Strategies for integrating sexually propagated corals into Caribbean reef restoration: Experimental results and considerations
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Published source details
Henry J.A., O'Neil K.L., Pilnick A.R. & Patterson J.T. (2021) Strategies for integrating sexually propagated corals into Caribbean reef restoration: Experimental results and considerations. Coral Reefs, 40, 1667-1677.
Published source details Henry J.A., O'Neil K.L., Pilnick A.R. & Patterson J.T. (2021) Strategies for integrating sexually propagated corals into Caribbean reef restoration: Experimental results and considerations. Coral Reefs, 40, 1667-1677.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Transplant nursery-grown coral fragments onto artificial substrate Action Link |
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Transplant nursery-grown coral onto natural substrate Action Link |
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Transplant nursery-grown coral fragments onto artificial substrate
A replicated study in 2018–2019 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 artificial substrates resulted in survival and growth over at least 480 days. Overall, 107 transplanted colonies (89%) survived for at least 480 days, and survival was similar at all sites (85–95% of 40 survived). Colonies grew at all sites, and average size after 480 days ranged from 156–229 cm3 at reef sites to 2,330 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 eight months. Three transplant sites were selected: two reefs, and one in-situ nursery. In 2018, recruits were grown on 3 × 3 cm ceramic tiles, and 40 fragments/site were transplanted. Tiles were mounted to an argonite and concrete pyramid with epoxy, which was then affixed to the reef. Colonies were monitored approximately two weeks, one month, three, six, and sixteen months after transplanting.
(Summarised by: William Morgan)
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Transplant nursery-grown coral onto natural substrate
A 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.
(Summarised by: William Morgan)
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