Transplant nursery-grown coral onto natural substrate
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Overall effectiveness category Awaiting assessment
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Number of studies: 22
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Supporting evidence from individual studies
A replicated study in 1998 in a lagoon in Pangasinan, Philippines (Yap 2004) found that stony coral Porites rus fragments transplanted onto live or dead Porites cylindrica colonies had lower survival after 14 weeks than fragments transplanted on suspended metal grids, and that no Porites cylindrica fragments survived transplantation. After 14 weeks, Porites rus fragments removed from their nursery grids and transplanted onto live Porites cylindrica colonies had higher survival (44%) than those attached to dead colonies (11%), but both had lower survival than fragments suspended above the reef on grids (86%). No Porites cylindrica fragments using any of the three transplantation methods survived. In 1996, twenty-eight Porites cylindrica and 25 Porites rus fragments were obtained from a reef 1 km from the experiment site, attached to 1 m2 metal grids coated in white epoxy paint, and allowed to grow at 2–3 m depth. In June 1998 the fragments were transplanted onto three different substrates: remaining on the grids which were suspended 40 cm above the sandy substrate on metal stakes, or removed from the grids and tied onto existing live or dead Porites cylindrica colonies with plastic-coated copper wire. The three treatments were replicated at three sites (number of fragments/site not provided). Fragments were monitored every two weeks for 14 weeks.
Study and other actions testedA study in 2006–2007 at a degraded coral reef site at Akajima Island, Okinawa, Japan (Omori et al. 2008) reported that the majority of nursery-grown juvenile stony coral Acropora tenuis colonies transplanted onto the coral substrate survived and increased in size. After six months, 89% of colonies were still alive, attached to the substrate and had grown from an average diameter of 5.8 cm to 9.1 cm. In December 2006, approximately 2,000 colonies of stony coral Acropora tenuis (average diameter 5.8 cm) were collected from an in-situ nursery located at Akajima Island. Colonies were transplanted onto nearby outcrops (2 m high, 6 m deep) and fixed to the degraded coral substrate using pegs and underwater glue. No other methods are reported.
Study and other actions testedA study in 2008–2011 in Bolinao, northwestern Philippines (Baria et al. 2012) reported that three out of 12 colonies of stony coral Acropora millepora transplanted to a natural reef reached sexual maturity after three years compared to 17 of 19 colonies that remained in a nursery, and sexually mature colonies were larger than non-mature colonies. After three years, sexually mature (with eggs present) colonies had average diameters ranging from 12.3–13.7 cm (transplanted) and 14.4–28.3 cm (nursery-reared) compared to non-mature colonies (transplanted: 7.8–11.0 cm; nursery-reared 11.8–13.5 cm). Data were not statistically tested. In 2008, stony coral spat (settled larvae) on artificial settlement tiles in an outdoor nursery were transferred to an in-situ nursery. After six months, 12 colonies were transplanted onto a natural reef and 19 colonies remained in the nursery. After three years, the number of sexually mature colonies (colonies with eggs) was counted, and all colonies were measured.
Study and other actions testedA randomized, replicated study in 2007–2008 at two reef sites in Montego Bay, Jamaica (Ross 2014) found that transplanting nursery-grown staghorn Acropora cervicornis fragments at a shallower depth led to higher survival, and less decrease in length than fragments transplanted deeper. After 11 months, 28 of 36 (78%) transplanted at the shallow site had survived (8 were lost), and 7 of 29 (24%) transplanted at the deeper site survived (11 died, 11 were lost). Partial mortality (measured as a % live tissue loss and decrease in total length of live tissue) was lower for shallow fragments (47%, 2,5–13 m) than deeper (91% from 17–1.5 m). The average number of polyps/fragment was lower after 11 months (shallow: 7/fragment, deep: 6/fragment) compared to the start (shallow: 9/fragment, deep: 6/fragment) (data not statistically analysed). In September 2007, sixty-five staghorn fragments (5 cm) were selected at random from an established in-situ line nursery and each cable-tied to a nail driven into the rock or dead coral substrate 3–5 m or 12.5–14 m deep. Survival was recorded, growth (length of live tissue) measured and the number of polyps/fragment counted three times in the first four months then again after 11 months using scaled photographs.
