangrove seawall structure positively impacted species richness and diversity, particularly in Portocultura site, supporting the hypothesis. The azuri seawall had no significant effects. Conversely, the coastalock structures in Bouzas site negatively impacted, possibly due to habitat disruption or short monitoring periods. However, coastalock pools, mimicking natural rock pools, showed tidal influences on biodiversity, with species persisting during low tide sustained by the new habitats. Overall, novel seawall structures at Portocultura often affected the marine communities positively. The coastalocks provided new aquatic habitats persisting during low tide, like natural rock pools, and used by various marine organisms. However, compared to dedicated control areas, the coastalocks revealed negative effects, likely due to limited monitoring time. This study highlights the potential of nature-inclusive designs to boost coastal biodiversity, guiding sustainable development strategies.
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