Demographics and dynamics of two restored populations of the threatened reef-building coral Acropora cervicornis
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Published source details
Mercado-Molina A.E., Ruiz-Diaz C.P. & Sabat A.M. (2015) Demographics and dynamics of two restored populations of the threatened reef-building coral Acropora cervicornis. Journal for Nature Conservation, 24, 17-23.
Published source details Mercado-Molina A.E., Ruiz-Diaz C.P. & Sabat A.M. (2015) Demographics and dynamics of two restored populations of the threatened reef-building coral Acropora cervicornis. Journal for Nature Conservation, 24, 17-23.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Transplant nursery-grown coral onto natural substrate Action Link |
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Transplant nursery-grown coral onto natural substrate
A 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.
(Summarised by: Eleanor Bladon)
Output references
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