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Miller MW, Mendoza Quiroz S, Lachs L, Banaszak AT, Chamberland VF, Guest JR, Gutting AN, Latijnhouwers KRW, Sellares-Blasco RI, Virdis F, Villalpando MF, Petersen D. Assisted sexual coral recruits show high thermal tolerance to the 2023 Caribbean mass bleaching event. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0309719. [PMID: 39292637 PMCID: PMC11410220 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0309719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Assisted sexual coral propagation, resulting in greater genet diversity via genetic recombination, has been hypothesized to lead to more adaptable and, hence, resilient restored populations compared to more common clonal techniques. Coral restoration efforts have resulted in substantial populations of 'Assisted sexual Recruits' (i.e., juvenile corals derived from assisted sexual reproduction; AR) of multiple species outplanted to reefs or held in in situ nurseries across many locations in the Caribbean. These AR populations provided context to evaluate their relative resilience compared to co-occurring coral populations during the 2023 marine heat wave of unprecedented duration and intensity that affected the entire Caribbean. Populations of six species of AR, most ranging in age from 1-4 years, were surveyed across five regions during the mass bleaching season in 2023 (Aug-Dec), alongside co-occurring groups of corals to compare prevalence of bleaching and related mortality. Comparison groups included conspecific adult colonies as available, but also the extant co-occurring coral assemblages in which conspecifics were rare or lacking, as well as small, propagated coral fragments. Assisted sexual recruits had significantly lower prevalence of bleaching impacts (overall pooled ~ 10%) than conspecific coral populations typically comprised of larger colonies (~ 60-100% depending on species). In addition, small corals derived from fragmentation (rather than sexual propagation) in two regions showed bleaching susceptibility intermediate between AR and wild adults. Overall, AR exhibited high bleaching resistance under heat stress exposure up to and exceeding Degree Heating Weeks of 20°C-weeks. As coral reefs throughout the globe are subject to increasingly frequent and intense marine heatwaves, restoration activities that include sexual reproduction and seeding can make an important contribution to sustain coral populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sandra Mendoza Quiroz
- SECORE International, Miami, FL, United States of America
- Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, México
| | - Liam Lachs
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Anastazia T Banaszak
- Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, México
| | - Valérie F Chamberland
- SECORE International, Miami, FL, United States of America
- CARMABI Foundation, Willemstad, Curaçao
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - James R Guest
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | | | - Kelly R W Latijnhouwers
- SECORE International, Miami, FL, United States of America
- CARMABI Foundation, Willemstad, Curaçao
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Francesca Virdis
- Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire (RRFB), Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands
| | - Maria F Villalpando
- Fundación Dominicana de Estudios Marinos (FUNDEMAR), Bayahíbe, Dominican Republic
| | - Dirk Petersen
- SECORE International, Miami, FL, United States of America
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Mendoza Quiroz S, Beltrán-Torres AU, Grosso-Becerra MV, Muñoz Villareal D, Tecalco Rentería R, Banaszak AT. Long-term survival, growth, and reproduction of Acropora palmata sexual recruits outplanted onto Mexican Caribbean reefs. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15813. [PMID: 37547720 PMCID: PMC10402697 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Acropora palmata is a foundational yet endangered Caribbean reef-building coral species. The lack of recovery after a disease outbreak and low recruitment has led to widespread use of fragmentation to restore populations. Another option is the production of sexual recruits (settlers) via assisted reproduction to improve the genetic diversity of depleted populations; however, the viability of this approach has not been tested over the long term. In 2011 and 2012, A. palmata larvae were cultured, settled, and the sexual recruits raised in an ex-situ nursery. Survival and growth were monitored over time. In 2014, these two F1 cohorts were moved to an in-situ nursery and after one year, a subset (29 colonies) was outplanted onto Cuevones Reef in the Mexican Caribbean. Growth and survival of these colonies were monitored periodically and compared to colonies that remained in the in-situ nursery. In 2019, samples were collected and analyzed for fertility and fecundity. 53% of the colonies were gravid and fecundity was 5.61 ± 1.91 oocytes and 3.04 ± 0.26 spermaries per polyp. A further 14 colonies from these two cohorts were outplanted in 2020 onto Picudas Reef and monitored during the subsequent spawning seasons. Two years after outplanting onto Picudas Reef, all colonies were alive and spawning of three of these colonies was recorded in 2022 in synchrony with the wild population. Gametes were collected from two colonies and crossed, with 15% fertilization success. Spermatozoa from wild colonies were then added and fertilization success increased to 95%. The resultant larvae followed normal development and symbiont uptake was visible within two weeks. The F2 generation was settled, maintained in an ex-situ nursery, and monitored for survival and growth. Both F1 and F2 generations followed a Type III survival curve with high initial mortality while in the ex-situ nursery and low later-stage mortality. The growth rates of these colonies increased three-fold after outplanting when compared to their growth rates in the ex-situ and in-situ nurseries. All colonies survived while in the in-situ nursery and for an additional nine years after outplanting onto Cuevones Reef. Overall, our results show that colonies produced by assisted breeding, once outplanted, may contribute to the genetic diversity and establishment of self-sustaining sexually-reproducing populations, which is an overarching goal of coral restoration programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Mendoza Quiroz
- SECORE International, Miami, FL, United States of America
- Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | | | - Maria Victoria Grosso-Becerra
- Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | | | - Raúl Tecalco Rentería
- SECORE International, Miami, FL, United States of America
- Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | - Anastazia T. Banaszak
- Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico
