11th ICRS Abstract book - Nova Southeastern University

24-29
A Land-Based Resource For Ecologically-Important Western Atlantic Corals
Thomas CAPO* 1 , Phillip GILLETTE 1 , Daniel DIRESTA 2 , Richard CURRY 3 , Chris
LANGDON 1 , Andrew BAKER 1 , Diego LIRMAN 1 , Iliana BAUMS 4
1 MBF, University of Miami RSMAS, Miami, FL, 2 Department of Biology, University of
Miami, Coral Gables, FL, 3 Biscayne National Park, Homestead, FL, 4 Department of
Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
Coral reefs in the continental US show their greatest development along the SE coast of
the state of Florida. The northern portion of the reef tract is found within Biscayne
National Park, where it is of high intrinsic value for both scientific and recreational
reasons. The state of the reef has declined over recent years due to both natural and
anthropogenic stressors. Given these threats, the loss of corals within the park due to
accidental boat groundings represents a significant impact on an already dwindling
resource. In 2000, we initiated a collaborative research program to evaluate rehabilitation
of damaged areas based upon coral fragments recovered from these areas. Orphaned
fragments were collected from grounding sites and relocated to a field-nursery in BNP as
well as the University of Miami’s land-based Coral Resource Facility. Research over the
past four years has focused on the initiation of clonal lines to produce uniform ramets for
manipulative experiments and on factors controlling ex situ growth rate. Continuing trials
are targeting four key parameters of coral growth and survival: fragment size,
supplemental feeding, water movement, and light. The UM Coral Resource Facility now
houses over two dozen coral species, of which five have been targeted for intensive
culture and mass growout: Acropora cervicornis, A. palmata, Montastraea faveolata,
Oculina sp., and Porites furcata. To ensure genetic diversity, five independent clonal
lines of each species are in the isolation process. Presently we are providing
microcolonies, nubbins, and macrocolonies with a known environmental history and
documented genetic profile to investigators for studies in coral physiology, epidemiology,
ecotoxicology and restoration research. Incorporating advances in coral propagation and
building on our successful growout, we are expanding the present UM facility to hold
more than 10,000 coral fragments of the 5 target species in support of coral research.
24-30
Spatial and Temporal Patterns In The Recruitment And Settlement Behaviour Of
Scleractinian Coral Larvae On Artificial Substrata: Applicability And Implications
For Coral Reef Restoration
Cristiana DAMIANO* 1,2 , Peter HARRISON 1
1 School of Environmental Science and Management, Southern Cross University,
Lismore, Australia, 2 National Marine Science Centre, Coffs Harbour, Australia
The discipline of coral reef restoration through larvae reseeding remains in its formative
stage. While preliminary studies have indicated the viability of inducing laboratorycultured
coral larvae to settle on reefs, almost no work has been done to determine their
subsequent growth and survival, or the extent to which such ‘reseeding’ facilitates the
rapid and efficient recovery of coral communities. This latter information is a
prerequisite for reseeding techniques as a mechanism for promoting the restoration of
corals. Equally importantly, identifying the key factors influencing the fate of coral
recruits is an essential component of coral reef ecology that will ultimately assist
management agencies to define clearer protocols for their future conservation throughout
the world. Here we present results of research done from 2003/06 to assess the
applicability, benefits and disadvantages of scleractinian coral larvae rearing and
reseeding techniques on artificial substrata under laboratory conditions at Heron Island
Research Station, Australia. Gravid colonies of Acropora millepora and Platygyra
daedalea were collected and the predictable annual mass spawning provided access to
large quantities of larvae, which were reared in aquarium facilities for six days and
transferred to 70-l plastic tanks, containing three replicates of two preconditioned ceramic
tile orientations (horizontal and 45°). After seven days, settled spats were taken back to
the reef and monitored for growth and survival via a repeated-measure sampling
technique. High rates of settlement and recruitment were observed for A. millepora
planulae, supporting the viability of using laboratory-reared larvae for coral reef
rehabilitation and restoration programs. However, longer-term survival rates were low,
particularly after a widespread bleaching event that affected Heron Island’s reefs during
summer 2006/07. Although these results are preliminary, they nevertheless support the
need for ongoing research to more fully describe the ecological processes contributing
towards planulae recruitment and survival as a prerequisite for restoration programs.
