Study

Effects of artificial settlement plate materials and methods of deployment on the sessile epibenthic community development in a tropical environment

  • Published source details Field S.N., Glassom D. & Bythell J. (2007) Effects of artificial settlement plate materials and methods of deployment on the sessile epibenthic community development in a tropical environment. Coral Reefs, 26, 279-289.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Use settlement tiles made from unnatural materials to encourage natural coral settlement

Action Link
Coral Conservation

Use settlement tiles made from unnatural materials to encourage natural coral settlement

Action Link
Coral Conservation
  1. Use settlement tiles made from unnatural materials to encourage natural coral settlement

    A replicated study in 1999–2001 at a shallow reef in Eilat, Israel (6a) found that using unglazed ceramic settlement tiles resulted in a higher number of naturally settled hard coral spat (settled larvae) compared to brick tiles but only during the third survey period and no difference in the number of naturally settled soft coral spat. Four months after the third deployment of tiles, there were 255 hard coral and 153 soft coral spat on 66 tiles. Numbers of naturally settled hard coral spat were higher on ceramic tiles (4 – 10/100 cm2) compared to brick tiles (3 – 4/100 cm2). There was no difference for soft coral spat (ceramic: 1 – 2/100 cm2; brick: 1 – 2/100 cm2). There were 34 hard and 81 soft coral spat recorded four months after the second deployment of tiles but no difference between ceramic or brick tiles. No coral spat was recorded during the first survey period. In November 1999, June 2000, and March 2001, nine unglazed ceramic (100 × 100 × 5 mm) and nine fired brick (115 × 115 × 25 mm) settlement tiles were fixed to the substrate using masonry plugs, and nine of each type attached to one of three wire racks. Tiles were placed 10 – 20 mm (masonry plug) or 200 – 400 mm (wire rack), above the substrate, 5 m deep. Tiles were recovered and replaced four months after each deployment. Coral spat was counted and species groups recorded using a dissecting microscope.

    (Summarised by: Ann Thornton)

  2. Use settlement tiles made from unnatural materials to encourage natural coral settlement

    A replicated study in 1999–2001 at a shallow reef in Eilat, Israel (Field et al. 2007) found that settlement tiles attached to wire racks had a higher number of naturally settled hard coral spat (settled larvae) compared to tiles attached to the substrate but only during the third survey period and no difference in the number of naturally settled soft coral spat. Four months after the third deployment of tiles, there were 255 hard coral and 153 soft coral spat on 66 tiles. Numbers of naturally settled coral spat were higher on tiles attached to a wire rack (4 – 10/100 cm2) compared to tiles attached directly to the substrate (3– 4/100 cm2). There was no difference for soft coral spat (wire rack: 1 – 2; substrate: 1 – 2/100cm2). There were 34 hard and 81 soft coral spat recorded four months after the second deployment of tiles but no difference between tiles on the rack or the substrate. No coral spat was recorded during the first survey period. In November 1999, June 2000, and March 2001, eighteen settlement tiles (nine 100 × 100 × 5 mm unglazed ceramic; nine 115 × 115 × 25 mm fired brick) were attached using cable ties to one of three wire racks fixed 200–400 mm above the substrate at a 45° angle, 5 m deep. Eighteen tiles were attached to the substrate 5 m deep using masonry plugs leaving a gap of 10 – 20 mm. Tiles were recovered and replaced after four months. Coral spat was counted and species groups recorded using a dissecting microscope.

    (Summarised by: Ann Thornton)

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