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3
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McLeod IM, Hein MY, Babcock R, Bay L, Bourne DG, Cook N, Doropoulos C, Gibbs M, Harrison P, Lockie S, van Oppen MJH, Mattocks N, Page CA, Randall CJ, Smith A, Smith HA, Suggett DJ, Taylor B, Vella KJ, Wachenfeld D, Boström-Einarsson L. Coral restoration and adaptation in Australia: The first five years. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273325. [PMID: 36449458 PMCID: PMC9710771 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
While coral reefs in Australia have historically been a showcase of conventional management informed by research, recent declines in coral cover have triggered efforts to innovate and integrate intervention and restoration actions into management frameworks. Here we outline the multi-faceted intervention approaches that have developed in Australia since 2017, from newly implemented in-water programs, research to enhance coral resilience and investigations into socio-economic perspectives on restoration goals. We describe in-water projects using coral gardening, substrate stabilisation, coral repositioning, macro-algae removal, and larval-based restoration techniques. Three areas of research focus are also presented to illustrate the breadth of Australian research on coral restoration, (1) the transdisciplinary Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program (RRAP), one of the world's largest research and development programs focused on coral reefs, (2) interventions to enhance coral performance under climate change, and (3) research into socio-cultural perspectives. Together, these projects and the recent research focus reflect an increasing urgency for action to confront the coral reef crisis, develop new and additional tools to manage coral reefs, and the consequent increase in funding opportunities and management appetite for implementation. The rapid progress in trialling and deploying coral restoration in Australia builds on decades of overseas experience, and advances in research and development are showing positive signs that coral restoration can be a valuable tool to improve resilience at local scales (i.e., high early survival rates across a variety of methods and coral species, strong community engagement with local stakeholders). RRAP is focused on creating interventions to help coral reefs at multiple scales, from micro scales (i.e., interventions targeting small areas within a specific reef site) to large scales (i.e., interventions targeting core ecosystem function and social-economic values at multiple select sites across the Great Barrier Reef) to resist, adapt to and recover from the impacts of climate change. None of these interventions aim to single-handedly restore the entirety of the Great Barrier Reef, nor do they negate the importance of urgent climate change mitigation action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian M. McLeod
- TropWATER (Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research), James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Margaux Y. Hein
- TropWATER (Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research), James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- MER Research and Consulting, The Office, Monaco, Monaco
- * E-mail:
| | - Russ Babcock
- CSIRO Oceans & Atmosphere, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Line Bay
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - David G. Bourne
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
| | - Nathan Cook
- TropWATER (Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research), James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- Reef Ecologic, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Mark Gibbs
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Peter Harrison
- Marine Ecology Research Centre, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Stewart Lockie
- The Cairns Institute, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
| | - Madeleine J. H. van Oppen
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Neil Mattocks
- Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Cathie A. Page
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Carly J. Randall
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Adam Smith
- TropWATER (Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research), James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- Reef Ecologic, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Hillary A. Smith
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David J. Suggett
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Bruce Taylor
- Land & Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Dutton Park, Queensland, Australia
| | - Karen J. Vella
- School of Architecture and Built Environment, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - David Wachenfeld
- Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Lisa Boström-Einarsson
- TropWATER (Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research), James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, Lancaster, United Kingdom
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4
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Contrasting reproductive strategies of two Hawaiian Montipora corals. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12255. [PMID: 35851072 PMCID: PMC9293913 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16032-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Sessile invertebrates often engage in synchronized spawning events to increase likelihood of fertilization. Although coral reefs are well studied, the reproductive behavior of most species and the relative influence of various environmental cues that drive reproduction are not well understood. We conducted a comparative examination of the reproduction of the well-studied Hawaiian coral Montipora capitata and the relatively unknown reproduction of its congener, Montipora flabellata. Both are simultaneous hermaphroditic broadcast spawners that release egg-sperm bundles with external fertilization. Montipora capitata had a distinct reproductive pattern that resulted in coordinated gamete maturation and the synchronized release of thousands of egg-sperm bundles across two spawning pulses tightly coupled to consecutive new moon phases in June and July. Montipora flabellata exhibited a four month reproductive season with spawning that was four-fold less synchronous than M. capitata; its spawning was aperiodic with little linkage to moon phase, a broadly distributed release of only dozens or hundreds of bundles over multiple nights, and a spawning period that ranged from late June through September. The reproductive strategy of M. flabellata might prove detrimental under climate change if increased frequency and severity of bleaching events leave it sparsely populated and local stressors continue to degrade its habitat.
