Enhancement of grazing gastropod populations as a coral reef restoration tool: Predation effects and related applied implications
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Published source details
Villanueva R.D., Edwards A.J. & Bell J.D. (2010) Enhancement of grazing gastropod populations as a coral reef restoration tool: Predation effects and related applied implications. Restoration Ecology, 18, 803-809.
Published source details Villanueva R.D., Edwards A.J. & Bell J.D. (2010) Enhancement of grazing gastropod populations as a coral reef restoration tool: Predation effects and related applied implications. Restoration Ecology, 18, 803-809.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Remove problematic species Action Link |
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Transplant nursery-grown coral fragments onto artificial substrate Action Link |
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Remove problematic species
A replicated, controlled study in 2007 near a coral reef in Bolinao, northwestern Phillipines (Villanueva et al. 2010) found that adding topshell snails Trochus niloticus to control algal growth on artificial reef structures (some with transplanted stony coral fragments attached) did not lead to an increase in coral recruitment or survival rate of fragments compared to structures without topshells. Five months after transplanting, there was no significant difference in the average density of coral spat (settled larvae) on structures with (8 – 30 spat/m2) and without topshells (16–22/m2), or survival rate for fragments (data not reported). Overall, survival rate ranged from 51% (Acropora muricata) to 97% (Montipora digitata). A total of 2,189 coral spat were recorded; 85% pocilloporids, 8% poritids, 4% acroporids, and 6% unidentifiable. In January 2007, forty-two concrete pallet balls (1.2 m diameter, 0.9 m high) (see paper for full design) were placed 4-8 m deep on sandy substrate 3-5 m from a natural coral reef. Ten topshells were added to each of 21 of the balls. Each pallet ball also had zero, 25 (5/species) or 50 (10/species) nursery reared stony coral Pocillopora damicornis, Acropora muricata, Porites cylindrica, Montipora digitata, and Echinopora lamellosa fragments attached. Coral spat was counted on each pallet ball after approximately five months. Survival was recorded after six months.
(Summarised by: Ann Thornton)
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Transplant nursery-grown coral fragments onto artificial substrate
A replicated, controlled study in 2007 near a coral reef in Bolinao, northwestern Philippines (Villanueva et al. 2010) found that transplanting stony coral fragments on concrete reef structures at higher densities (with or without topshell snails Trochus niloticus added) did not lead to higher natural coral settlement. Five months after transplanting, there was no significant difference in the average density of coral spat (settled larvae) on structures with fragments transplanted at high density (with topshells: 8/m2; without topshells: 22/m2), low density (with and without topshells: 19/m2), or with no transplanted fragments (with topshells: 30 spat/m2; without topshells 16/m2). Overall, a total of 2,189 coral spat were recorded with 85% being pocilloporids, 8% poritids, 4% acroporids and 6% unidentifiable. In January 2007, nursery-reared fragments (~5 cm diameter) from five stony coral species (Pocillopora damicornis, Acropora muricata, Porites cylindrica, Montipora digitata, and Echinopora lamellosa) were transplanted onto 42 concrete pallet balls (1.2 m diameter, 0.9 m high) (see paper for full design). Fragments were transplanted onto 14 pallet balls at low density (five fragments/species/ball: 9.5 fragments/m2) and 14 at high density (10 fragments/species/ball: 19 fragments/m2) fragments. The final 14 balls had no fragments attached (as a control). Half the pallet balls also had topshell snails added (10/ball). Pallet balls were placed 4–8 m deep on sandy substrate 3–5 m from a natural coral reef. Coral spat was counted on each pallet ball after approximately five months.
(Summarised by: Ann Thornton)