Study and other actions testedA before-and-after, site comparison study in 2006–2014 at a damaged coral reef site in Tallaboa, Puerto Rico (Griffin et al. 2015) reported that following transplanting nursery-grown, along with wild-grown, fragments of staghorn Acropora cervicornis coral onto stabilized natural substrate, the area of restored reef increased. After eight years, the area of restored reef had increased from 70 m2 to 180 m2. Coral colonies in unrestored areas in the vicinity, with loose rubble and damaged substrate, showed no signs of recovery during the same period. It was not possible to determine from the study how much of the recovery was attributable to transplanting nursery-grown fragments, transplanting wild-grown fragments, or stabilizing the substrate. In 2006, following the destruction of a coral reef by a ship grounding, wire cages and metal stakes were used to stabilize a 70 m2 area of damaged reef. In the same year, approximately 227 (10–20 cm) fragments of staghorn coral were collected from nearby reefs and attached to the substrate using cement puddles. In 2009–2011, approximately 400 (20–40 cm) fragments of staghorn coral were collected from a nursery and attached to the substrate using masonry nails, cable ties and/or epoxy. Coral recovery was measured using photos taken in 2006 and 2014 as well as aerial imagery in 2014. No other methods are reported.
Study and other actions testedA replicated study in 2011–2012 on two coral reefs off Culebra Island, Puerto Rico (Mercado-Molina et al. 2015) found that a year after transplanting nursery-grown staghorn coral Acropora cervicornis fragments onto natural substrate, there was no difference in survival between large and small fragments, but large fragments grew faster. One year after transplanting, there was no difference in average survival between large (62%) and small (57–68%) coral fragments. However, large fragments on average grew more quickly (0.3–0.4 cm/day) and produced more branches (9–14 branches/year) than small fragments (0.1–0.2 cm/day; 6–11 branches/year). In May 2011, large (>25 cm) and small (<25 cm) Acropora cervicornis branches were clipped from colonies grown in two in-situ nurseries and transplanted to two nearby reefs. The branches were attached directly to the natural substrate (3–4 m deep) with concrete nails and plastic cable ties. Survival was monitored one month later and every three months thereafter for one year in total. Growth was calculated using photographs taken at transplantation and the final survey.
Study and other actions testedA study in 2012 at a coral nursery at Cane Bay, US Virgin Islands (Griffin et al. 2015) found that transplanting fragments of nursery-grown staghorn coral Acropora cervicornis onto natural substrate at lower densities resulted in higher total linear growth, secondary branch growth and numbers of new branches than those transplanted at higher densities. After three months, average linear growth ranged from 15 cm (1 fragment/plot) to 5 cm (16 fragments/plot). Secondary branch growth decreased as the number of fragments/plot increased ranging from 13 cm (1/plot) to 4 cm (16/plot), but there was no significant difference in primary branch growth (1.2 cm for 7/plot to 3.5 cm for 18/plot). The number of new branches recorded declined with increasing density from 5 (1 fragment/plot) to 1 (18/plot). In April 2012, one hundred and forty-six fragments of staghorn coral (average length 6.5 cm) were collected from a nursery and attached vertically at their base onto bare reef using marine epoxy. Fragments were arranged in clusters from 1–12, 14, 16, 18, 20 individuals/plot (16 plots, 146 fragments) each fragment 5 cm apart from its neighbour. Primary and secondary branch growth, and new branch development were measured after three months.
Study and other actions testedA before-and-after, site comparison study in 2012–2014 at a coral reef off Cousin Island, Seychelles (Montoya-Maya et al. 2016) found that transplanting fragments of nursery-grown stony coral Acropora and Pocillopora onto natural substrate led to a higher density of settled larvae (coral spat) than at healthy or degraded sites without transplants, and a higher number of juvenile corals than the degraded site. Twenty months after transplantation, density of all coral spat was higher at the transplantation site (124 spat/m2) than at nearby healthy (68 spat/m2) and degraded (78 spat/m2) sites without transplants. However, 24 months after transplanting, the transplantation site had lower density of all juveniles (3 juveniles/m2) than the healthy site (5 juveniles/m2) but higher than the degraded site (2 juveniles/m2). In November 2012–June 2014, a total of 24,431 nursery-grown coral colonies of seven Acropora and four Pocillopora species were transplanted at a 0.52 ha area of degraded reef (<3% coverage of corals in 2012, 16% in 2014). Transplantation methods not provided. A 0.12 ha healthy site (14% coverage in 2012, 35% in 2014) and a 0.13 ha degraded site (<3% coverage in both years), both without transplantations, were chosen for comparison. Sites were adjacent, 50 m apart from their neighbouring site. In January 2014, forty ceramic tiles were placed 8–10 m deep at each site, retrieved in July 2014 and inspected for coral spat of any species and returned to the sites. Juvenile corals were surveyed along six 10-m transects and in three randomly placed 1-m2 quadrats at each site before transplantation started, and at 12, 18 and 24 months after.