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Randall CJ, Giuliano C, Allen K, Bickel A, Miller M, Negri AP. Site mediates performance in a coral seeding trial. Restor Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Katie Allen
- Australian Institute of Marine Science Townsville QLD Australia
| | | | | | - Andrew P. Negri
- Australian Institute of Marine Science Townsville QLD Australia
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Henley EM, Bouwmeester J, Jury CP, Toonen RJ, Quinn M, Lager CV, Hagedorn M. Growth and survival among Hawaiian corals outplanted from tanks to an ocean nursery are driven by individual genotype and species differences rather than preconditioning to thermal stress. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13112. [PMID: 35345587 PMCID: PMC8957268 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The drastic decline in coral coverage has stimulated an interest in reef restoration, and various iterations of coral nurseries have been used to augment restoration strategies. Here we examine the growth of two species of Hawaiian Montipora that were maintained in mesocosms under either ambient or warmed annual bleaching conditions for two consecutive years prior to outplanting to determine whether preconditioning aided coral restoration efforts. Using coral trees to create a nearby ocean nursery, we examined whether: (1) previous ex situ mesocosm growth would mirror in situ coral tree nursery growth; and (2) thermal ex situ stress-hardening would predict future success during natural warming events in situ for corals moved from tanks to trees. For Montipora capitata, we found that variation in growth was explained primarily by genotype; growth rates in the mesocosms were similar to those in situ, irrespective of preconditioning. Variation in M. flabellata growth, however, was explained by both genotype and culture method such that an individual M. flabellata colony that grew well in the tanks did not necessarily perform as well on the coral trees. For both species, previous exposure to elevated temperatures in the mesocosms provided no benefit to either growth or survival during a warming event in the coral tree nursery compared to those grown in ambient temperatures. Overall, M. capitata performed better in the tree nursery with higher net growth, lower mortality, and was subject to less predation than M. flabellata. Our results show little benefit of the additional cost and time of stress-hardening these corals prior to outplanting because it is unlikely to aid resilience to future warming events. These results also suggest that selecting corals for restoration based on long-term genotype growth performance may be more effective for optimal outcomes but should be weighed against other factors, such as coral morphology, in situ nursery method, location, and other characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- E. Michael Henley
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Smithsonian Institution, Front Royal, Virginia, United States,Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Kāne‘ohe, Hawai‘i, United States
| | - Jessica Bouwmeester
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Smithsonian Institution, Front Royal, Virginia, United States,Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Kāne‘ohe, Hawai‘i, United States
| | - Christopher P. Jury
- Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Kāne‘ohe, Hawai‘i, United States
| | - Robert J. Toonen
- Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Kāne‘ohe, Hawai‘i, United States
| | - Mariko Quinn
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Smithsonian Institution, Front Royal, Virginia, United States,Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Kāne‘ohe, Hawai‘i, United States
| | - Claire V.A. Lager
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Smithsonian Institution, Front Royal, Virginia, United States,Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Kāne‘ohe, Hawai‘i, United States
| | - Mary Hagedorn
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Smithsonian Institution, Front Royal, Virginia, United States,Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Kāne‘ohe, Hawai‘i, United States
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7
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Will coral reefs survive by adaptive bleaching? Emerg Top Life Sci 2021; 6:11-15. [PMID: 34881775 DOI: 10.1042/etls20210227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Some reef-building corals form symbioses with multiple algal partners that differ in ecologically important traits like heat tolerance. Coral bleaching and recovery can drive symbiont community turnover toward more heat-tolerant partners, and this 'adaptive bleaching' response can increase future bleaching thresholds by 1-2°C, aiding survival in warming oceans. However, this mechanism of rapid acclimatization only occurs in corals that are compatible with multiple symbionts, and only when the disturbance regime and competitive dynamics among symbionts are sufficient to bring about community turnover. The full scope of coral taxa and ecological scenarios in which symbiont shuffling occurs remains poorly understood, though its prevalence is likely to increase as warming oceans boost the competitive advantage of heat-tolerant symbionts, increase the frequency of bleaching events, and strengthen metacommunity feedbacks. Still, the constraints, limitations, and potential tradeoffs of symbiont shuffling suggest it will not save coral reef ecosystems; however, it may significantly improve the survival trajectories of some, or perhaps many, coral species. Interventions to manipulate coral symbionts and symbiont communities may expand the scope of their adaptive potential, which may boost coral survival until climate change is addressed.
