Our study showed that artificial reefs, like urban granite
breakwaters, harboured significantly more Anthropogenic litter
(AL) than natural, adjacent, rocky shore platforms. More importantly,
we found that the pattern of intermediate to high structural
complexity on artificial reefs was a significant predictor of an increase
in AL density. Complementary, we also found evidence that
human population size and breakwater extension positively
affected the probability of AL occurrence. Here, we discuss our results
in relation to ecological and human population consequences
of coastal engineering infrastructure and the management opportunities
provided by structural characteristics of the artificial and
natural habitats in coastal ecosystems.