Study and other actions testedA study in 2015 at a coral reef restoration site in Maeganeku, Japan (Zayasu & Shinzato 2016) reported that nursery-grown colonies of stony coral Acropora tenuis outplanted onto natural substrate spawned. In June 2015, twenty-five nights after the full moon, almost all 2,800 transplanted Acropora tenuis colonies released egg/sperm bundles. Since 1998, more than 40 stony coral species have been outplanted on the periphery of existing coral reefs. Methods not reported.
Study and other actions testedA replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2013–2014 at a coral reef site off Plantation Key, Florida, USA (Ladd et al. 2016) found that transplanting staghorn coral Acropora cervicornis fragments at lower density led to a higher survival rate compared to fragments transplanted at higher densities, but results for growth were mixed. Thirteen months after transplanting, fragment survival was higher in the 3 fragments/plot treatment (100%) compared to the 12-clumped/plot and 24/plot (both 58%) and higher in the 6/plot (84%), 12/plot (88%) and 12-clumped/plot compared to 24/plot. Daily growth rate (skeletal extension) did not vary between treatments until the final survey period when growth was higher for 12/plot fragments (0.82 cm/day) compared to 24/plot (0.44 cm/day). There was no difference in daily growth rate between 3 (0.67 cm/day), 6 (0.68 cm/day), and 12-clumped (0.82 cm/day) plots compared to 24/plot (0.44 cm/day). In May 2013, twenty-four 4 m2 plots were marked on a reef 5–7 m deep. Staghorn coral fragments (~85 cm long) were transplanted from a nearby nursery and attached to the substrate using marine epoxy in densities: 3/plot (0.75 corals/m2); 6/plot (1.5/m2); 12/plot (3/m2); 12-clumped/plot (12/m2); and 24/plot (6/m2). Fragments were evenly distributed within each plot except the 12-clumped which were placed within 1m2 inside the plot. Each plot had four replicates and an additional four plots were left without transplants as controls. Plots were surveyed in August and December 2013 and June 2014. Growth was measured as total skeletal extension (length, width, and height) of all fragments. Survival (% fragments alive) was recorded at each survey.
Study and other actions testedA controlled study in 2015 on a reef in Little Cayman, Cayman Islands (Lohr et al. 2017) found that transplanting nursery-grown staghorn coral Acropora cervicornis fragments onto natural substrate at 10 m deep led to higher survival and similar growth to those at 16 m but similar survival and greater growth than those at 1 m. Survival 85 days after transplantation was higher amongst staghorn coral fragments at 1 m (100%) and 10 m (95%) deep, than those at 16 m deep (60%). However, those at 1 m on average decreased in height (-4 cm), whereas those at 10 m and 16 m had similar average increases (12 cm and 7 cm, respectively). Sixty 11–33 cm staghorn coral fragments grown in an in-situ nursery since 2012 were transplanted in May 2015 in plots containing 10 fragments each at depths of 1 m, 10 m and 16 m (two plots/depth). Fragments were attached with cable ties to nails embedded in the sea floor in a 1 × 4 m grid, and then to the floor with epoxy putty. Plots were photographed approximately every 30 days for 85 days.
Study and other actions testedA review of six restoration projects established in 2007–2010 at locations in Florida and Puerto Rico, USA, (Schopmeyer et al. 2017) reported that most nursery-grown staghorn coral Acropora cervicornis fragments transplanted to a natural substrate survived and grew. After one year, 85% (range 75–93%) of fragments survived and after two years (at the 3 sites monitored over that period), survival rate was 67–80%. Growth rate varied between sites from 26–81 cm/year (average 46 cm/year). The paper presents survival and growth results from six projects transplanting nursery-grown staghorn coral fragments. Fragments of staghorn coral were cultivated and transplanted to nearby reefs, attached to the substrate using nails, cable ties, and/or epoxy (see paper for details). Survival (including fragments with partial tissue loss) was determined by counting the number of fragments with some live tissue. Growth (total linear extension) was measured using a flexible ruler. Fragments were monitored for 1 year (3 of 6 projects) and 2 years (3 of 6 projects).