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Ligson CA, Cabaitan PC. Survival and sexual maturity of sexually propagated
Acropora verweyi
corals 4 years after outplantation. Restor Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Charlon A. Ligson
- The Marine Science Institute University of the Philippines Diliman Quezon City 1101 Philippines
| | - Patrick C. Cabaitan
- The Marine Science Institute University of the Philippines Diliman Quezon City 1101 Philippines
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9
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dela Cruz DW, Harrison PL. Enhancing coral recruitment through assisted mass settlement of cultured coral larvae. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0242847. [PMID: 33232367 PMCID: PMC7685485 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The escalating rate at which coral communities are declining globally requires urgent intervention and new approaches to reef management to reduce and halt further coral loss. For reef systems with limited natural larval supply, the introduction of large numbers of competent coral larvae directly to natural reef substrata provides a potentially useful approach to replenish adult coral populations. While few experiments have tested this approach, only one experiment has demonstrated its long-term success to date. Given the differences in life-history traits among corals, and different sensitivities of larvae to abiotic and biotic factors, coupled with the dynamic nature of post-settlement survivorship and recruitment processes, trials of the larval enhancement technique with larvae of different coral species are needed to test the broader applicability and viability of this approach. Accordingly, in this paper we examine the applicability of the larval enhancement technique to restore a population of Acropora loripes in the Bolinao-Anda Reef Complex, Pangasinan, northwestern Philippines. Larvae were cultured ex situ following spawning of collected A. loripes colonies in June 2014. Competent larvae were transported to degraded reef areas and approximately 300,000 larvae were introduced in each of three 6 × 4 m plots directly on the reef. Fine mesh enclosures retained the larvae inside each treatment plot for five days. Three adjacent 6 × 4 m plots that served as controls were also covered with mesh enclosures, but no larvae were introduced. Each plot contained ten 10 × 10 cm conditioned settlement tiles cut from dead tabulate Acropora that were used to quantify initial larval settlement. After allowing larval settlement for five days, mean settlement on tiles from the larval enhancement plots that were monitored under stereomicroscopes was significantly higher (27.8 ± 6.7 spat per tile) than in control plots, in which not a single recruit was recorded. Post-settlement survivorship and growth of spat and coral recruits on tiles and reef substrata inside the experimental plots were monitored periodically for 35 months. After 35 months, the mean size of each of the remaining 47 A. loripes coral colonies surviving on the reef substrata was 438.1 ± 5.4 cm3, with a mean diameter of 7.9 ± 0.6 cm. The average production cost for each of the surviving A. loripes colonies at 35 months was USD 35.20. These colonies are expected to spawn and contribute to the natural larval pool when they become reproductively mature, thereby enhancing natural coral recovery in the area. This study demonstrates that mass coral larval enhancement can be successfully used for restoring populations of coral species with different life-history traits, and the techniques can rapidly increase larval recruitment rates on degraded reef areas, hence catalysing the regeneration of declining coral populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dexter W. dela Cruz
- Marine Ecology Research Centre, School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, New South Wales, Australia
- The Marine Science Institute, College of Science, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
- * E-mail:
| | - Peter L. Harrison
- Marine Ecology Research Centre, School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, New South Wales, Australia
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10
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Guan Y, Hohn S, Wild C, Merico A. Vulnerability of global coral reef habitat suitability to ocean warming, acidification and eutrophication. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2020; 26:5646-5660. [PMID: 32713061 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Coral reefs are threatened by global and local stressors. Yet, reefs appear to respond differently to different environmental stressors. Using a global dataset of coral reef occurrence as a proxy for the long-term adaptation of corals to environmental conditions in combination with global environmental data, we show here how global (warming: sea surface temperature; acidification: aragonite saturation state, Ωarag ) and local (eutrophication: nitrate concentration, and phosphate concentration) stressors influence coral reef habitat suitability. We analyse the relative distance of coral communities to their regional environmental optima. In addition, we calculate the expected change of coral reef habitat suitability across the tropics in relation to an increase of 0.1°C in temperature, an increase of 0.02 μmol/L in nitrate, an increase of 0.01 μmol/L in phosphate and a decrease of 0.04 in Ωarag . Our findings reveal that only 6% of the reefs worldwide will be unaffected by local and global stressors and can thus act as temporary refugia. Local stressors, driven by nutrient increase, will affect 22% of the reefs worldwide, whereas global stressors will affect 11% of these reefs. The remaining 61% of the reefs will be simultaneously affected by local and global stressors. Appropriate wastewater treatments can mitigate local eutrophication and could increase areas of temporary refugia to 28%, allowing us to 'buy time', while international agreements are found to abate global stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Guan
- Systems Ecology Group, Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research, Bremen, Germany
| | - Sönke Hohn
- Systems Ecology Group, Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research, Bremen, Germany
| | - Christian Wild
- Department Marine Ecology, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry (FB 2), University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Agostino Merico
- Systems Ecology Group, Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research, Bremen, Germany
- Department of Physics & Earth Sciences, Jacobs University, Bremen, Germany
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11