Oral Mini-Symposium 24: Reef Restoration
24-31
Reef Restoration—The Good And The Bad
Jere LIPPS* 1
1 Integrative Biology & Museum of Paleontology, University of California--Berkeley, Berkeley,
CA
Little good and a lot of bad come from reef restoration. Reefs damaged by humans and nature
are “restored” using unnatural materials as substrata quickly occupied by corals and fish. This
is commonly considered good, for seemingly the reef has been returned to a “healthy” state; fish
can be caught again and tourists return for the “beautiful reefs”. Restoration, the act of
restoring to a former state, has never been accomplished on a reef; rather reefs have been
manipulated to conform to particular human values without regard for the entire reef--its
ecology, trophodynamics, hydrodyamics, physical or chemical characteristics of pseudosubstrata,
geochemistry, nutrient supply, and even reef aesthetics among a multitude of others.
People seemingly cannot leave well enough alone when it comes to reefs that have been
noticeably damaged. Yet, that is exactly what reefs need—time without interference.
Emotional reactions without careful analysis of the total consequences of various methods are
ill-advised. Reefs evolved over millions of years in one of the harshest environments on
earth—the air-water interface. They are well adapted to recover from physical damage of
almost any sort. Reefs are not fragile. Thoughtful assistance would help, using materials
occurring naturally within reef systems, by involving regional stakeholders in natural processes
of restoration, and by stringent protection regulations and agreements. Opportunistic
“restoration” by well-meaning, misguided or avaricious people without careful consideration of
what really constitutes a reef is a major mistake that will eventually need restoration itself. Do
we need more junk on our reefs?
24-32
Reef Rehabilitation At Maiton Island: The Prototype Of Rehabilitation By Using
Artificial Substrate in Thailand
Hansa CHANSANG* 1 , Nalinee THONGTHAM 1 , Ukkrit SATAPOOMIN 1 , Niphon
PHONGSUWAN 1 , Pitul PANCHAIYAPHUM 2 , Vipoosit MANTACHITRA 3
1 -, Phuket Marine Biological Center, Phuket, Thailand, 2 -, Phuket Marine and Coastal
Resources Conservation Center, Phuket, Thailand, 3 Burapha University, Faculty of Aquatic
science, Chonburi, Thailand
A pilot project on rehabilitation was carried out at reef of Maiton Island using triangular
concrete modules as artificial substrate for coral settlement. The reef was physically damaged
by storm and no noticeable recovery was observed after 8 years. Two hundred and twenty-five
modules of 50x50x50 cm were placed covering area of 225 m 2 . The structural design for the
modules was based on the objective of study complexity of module structures to reef fish
colonization and coral settlement. Monitoring on development of colonization of sessile
organisms especially coral and fish population have been carried out periodically.
The modules had successfully increased coral recruitment. Complexity of substrate surface
increased chances of coral recruitment. After 7 years, there were 16 genera of coral settled on
the surfaces. The total coral cover was about 53-60% of module surface. For fish recruitment,
early colonization of fishes in term of number of species and individuals were rapid with in the
first 4 months. Fish assemblages did not differ among different complex modules. The fish
assemblages stabilized after 7 years and 88 species of 23 genera were sighted. The development
of fish assemblages correlate with increasing coral coverage on module surfaces.
At present, there are 1280 modules in the reef covering the minimum area of 1280 m 2 . This
artificial reef will continue to evolve and increase in community complexity. It is evaluated as a
successful project considering the outcome and cost effective including labor input.
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