Study and other actions testedA replicated study in 2016–2017 at two coral reef sites in Florida, USA (O'Donnell et al. 2018) found that most nursery-grown staghorn coral Acropora cervicornis colonies transplanted onto the natural reef survived and increased in size. One year after transplanting, the average survival rate of fragments did not differ between the two sites (86 and 92%). Although the average size of colonies at transplanting did not differ between sites (site 1: 171 mm; site 2: 189 mm), size was higher at site 1 (751 mm) than site 2 (598 mm) one year later. In May 2016, one hundred nursery-grown staghorn colonies (100–200 mm with at least two branches) were transplanted 45 m deep on two coral reefs. At each site, colonies were arranged in two arrays (~3–5 m apart) each with five clusters (~0.5–1 m apart) of five colonies (~10–15 cm apart). Colonies were attached to the substrate using masonry nails and cable ties. Survival was recorded after one year. Growth (measured as total linear extension including all branches) was recorded approximately 3, 6, and 12 months after transplanting.
Study and other actions testedA replicated study in 2014–2016 at three coral reef sites off the Florida coast, USA (Pausch et al. 2018), found that transplanted smaller fragments of elkhorn Acropora palmata experienced less bleaching and produced more live tissue than larger fragments but both had similar survival. Three months after transplanting, all fragments showed some signs of bleaching. However, the percentage of fragments bleached white over part or >90% of the fragment was lower for small fragments (part-bleached: 30-76%; >90% bleached: 8-18%) than large fragments (part-bleached: 65-83%; >90% bleached: 16%). After 30 months, increases in live-area-index (a proxy for size) were greater for smaller fragments (214 cm2) than larger fragments (103 cm2). There was no difference in survival between fragments after 30 months (small: 27%; large 26%). In May 2014, small (average 51 cm2 live-area-index – see paper for detail) and large (average 108 cm2 live-area-index) fragments of elkhorn coral (126 of each size) were transplanted in pairs 1 m apart across three fore-reef sites. Size was measured as live-area-index (see paper for details). Survival and increase in live-area-index were measured after 1, 6, 13, and 30 months. Two additional surveys were carried out during an extreme thermal stress event in August and September 2014 to assess condition and record bleaching between 0 (no bleaching) – 4 (>90% of the fragment completely bleached).
Study and other actions testedA replicated study in 2014 in one protected coral reef and one fished reef off Viti Levu, Fiji (Beatty et al. 2018) found that transplanting nursery-grown corals Pocillopora damicornis onto natural substrate resulted in higher survival for juveniles when they were transplanted on substrate taken from, and transplanted to, the protected area compared to on substrate taken from, and transplanted to, the fished reef. Survival was higher for settled larvae on substrate taken from and transplanted to the protected area (day 4: protected area larvae: 49%, fished reef larvae: 64%, day 26: protected area larvae: 22%, fished reef larvae: 39%) than on substrate taken from and transplanted to the fished reef (day 4: protected area larvae: 12%, fished reef larvae: 29%, day 26: protected area larvae: 5, fished reef larvae: 8%). In addition, survival was lower for juveniles transplanted to the fished area on substrate fouled with macroalgae (day 4: 15%, day 26: 9%) compared to on unfouled substrate in the fished area or unfouled substrate in the protected area (day 4: 43−51%, day 26: 22−28%). In 2014, fragments of coral colonies were collected from 12 colonies from a protected area and 12 from an adjacent fished reef (100–500 m between protected and fished areas). Larvae from adults from the protected and fished areas were added to separate plastic dishes (10 larvae/dish) and settled on substrate gathered either from the protected area or fished reef (20 dishes/treatment). Settled larvae on either substrate were transplanted after four days either to the protected area or fished reef (13−18 pieces of substrate/treatment) and attached using nails and cable ties. Additionally, larvae on 14–15 pieces of substrate were transplanted in each of three treatments: transplanted to fished area with or without macroalgae on the substrate or transplanted to the protected area with no macroalgae. Survival was assessed after four and 26 days.