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Seraphim MJ, Sloman KA, Alexander ME, Janetski N, Jompa J, Ambo-Rappe R, Snellgrove D, Mars F, Harborne AR. Interactions between coral restoration and fish assemblages: implications for reef management. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2020; 97:633-655. [PMID: 32564370 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Corals create complex reef structures that provide both habitat and food for many fish species. Because of numerous natural and anthropogenic threats, many coral reefs are currently being degraded, endangering the fish assemblages they support. Coral reef restoration, an active ecological management tool, may help reverse some of the current trends in reef degradation through the transplantation of stony corals. Although restoration techniques have been extensively reviewed in relation to coral survival, our understanding of the effects of adding live coral cover and complexity on fishes is in its infancy with a lack of scientifically validated research. This study reviews the limited data on reef restoration and fish assemblages, and complements this with the more extensive understanding of complex interactions between natural reefs and fishes and how this might inform restoration efforts. It also discusses which key fish species or functional groups may promote, facilitate or inhibit restoration efforts and, in turn, how restoration efforts can be optimised to enhance coral fish assemblages. By highlighting critical knowledge gaps in relation to fishes and restoration interactions, the study aims to stimulate research into the role of reef fishes in restoration projects. A greater understanding of the functional roles of reef fishes would also help inform whether restoration projects can return fish assemblages to their natural compositions or whether alternative species compositions develop, and over what timeframe. Although alleviation of local and global reef stressors remains a priority, reef restoration is an important tool; an increased understanding of the interactions between replanted corals and the fishes they support is critical for ensuring its success for people and nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie J Seraphim
- School of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, UK
| | - Katherine A Sloman
- School of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, UK
| | - Mhairi E Alexander
- School of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, UK
| | | | - Jamaluddin Jompa
- Faculty of Marine Science and Fisheries, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
| | - Rohani Ambo-Rappe
- Faculty of Marine Science and Fisheries, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
| | - Donna Snellgrove
- Waltham Petcare Science Institute, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, UK
| | | | - Alastair R Harborne
- Institute of Environment and Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, North Miami, Florida, USA
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12
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Coral Disease Causes, Consequences, and Risk within Coral Restoration. Trends Microbiol 2020; 28:793-807. [PMID: 32739101 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2020.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
As a result of increased reef degradation, restoration efforts are now being widely applied on coral reefs. However, outplanted coral survival in restoration zones varies substantially, and coral mortality can be a significant limitation to the success of restoration efforts. With reef restoration now occurring within, and adjacent to, nationally preserved and managed marine parks, the potential risks of mortality events and disease spread to adjacent marine populations need to be considered, particularly as these ecosystems continue to decline. We review the causes and consequences of coral mortality and disease outbreaks within the context of coral restoration, highlighting knowledge gaps in our understanding of the restored coral microbiome and discussing management practices for assessing coral disease. We identify the need for research efforts into monitoring and diagnostics of disease within coral restoration, as well as practices to mitigate and manage coral disease risks in restoration.
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13
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Cleary DFR, Polónia ARM, Huang YM, Swierts T. Compositional variation between high and low prokaryotic diversity coral reef biotopes translates to different predicted metagenomic gene content. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 2019; 113:563-587. [PMID: 31802337 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-019-01364-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
In a previous study, we identified host species that housed high and low diversity prokaryotic communities. In the present study, we expand on this and assessed the prokaryotic communities associated with seawater, sediment and 11 host species from 7 different phyla in a Taiwanese coral reef setting. The host taxa sampled included hard, octo- and black corals, molluscs, bryozoans, flatworms, fish and sea urchins. There were highly significant differences in composition among host species and all host species housed distinct communities from those found in seawater and sediment. In a hierarchical clustering analysis, samples from all host species, with the exception of the coral Galaxea astreata, formed significantly supported clusters. In addition to this, the coral G. astreata and the bryozoan Triphyllozoon inornatum on the one hand and the coral Tubastraea coccinea, the hermit crab Calcinus laevimanus and the flatworm Thysanozoon nigropapillosum on the other formed significantly supported clusters. In addition to composition, there were highly pronounced differences in richness and evenness among host species from the most diverse species, the bryozoan T. inornatum at 2518 ± 240 OTUs per 10,000 sequences to the least diverse species, the octocoral Cladiella sp. at 142 ± 14 OTUs per 10,000 sequences. In line with the differences in composition, there were significant differences in predicted metagenomic gene counts among host species. Furthermore, there were pronounced compositional and predicted functional differences between high diversity hosts (Liolophura japonica, G. astreata, T. coccinea, C. laevimanus, T. inornatum) and low diversity hosts (Antipathes sp., Pomacentrus coelestis, Modiolus auriculatus, T. nigropapillosum, Cladiella sp. and Diadema savigny). In particular, we found that all tested low diversity hosts were predicted to be enriched for the phosphotransferase system compared to high diversity hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel F R Cleary
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Ana Rita M Polónia
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Yusheng M Huang
- Tropical Island Sustainable Development Research Center, National Penghu University of Science and Technology, Penghu, Taiwan.,Department of Marine Recreation, University of Science and Technology, Penghu, Taiwan
| | - Thomas Swierts
