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To explore the ecological effects of artificial reef (AR), multidimensional evaluations involving density, biodiversity and spatial heterogeneity of nekton community were studied in Beibu Gulf China. The spatial pattern of nekton community was clearly classified into two groups (A and B) in April 2017. However, the variation of nekton densities between A (48529 ind/km2) and B (30220 ind/km2) was not significant (P= 0.17). Therefore, the ecological effects evaluation of AR merely based on density assessment is not sensitive enough. Shannon-Wiener diversity (H') and Pielou evenness (J') in group A (2.74 and 0.78) were significantly higher than that in group B (2.3 and 0.7), implying an obvious ecological restoration effect of AR. Furthermore, crustaceans such as Alpheus brevicristatus, Charybdis callianassa and Harpiosquilla harpax, showing a distinct preference tropism to AR, were turned out to be the main factors contributing to the spatial heterogenity of nekton community between A and B, which was closely related to dissolved oxygen (DO), water transparency (Tra) and total inorganic nitrogen (TIN). The findings in this paper are significant for the protection and restoration of crustaceans resourcs along coastal water, given the rapid establish of AR around the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]