Study and other actions testedA replicated, paired site, site comparison in 2014 in four coral reefs in Florida, USA (Ladd et al. 2019) found that transplanting nursery-grown colonies of staghorn coral Acropora cervicornis onto natural substrate led to a higher abundance of Acropora coral species juveniles and, at one of four reefs, a higher abundance of non-Acropora coral juveniles than plots without transplants but did not increase overall coral diversity. There was higher coral cover on plots with transplants (5–15%) than plots without (1–3%), but this was mostly due to increases in Acropora species, which made up 78–89% of corals in plots with transplants and 0–7% in plots without. At one of four reefs there was a higher abundance of non-Acropora juvenile corals on sites with transplants than those without (Pickles Reef: with transplants: 4 corals/50 m2, without: 1 coral/50 m2) but at the other three there was no difference (with transplants: 2–18 corals/50 m2, without: 2–15 corals/50 m2). There was no difference in coral diversity between plots with transplanted Acropora cervicornis and those without (presented as Shannon-Weiner index). The four reefs in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary had undergone limited Acropora cervicornis transplanting from 2–11 years prior (<100 corals transplanted), but more extensive transplanting since 2011 (Molasses Reef: 2,300 corals), 2012 (Pickles Reef: 1,150 corals, Snapper Reef: 500 corals) or 2013 (Conch Reef: 500 corals). Nursery-grown coral colonies were transplanted onto reefs using epoxy putty. In July–August 2014, at each reef five 25 m transects were swum in an area with transplants and five in an area without (≥5 m away) to record coral abundance and species.
Study and other actions testedA replicated study in 2015–2016 in two coral reef sites in Lingayen Gulf, Philippines (Ligson et al. 2020, same experimental set-up as Ligson et al. 2021) found that a year after transplanting nursery-grown stony coral Acropora verweyi onto natural substrate, large transplants had higher survival than small at one of two sites. After a year, large transplants had higher survival than small transplants at one of two sites (site 1: 32% large vs 14% small, site 2: 36% for both). Large transplants also grew more than small transplants (large: 13 mm/year, small: 9 mm/year). In 2015, eleven Acropora verweyi colonies were collected and transplanted to an ex-situ setting. All colonies were placed in a plastic tank for spawning, and egg/sperm bundles were collected and settled on dead coral rubble. Four months after fertilization, 240 pieces of coral rubble with a single coral colony (120 large: 10–15 mm at time of transplant; 120 small: 3–5 mm at time of transplant) were transplanted to one of two sites, distributed evenly between four bommies (coral outcrops) at each site and inserted into drilled holes with putty. Survival and growth were monitored 62, 93, 185, 278, and 376 days post-transplant. Transplanting nursery grown coral in 2015 cost $2.67 for each transplanted juvenile, and $11.49 for each transplanted coral that survived for one-year post-transplant. Costs included surveys and collection of donor corals, ex-situ cultivation and rearing, transplanting and monitoring over one year.
Study and other actions testedA replicated, randomized study in 2016–2017 at a coral reef in Florida, USA (Lustic et al. 2020) found that the majority of nursery-grown colonies of three stony coral species transplanted onto natural substrate survived, and surviving colonies of one of three coral species increased in size, while the other two decreased. After 17–18 months, 46 of 60 (77%) staghorn coral Acropora cervicornis colonies, 43 of 60 (72%) great star coral Montastraea cavernosa colonies, and 55 of 60 (92%) mountainous star coral Orbicella faveolata colonies survived. On average, surviving staghorn coral colonies increased in volume by 1,015%, whereas great star coral and mountainous star coral colonies decreased in surface area by 23% and 11%, respectively. Staghorn coral colonies (66–575 cm3) were collected from an ex-situ nursery, and great star (45–120 cm2) and mountainous star (38–130 cm2) coral colonies from an in-situ nursery. In March 2016, sixty colonies of each species were transplanted onto the hard substrate of a coral reef (≥2-m apart, 8-m deep) using nails and zipties or cement and Plaster of Paris. Areas around half of the transplant sites were cleared of algae and zoanthids Palythoa caribaeorum. After 17-18 months, surviving colonies were counted and measured in the field or from photographs.
Study and other actions testedA replicated study in 2015–2019 in two coral reef sites in Lingayen Gulf, Philippines (Ligson et al. 2021, same experimental set-up as Ligson et al. 2020) found that transplanting nursery grown stony coral Acropora verweyi onto natural substrate resulted in 18% of corals surviving for four years, with higher survival for larger transplants at one of two sites. Survival was higher for larger transplanted corals than smaller corals at one site (22% of large vs 15% of small) but survival was similar at the other (15% of large vs 12% of small). Average diameter after four years was 16 cm and did not differ for larger or smaller transplanted corals. In 2015, eleven Acropora verweyi colonies were collected and transplanted to an ex-situ setting. All colonies were placed in a plastic tank for spawning, and egg/sperm bundles were collected and settled on dead coral rubble. Four months after fertilization, 240 pieces of coral rubble with a single coral colony (120 large: 1–2 cm at time of transplant; 120 small: 0.3–0.5 cm at time of transplant) were transplanted to one of two sites, distributed evenly between four bommies (coral outcrops) at each site and inserted into drilled holes with putty. Survival and size were assessed in June 2019, four years after transplant.