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Baums IB, Baker AC, Davies SW, Grottoli AG, Kenkel CD, Kitchen SA, Kuffner IB, LaJeunesse TC, Matz MV, Miller MW, Parkinson JE, Shantz AA. Considerations for maximizing the adaptive potential of restored coral populations in the western Atlantic. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2019; 29:e01978. [PMID: 31332879 PMCID: PMC6916196 DOI: 10.1002/eap.1978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Revised: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Active coral restoration typically involves two interventions: crossing gametes to facilitate sexual larval propagation; and fragmenting, growing, and outplanting adult colonies to enhance asexual propagation. From an evolutionary perspective, the goal of these efforts is to establish self-sustaining, sexually reproducing coral populations that have sufficient genetic and phenotypic variation to adapt to changing environments. Here, we provide concrete guidelines to help restoration practitioners meet this goal for most Caribbean species of interest. To enable the persistence of coral populations exposed to severe selection pressure from many stressors, a mixed provenance strategy is suggested: genetically unique colonies (genets) should be sourced both locally as well as from more distant, environmentally distinct sites. Sourcing three to four genets per reef along environmental gradients should be sufficient to capture a majority of intraspecies genetic diversity. It is best for practitioners to propagate genets with one or more phenotypic traits that are predicted to be valuable in the future, such as low partial mortality, high wound healing rate, high skeletal growth rate, bleaching resilience, infectious disease resilience, and high sexual reproductive output. Some effort should also be reserved for underperforming genets because colonies that grow poorly in nurseries sometimes thrive once returned to the reef and may harbor genetic variants with as yet unrecognized value. Outplants should be clustered in groups of four to six genets to enable successful fertilization upon maturation. Current evidence indicates that translocating genets among distant reefs is unlikely to be problematic from a population genetic perspective but will likely provide substantial adaptive benefits. Similarly, inbreeding depression is not a concern given that current practices only raise first-generation offspring. Thus, proceeding with the proposed management strategies even in the absence of a detailed population genetic analysis of the focal species at sites targeted for restoration is the best course of action. These basic guidelines should help maximize the adaptive potential of reef-building corals facing a rapidly changing environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iliana B. Baums
- Department of BiologyPennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvania16803USA
| | - Andrew C. Baker
- Department of Marine Biology and EcologyRosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric ScienceUniversity of MiamiMiamiFlorida33149USA
| | - Sarah W. Davies
- Department of BiologyBoston UniversityBostonMassachusetts02215USA
| | | | - Carly D. Kenkel
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCalifornia90007USA
| | - Sheila A. Kitchen
- Department of BiologyPennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvania16803USA
| | - Ilsa B. Kuffner
- U.S. Geological Survey600 4th Street S.St. PetersburgFlorida33701USA
| | - Todd C. LaJeunesse
- Department of BiologyPennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvania16803USA
| | - Mikhail V. Matz
- Department of Integrative BiologyThe University of Texas at AustinAustinTexas78712USA
| | | | - John E. Parkinson
- SECORE InternationalMiamiFlorida33145USA
- Department of Integrative BiologyUniversity of South FloridaTampaFlorida33620USA
| | - Andrew A. Shantz
- Department of BiologyPennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvania16803USA
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15
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Ligson CA, Tabalanza TD, Villanueva RD, Cabaitan PC. Feasibility of early outplanting of sexually propagated
Acropora verweyi
for coral reef restoration demonstrated in the Philippines. Restor Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Charlon A. Ligson
- The Marine Science InstituteUniversity of the Philippines Quezon City 1101 Philippines
| | - Tracy D. Tabalanza
- The Marine Science InstituteUniversity of the Philippines Quezon City 1101 Philippines
| | - Ronald D. Villanueva
- The Marine Science InstituteUniversity of the Philippines Quezon City 1101 Philippines
| | - Patrick C. Cabaitan
- The Marine Science InstituteUniversity of the Philippines Quezon City 1101 Philippines
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16
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Parkinson JE, Baker AC, Baums IB, Davies SW, Grottoli AG, Kitchen SA, Matz MV, Miller MW, Shantz AA, Kenkel CD. Molecular tools for coral reef restoration: Beyond biomarker discovery. Conserv Lett 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- John Everett Parkinson
- SECORE International Miami Florida
- Department of Integrative BiologyUniversity of South Florida Tampa Florida
| | - Andrew C. Baker
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric ScienceUniversity of Miami Miami Florida
| | - Iliana B. Baums
- Department of BiologyPennsylvania State University University Park Pennsylvania
| | | | | | - Sheila A. Kitchen
- Department of BiologyPennsylvania State University University Park Pennsylvania
| | - Mikhail V. Matz
- Department of Integrative BiologyUniversity of Texas at Austin Austin Texas
| | | | - Andrew A. Shantz
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric ScienceUniversity of Miami Miami Florida
| | - Carly D. Kenkel
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Southern California Los Angeles California
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Ex situ co culturing of the sea urchin, Mespilia globulus and the coral Acropora millepora enhances early post-settlement survivorship. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12984. [PMID: 31506526 PMCID: PMC6737180 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49447-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Reef restoration efforts, utilising sexual coral propagation need up-scaling to have ecologically meaningful impact. Post-settlement survival bottlenecks, in part due to competitive benthic algae interactions should be addressed, to improve productivity for these initiatives. Sea urchins are keystone grazers in reef ecosystems, yet feeding behaviour of adults causes physical damage and mortality to developing coral spat. To investigate if microherbivory can be utilised for co-culture, we quantitatively assessed how varying densities of juvenile sea urchins Mespilia globulus (Linnaeus, 1758), reared alongside the coral Acropora millepora (Ehrenberg, 1834) effected survival and growth of coral recruits. Spawning of both species were induced ex situ. A comparison of A. millepora spat reared in three M. globulus densities (low 16.67 m−2, medium 37.50 m−2, high 75.00 m−2) and a non-grazed control indicated coral survival is significantly influenced by grazing activity (p < 0.001) and was highest in the highest density treatment (39.65 ± 10.88%, mean ± s.d). Urchin grazing also significantly (p < 0.001) influenced coral size (compared to non-grazing control), with colonies in the medium and high-densities growing the largest (21.13 ± 1.02 mm & 20.80 ± 0.82, mean ± s.e.m). Increased urchin density did however have a negative influence on urchin growth, a result of limited food availability.
