Initial survival of coral nubbins transplanted by a new coral transplantation technology-options for reef rehabilitation

Published source details Treeck P.V. & Schuhmacher H. (1997) Initial survival of coral nubbins transplanted by a new coral transplantation technology-options for reef rehabilitation. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 150, 287-292.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Use electrical current to stimulate coral growth Action Link

Use electrical current to stimulate coral growth

A replicated study (year not given) in the Gulf of Aqaba, Jordan (van Treeck & Schuhmacher 1997), reported that using and electrical current to stimulate mineral formation resulted in all transplanted stony coral nubbins (small fragments) attaching to the substrate, but survival rates were species, but not depth-dependent. Eight weeks after transplanting, all coral nubbins were fully attached to the steel mesh cathodes. After three months, survival rate for all nubbins was over 80%, except Pocillopora damicornis at 6 m deep (16%) and Acropora squarrosa (reported on graph as Pocillopora damicornis) at 12 m (72%). Survival after seven months ranged from 0% (Polillopora damicornis at 6 m) to 96% (Acropora variabilis at 6 m and 18 m deep), and after 12 months (12 m depth only) survival ranged from 36% (Acropora squarrosa) to 72% (Acropora variabilis). Results were not statistically tested. A total of 400 nubbins from six stony coral species (Acropora variabilis, Acropora squarrosa, Stylophora pistillata, Pocillopora damicornis, Montipora danae, and Pavona varians) were collected from colonies near the experimental site. Four cathodes comprising 1 × 3 m non-galvanized 10 mm steel mesh squares were fixed horizontally to the natural coral rock at each of 1, 6, 12 and 18 m deep using steel wire. The anode (titanium mesh square) was suspended 20 cm above the cathode. Nubbins were attached to each square (25 from each of four of the six species/square; see paper for configuration). The cathode and anode were attached to a power supply and an electrical current was put through the squares for 18h/day for two months, then switched off. Attachment was recorded after two and eight weeks. Survival was recorded after three and seven months, and after 12 months just for 12 m depth.

(Summarised by: Ann Thornton)