Study and other actions testedA study in 2019 at a coral reef restoration site off Florida, USA (Unsworth et al. 2021) found that transplanting nursery-grown staghorn coral Acropora cervicornis onto natural substrate resulted in most surviving for at least four months, with no difference between methods of attachment. Tissue mortality was similar for corals transplanted using cement, or nails and cable ties (0–27% partial mortality, 0–13% full mortality). Transplants using a range of cement mixes or epoxy found average tissue mortality of 2% (cement) or 0% (epoxy) after eight days, with no additional mortality after one month and recovery after five months. Divers were able to transplant around 11 corals/dive using cement compared to six/dive using nails and cable ties (not tested for statistical significance). A total of 225 coral fragments were used to compare a range of cement mixes and epoxy. Five bases (8–10 cm diameter) were deployed for each mix, and three fragments were placed on each base. Survival was assessed after eight days and then again at one and five months. A further 50 fragments were used to compare the best performing cement with the nail and cable tie method (25 fragments/method) and coral survival was assessed after one and four months. Costs: Transplanting nursery grown coral in 2019 cost $0.05/coral when using cement, $0.47 when using epoxy and $0.50 using the nail and cable tie method. Costs included materials only and did not include any shipping costs for materials.
Study and other actions testedA replicated study in 2012–2018 at around 68 coral reef sites across the Florida reef tract, USA (van Woesik et al. 2021) found that after transplanting nursery-grown staghorn corals Acropora cervicornis fragments on to natural substrates, medium and large fragments had higher survival than small fragments, and survival increased with latitude. Survival was higher for medium and larger coral fragments (65–67 % after 800 days) than smaller fragments (51% after 800 days). Survival increased with latitude of transplant site (48% at 24.5°N, 85% at 26.5°N after 800 days). In addition, authors reported differences in survival due to the specific reef habitat but no differences in survival due to attachment method or genetic diversity of coral transplants. Authors collated data from six coral transplanting programs on survival for a total of 22,634 corals transplanted in 2012–2018 (405–15,917 corals/program). Corals were raised in nurseries along the Florida reef tract and transplanted out to six natural reef habitats using nails and cable ties or epoxy. Survival was monitored one month and one-year post-transplant, and at some sites annually for four years. Corals were grouped by size (small: 1–15 cm, medium: 16–50 cm, large: 51–160 cm) for analysis.
Study and other actions testedA replicated study in 2017–2018 at two reef sites and an in-situ nursery site on the Florida Reef Tract, USA (Henry et al. 2021) reported that transplanting nursery-grown staghorn coral Acropora cervicornis onto natural substrates resulted in survival and growth over at least 480 days. Overall, 83 of 120 transplanted colonies (69%) survived for at least 480 days. Survival differed across sites, with highest survival in the nursery (98% of 40 survived), followed by Tennessee reef (83% of 40), then Cheeca rocks (28% of 40). Colonies grew at all sites, and average size after 480 days ranged from 99–156 cm3 at reef sites to 12,720 cm3 at the nursery site. Egg/sperm bundles were gathered from an in-situ nursery, settled on tiles, and moved to an ex-situ aquaculture facility where they were allowed to grow for 20 months. Three transplant sites were selected: two reefs, and one in-situ nursery. In 2017, corals were fragmented, and 40 fragments/site were attached directly to the reef using a masonry nail, epoxy and cable tie. Colonies were monitored approximately two weeks, one month, three, six, and sixteen months after transplanting.
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This Action forms part of the Action Synopsis:
Coral ConservationRelated Actions
| Actions | Effectiveness | Studies | Category | |
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Transplant nursery-grown coral fragments onto artificial substrate Action Link |
Awaiting assessment | 15 |
Synopsis Link |
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Remove problematic species Action Link |
Awaiting assessment | 7 |
Synopsis Link |
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Transplant nursery-grown coral onto natural substrate Action Link |
Awaiting assessment | 22 |
Synopsis Link |
Coral Conservation - Published 2024
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