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18
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Japaud A, Bouchon C, Magalon H, Fauvelot C. Geographic distances and ocean currents influence Caribbean Acropora palmata population connectivity in the Lesser Antilles. CONSERV GENET 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-019-01145-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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19
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Tagliafico A, Rangel S, Christidis L, Kelaher BP. A potential method for improving coral self-attachment. Restor Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.12698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Tagliafico
- National Marine Science Centre; Southern Cross University; Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 Australia
| | - Salomé Rangel
- National Marine Science Centre; Southern Cross University; Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 Australia
| | - Leslie Christidis
- National Marine Science Centre; Southern Cross University; Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 Australia
| | - Brendan P. Kelaher
- National Marine Science Centre; Southern Cross University; Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 Australia
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20
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New Seeding Approach Reduces Costs and Time to Outplant Sexually Propagated Corals for Reef Restoration. Sci Rep 2017; 7:18076. [PMID: 29273761 PMCID: PMC5741773 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-17555-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of sexually propagated corals is gaining popularity as an approach for reef restoration. However, manually attaching substrates with recently settled corals to the reef using binding materials is both time-consuming and expensive, limiting the use of this technique to small spatial scales. We present a novel approach whereby young corals are 'seeded' on the reef without the need for manual attachment to the benthos. We tested two tetrapod-shaped concrete substrates (7.9 and 9.8 cm in diameter) on which coral larvae were settled. The tetrapods were efficiently deployed by wedging them in reef crevices, in 1.5 to 7% of the time required for traditional outplanting techniques. Seeding tetrapods was most effective in reefs with moderately to highly complex topographies, where they rapidly became lodged in crevices or cemented to the benthos by encrusting organisms. After one year, average recruit survival was 9.6% and 67% of tetrapods still harboured at least one coral colony, and overall, this approach resulted in a 5 to 18 fold reduction in outplanting costs compared to common outplanting methods. This seeding approach represents a substantial reduction in costs and time required to introduce sexually propagated corals to reefs, and could possibly enable larger scale reef restoration.
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21
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Cruz DWD, Harrison PL. Enhanced larval supply and recruitment can replenish reef corals on degraded reefs. Sci Rep 2017; 7:13985. [PMID: 29070842 PMCID: PMC5656657 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-14546-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2017] [Accepted: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Reef-building corals have essential roles in reef ecosystems but are highly susceptible to disturbances. Increasing anthropogenic disturbances are eroding coral community resilience, leading to declining reef ecosystem function and status globally. Successful reproduction and recruitment are essential for restoring coral populations but recruitment-limitation can constrain recovery. We supplied ~400,000 Acropora tenuis larvae in fine-mesh enclosures on each of four larval-enhancement plots, comprising natural reef substrata and ten settlement tiles, on degraded reef areas in the northwestern Philippines. Initial mean total settlement on tiles in larval-enhancement plots was high (255.3 ± 68.6), whereas no larvae settled in natural control plots. Recruit survivorship began stabilising after five months, with juveniles becoming visible by eye at nine months. After three years a mean of 2.3 m−2 colonies survived within each larval-enhancement plot. Most colonies grew rapidly (16.1 ± 0.7 cm mean diameter) and spawned successfully at three years, thereby quickly re-establishing a breeding population. In contrast, natural recruitment failed to produce any new visible A. tenuis colonies. These results demonstrate that mass larval settlement can rapidly enhance recruitment and coral recovery on degraded reef areas, and provides an important option for active reef restoration where larval supply and recruitment success are limiting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dexter W Dela Cruz
- Marine Ecology Research Centre, IDEAS Research Institute, School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, New South Wales, 2480, Australia.,The Marine Science Institute, College of Science, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, 1101, Philippines
| | - Peter L Harrison
- Marine Ecology Research Centre, IDEAS Research Institute, School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, New South Wales, 2480, Australia.
