How Quickly do Fragments of Coral “Self‐Attach” after Transplantation?

Abstract

Transplantation of coral fragments is seen as a potential method to rapidly restore coral cover to areas of degraded reef; however, considerable research is still needed to assess the effectiveness of coral transplantation as a viable reef restoration tool. Initially, during restoration efforts, coral transplants are attached artificially. Self-attachment (i.e., growth of coral tissue onto the substrate) provides a more secure and lasting bond, thus knowledge about self-attachment times for corals is of importance to reef restoration. While it is known that coral fragments may generate new tissue and bond to substrata within a few weeks of transplantation, surprisingly little is known about the speed of self-attachment for most species. Two independent experiments were carried out to examine the self-attachment times of 12 scleractinian and one nonscleractinian coral species to a natural calcium carbonate substrate. The first experiment examined times to self-attachment in 11 species of differing morphologies from seven families over approximately 7 months, whereas the second experiment examined three fast-attaching Acropora species over approximately 1 month. In the first experiment, the branching species Acropora muricata had a significantly faster self-attachment time compared to all other species, while Echinopora lamellosa had the slowest self-attachment time. For the second experiment, A. muricata was significantly slower to self-attach than Acropora hyacinthus (tabular) and Acropora digitifera (corymbose-digitate). The results suggest that a combination of factors including growth rates, growth form and life history may determine how quickly fragments of coral species self-attach after fragmentation and transplantation.

Enhancing the biodiversity of coastal defence structures: transplantation of nursery-reared reef biota onto intertidal seawalls

“…Self-attachment, a process in which the organism forms new tissue over the substratum, is critical in coral reef rehabilitation projects as a strong bond is formed so that the chances of detachment are reduced and survival rates of transplants are improved (Guest et al, 2011). This is commonly facilitated with the use of marine epoxy, which easily binds to the skeletal framework of hard coral colonies or fragments and allows them time to selfattach onto the substratum (Dizon et al, 2008).…”

Assessing an abridged nursery phase for slow growing corals used in coral restoration

“…Attachment of coral fragments, while not the foremost important criterion in coral restoration emerges as an essential consideration for survival after transplantation, as detached corals are more prone to tissue damage and abrasion causing mortality (Bowden-Kerby, 2001;Guest et al, 2011). For fast growing, highly fragmenting species like members of the Acroporidae and Pocilloporidae, fragmentation and subsequent reattachment is an important life strategy that sometimes determines species' spatial coverage and distribution (e.g., thicket formation; Highsmith, 1982).…”

Growth of Favia and Favites Coral Transplants Based on Polyps Number (Pertumbuhan Karang Transplan Genus Favia dan Favites Berdasarkan Jumlah Polip)

“…Penelitian transplantasi selama ini banyak difokuskan untuk mengetahui kelulushidupan transplan, laju pertumbuhan transplan, metode transplantasi yang digunakan dan ukuran awal fragmen karang yang akan ditransplantasikan (Omori dan Fujiwara, 2004;Guest et al, 2009). Berbagai jenis karang telah dicoba untuk ditransplantasikan, namun setelah 4 tahun tingkat kelulushidupan rata-rata hanya berkisar 20% (Omori dan Fujiwara, 2004).…”

“…Bentuk pertumbuhan karang transplan yang masif menyebabkan karang transplan tumbuh ke arah horizontal dengan polip membesar dan mulai menjalarnya jaringan baru ke substrat tanam setelah tertutupnya luka akibat pemotongan. Hasil serupa ditunjukkan penelitian Guest et al (2009) (Philipp dan Fabricius, 2003) besar, diameter satu koloni dapat mencapai lebih dari 40 cm (Veron, 2000). Teknik pemotongan yang salah dapat menyebabkan struktur koloni hancur dalam sekejap.…”