Study

Survival and sexual maturity of sexually propagated Acropora verweyi corals 4?years after outplantation

  • Published source details Ligson C.A. & Cabaitan P.C. (2021) Survival and sexual maturity of sexually propagated Acropora verweyi corals 4?years after outplantation. Restoration Ecology, 29, e13363.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Transplant nursery-grown coral onto natural substrate

Action Link
Coral Conservation
  1. Transplant nursery-grown coral onto natural substrate

    A replicated study in 2015–2019 in two coral reef sites in Lingayen Gulf, Philippines (Ligson et al. 2021, same experimental set-up as Ligson et al. 2020) found that transplanting nursery grown stony coral Acropora verweyi onto natural substrate resulted in 18% of corals surviving for four years, with higher survival for larger transplants at one of two sites. Survival was higher for larger transplanted corals than smaller corals at one site (22% of large vs 15% of small) but survival was similar at the other (15% of large vs 12% of small). Average diameter after four years was 16 cm and did not differ for larger or smaller transplanted corals. In 2015, eleven Acropora verweyi colonies were collected and transplanted to an ex-situ setting. All colonies were placed in a plastic tank for spawning, and egg/sperm bundles were collected and settled on dead coral rubble. Four months after fertilization, 240 pieces of coral rubble with a single coral colony (120 large: 1–2 cm at time of transplant; 120 small: 0.3–0.5 cm at time of transplant) were transplanted to one of two sites, distributed evenly between four bommies (coral outcrops) at each site and inserted into drilled holes with putty. Survival and size were assessed in June 2019, four years after transplant.

    (Summarised by: William Morgan)

Output references
What Works 2021 cover

What Works in Conservation

What Works in Conservation provides expert assessments of the effectiveness of actions, based on summarised evidence, in synopses. Subjects covered so far include amphibians, birds, mammals, forests, peatland and control of freshwater invasive species. More are in progress.

More about What Works in Conservation

Download free PDF or purchase
The Conservation Evidence Journal

The Conservation Evidence Journal

An online, free to publish in, open-access journal publishing results from research and projects that test the effectiveness of conservation actions.

Read the latest volume: Volume 21

Go to the CE Journal

Discover more on our blog

Our blog contains the latest news and updates from the Conservation Evidence team, the Conservation Evidence Journal, and our global partners in evidence-based conservation.


Who uses Conservation Evidence?

Meet some of the evidence champions

Endangered Landscape ProgrammeRed List Champion - Arc Kent Wildlife Trust The Rufford Foundation Mauritian Wildlife Supporting Conservation Leaders
Sustainability Dashboard National Biodiversity Network Frog Life The international journey of Conservation - Oryx Cool Farm Alliance UNEP AWFA Bat Conservation InternationalPeople trust for endangered species Vincet Wildlife Trust