Storm-generated coral fragments - A viable source of transplants for reef rehabilitation

Published source details Garrison V. & Ward G. (2008) Storm-generated coral fragments - A viable source of transplants for reef rehabilitation. Biological Conservation, 141, 3089-3100.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Transplant wild grown coral onto natural substrate Action Link

Transplant wild grown coral onto natural substrate

A replicated, controlled study in 1999–2004 at four reefs around St John’s Island, US Virgin Islands (Garrison & Ward 2008), found that transplanting storm-generated fragments of elkhorn Acropora palmata, staghorn Acropora cervicornis and finger Porites porites corals onto degraded coral substrate led to mixed results for survival compared to existing coral colonies. After five years, survival of transplanted elkhorn coral (20%) was lower than existing (53%) corals, but staghorn (transplanted: 0%, existing: 6%) and finger (transplanted: 27%, existing: 13%) corals did not differ significantly from existing coral. In July 1999, storm-generated fragments of elkhorn (15), staghorn (30) and finger (15) corals were collected from 1–3 m deep at two sites. These were transported 1–5 km to recipient reefs and attached to dead, upright coral skeletons (mostly elkhorn) using nylon cable ties. Fragments were placed near existing colonies of the same species for comparison (15 elkhorn, 45 staghorn and 15 finger corals). Each colony was photographed, sketched, and live tissue on each branch and base was measured every six months from 1999–2001 then annually until 2004. Dead or detached colonies were removed from the analysis. Transplantation cost $1,250 (2008 value), including materials, boat and scuba, and salary ($21/transplant with and $5/transplant without salary costs).

(Summarised by: Ann Thornton)