Study

Modeling and monitoring tools to assess recovery status and convergence rates between restored and undisturbed coral reef habitats

  • Published source details Lirman D. & Miller M.W. (2003) Modeling and monitoring tools to assess recovery status and convergence rates between restored and undisturbed coral reef habitats. Restoration Ecology, 11, 448-456.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Use structures made from unnatural materials to restore / repair / create habitat for corals to encourage natural coral settlement

Action Link
Coral Conservation
  1. Use structures made from unnatural materials to restore / repair / create habitat for corals to encourage natural coral settlement

    A site comparison study in 1995, and 1998–2001 at two damaged coral reefs in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, USA (Lirman & Miller 2003) found that using concrete armor or limerock boulders to repair the reefs led to natural settlement by corals with 70-80% of species the same as on nearby natural reefs, but the diameter of stony coral Porites asteroides colonies was lower, and density did not differ between restored and natural reefs. Six years after the artificial structures were installed, 80% of species recorded on concrete armor and 70% of species on limerock boulders were also found on the adjacent natural reefs. Average colony diameter of P. asteroides increased from 14 mm (concrete armor) and 18 mm (limerock boulder) in 1998 to 22 mm (concrete) and 23 mm (limerock) in 2001, but was smaller in 2001 than colonies on the adjacent natural reefs (adjacent to concrete 85 mm; adjacent to limerock: 34 mm). Average density of P. asteroids increased on the concrete armor reef from 2.1 colonies/m2 in 1998 to 4.5/m2 in 2001 whereas average density was unchanged on limerock boulders (1.4/m2 both years). Average density was not significantly different between either concrete armor or limerock boulders and their adjacent natural reefs (concrete armor: 4.5, adjacent reef: 5.4 colonies/m2; limerock boulders: 1.4; adjacent reef 0.9 colonies/m2). In 1995, six years after two ships (M/V Maitland and M/V Elpis) ran aground, artificial structures comprising 12 concrete armor blocks (Maitland site) and 16 limerock boulders (Elpis site) were installed to repair the damaged reef. The artificial reefs were monitored to record natural settlement by coral species. Density and diameter of P. asteroides were recorded in 1998 and 2001 and compared, in 2001, to P. asteroides colonies on natural reefs approximately 25 m away.

    (Summarised by: Ann Thornton)

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