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22
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van Oppen MJH, Gates RD, Blackall LL, Cantin N, Chakravarti LJ, Chan WY, Cormick C, Crean A, Damjanovic K, Epstein H, Harrison PL, Jones TA, Miller M, Pears RJ, Peplow LM, Raftos DA, Schaffelke B, Stewart K, Torda G, Wachenfeld D, Weeks AR, Putnam HM. Shifting paradigms in restoration of the world's coral reefs. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2017; 23:3437-3448. [PMID: 28247459 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.13647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Revised: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Many ecosystems around the world are rapidly deteriorating due to both local and global pressures, and perhaps none so precipitously as coral reefs. Management of coral reefs through maintenance (e.g., marine-protected areas, catchment management to improve water quality), restoration, as well as global and national governmental agreements to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (e.g., the 2015 Paris Agreement) is critical for the persistence of coral reefs. Despite these initiatives, the health and abundance of corals reefs are rapidly declining and other solutions will soon be required. We have recently discussed options for using assisted evolution (i.e., selective breeding, assisted gene flow, conditioning or epigenetic programming, and the manipulation of the coral microbiome) as a means to enhance environmental stress tolerance of corals and the success of coral reef restoration efforts. The 2014-2016 global coral bleaching event has sharpened the focus on such interventionist approaches. We highlight the necessity for consideration of alternative (e.g., hybrid) ecosystem states, discuss traits of resilient corals and coral reef ecosystems, and propose a decision tree for incorporating assisted evolution into restoration initiatives to enhance climate resilience of coral reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine J H van Oppen
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB No. 3, Townsville MC, QLD, 4810, Australia
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Ruth D Gates
- Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, Kaneohe, HI, 96744, USA
| | - Linda L Blackall
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Neal Cantin
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB No. 3, Townsville MC, QLD, 4810, Australia
| | - Leela J Chakravarti
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB No. 3, Townsville MC, QLD, 4810, Australia
- AIMS@JCU, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
- College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
| | - Wing Y Chan
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB No. 3, Townsville MC, QLD, 4810, Australia
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Craig Cormick
- ThinkOutsideThe, 12 Giffen Close, Holt, ACT, 2615, Australia
| | - Angela Crean
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Katarina Damjanovic
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB No. 3, Townsville MC, QLD, 4810, Australia
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Hannah Epstein
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB No. 3, Townsville MC, QLD, 4810, Australia
- AIMS@JCU, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
- College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
| | - Peter L Harrison
- Marine Ecology Research Centre, School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW, Australia
| | - Thomas A Jones
- USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Forage and Range Research Laboratory, Logan, UT, 84322-6300, USA
| | - Margaret Miller
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-National Marine Fisheries Service, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Rachel J Pears
- Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, PO Box 1379, Townsville, QLD, 4810, Australia
| | - Lesa M Peplow
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB No. 3, Townsville MC, QLD, 4810, Australia
| | - David A Raftos
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Britta Schaffelke
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB No. 3, Townsville MC, QLD, 4810, Australia
| | - Kristen Stewart
- SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY, 13210-2788, USA
| | - Gergely Torda
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB No. 3, Townsville MC, QLD, 4810, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
| | - David Wachenfeld
- Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, PO Box 1379, Townsville, QLD, 4810, Australia
| | - Andrew R Weeks
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
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23
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Lirman D, Schopmeyer S. Ecological solutions to reef degradation: optimizing coral reef restoration in the Caribbean and Western Atlantic. PeerJ 2016; 4:e2597. [PMID: 27781176 PMCID: PMC5075686 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Reef restoration activities have proliferated in response to the need to mitigate coral declines and recover lost reef structure, function, and ecosystem services. Here, we describe the recent shift from costly and complex engineering solutions to recover degraded reef structure to more economical and efficient ecological approaches that focus on recovering the living components of reef communities. We review the adoption and expansion of the coral gardening framework in the Caribbean and Western Atlantic where practitioners now grow and outplant 10,000’s of corals onto degraded reefs each year. We detail the steps for establishing a gardening program as well as long-term goals and direct and indirect benefits of this approach in our region. With a strong scientific basis, coral gardening activities now contribute significantly to reef and species recovery, provide important scientific, education, and outreach opportunities, and offer alternate livelihoods to local stakeholders. While challenges still remain, the transition from engineering to ecological solutions for reef degradation has opened the field of coral reef restoration to a wider audience poised to contribute to reef conservation and recovery in regions where coral losses and recruitment bottlenecks hinder natural recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Lirman
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Stephanie Schopmeyer
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
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