Accounting for life-history strategies and timescales in marine restoration

Published source details Montero-Serra I., Garrabou J., Doak D.F., Figuerola L., Hereu B., Ledoux J.B. & Linares C. (2018) Accounting for life-history strategies and timescales in marine restoration. Conservation Letters, 11, e12341.
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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 study in 2003–2015 on a rocky substrate in the north-western Mediterranean (Montero-Serra et al. 2018) found that transplanted red coral Corallium rubrum showed similar survival, growth, and reproductive potential to natural colonies. Four years after transplanting, 99% of transplanted red coral colonies survived and the average annual survival rate, of 100% was similar to natural populations (100%). Most transplanted red coral colonies were <35 mm in height and there was no significant difference between transplanted and natural red coral growth rates (data reported on log scale). There was no significant difference in the proportion of fertile colonies (transplanted: 28%; natural 33%) or the average number of larvae/polyp (transplanted: 0.37; natural 0.28). In 2011, authorities seized 14.5 kg of illegally harvested red coral. Approximately 300 colonies from this seizure were transplanted onto a rocky wall, 15–17 m deep, and attached using epoxy putty. Four transect surveys were carried out immediately after transplanting, in May 2011, then again four years later. Survival rates were recorded using photographs. In June 2015, reproductive potential was measured by counting red coral larvae inside polyps of fertile females from a sample of 35 transplanted colonies and 35 adjacent natural colonies. Survival rates of natural red coral colonies were calculated using long-term data (2003–2011) on eight natural populations.

(Summarised by: Ann Thornton)