Use of predator exclusion cages to enhance Orbicella faveolata micro-fragment survivorship and growth during restoration

As coral reefs face increasing threats from a variety of stressors, coral restoration has become an important tool to aid coral populations. A novel strategy for restoring boulder corals is microfragmentation, which may enhance coral growth by at least five times, depending on species and conditions...

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Main Authors: Catherine Raker, Manuel Olmeda-Saldaña, Stacey M. Williams, Ernesto Weil, Carlos Prada
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2023-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Marine Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2023.1122369/full
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author Catherine Raker
Manuel Olmeda-Saldaña
Stacey M. Williams
Ernesto Weil
Carlos Prada
author_facet Catherine Raker
Manuel Olmeda-Saldaña
Stacey M. Williams
Ernesto Weil
Carlos Prada
author_sort Catherine Raker
collection DOAJ
description As coral reefs face increasing threats from a variety of stressors, coral restoration has become an important tool to aid coral populations. A novel strategy for restoring boulder corals is microfragmentation, which may enhance coral growth by at least five times, depending on species and conditions. However, mortality rates are still significant during the early weeks after transplanting microfragments to impacted areas. We examined the effects of predation after transplanting fragments by caging Orbicella faveolata microfragments and testing if field survival rates would increase after an acclimation period. We tracked the health and growth of ten genotypes across different acclimation periods from a control group of no acclimation (0 months) to full acclimation (4 months). After four months, we presented a mix of acclimated and unacclimated corals to reef predators. Coral survivorship was highest in acclimation cages (near 100%) compared to the field (p < 0.001), with significant growth differences across genotypes (p < 0.001). Microfragments also grew more in acclimation cages (p < 0.001), with rates slowing down in the first two months after being planted into the substrate. Microfragments that had been acclimated for longer than one month also showed comparatively higher survival rates, further supporting the importance of acclimation during restoration. These results suggest caging fragments boost coral survival during initial stages of restoration by > 50% and increase the persistence of transplanted fragments. Results also highlight the importance of identifying and prioritizing genotypes with high survival and growth rates. Beyond coral restoration, results demonstrate the possible negative ecological effects of corallivores, particularly parrotfishes, on recent transplants of fragments.
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spelling doaj.art-7d43a2128ec94fdc953cd51a81deb33d2023-06-15T05:58:39ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Marine Science2296-77452023-06-011010.3389/fmars.2023.11223691122369Use of predator exclusion cages to enhance Orbicella faveolata micro-fragment survivorship and growth during restorationCatherine Raker0Manuel Olmeda-Saldaña1Stacey M. Williams2Ernesto Weil3Carlos Prada4College of the Environment and Life Science, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, United StatesInstitute for Socio-Ecological Research, Inc., Lajas, Puerto RicoInstitute for Socio-Ecological Research, Inc., Lajas, Puerto RicoDepartment of Marine Sciences, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto RicoCollege of the Environment and Life Science, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, United StatesAs coral reefs face increasing threats from a variety of stressors, coral restoration has become an important tool to aid coral populations. A novel strategy for restoring boulder corals is microfragmentation, which may enhance coral growth by at least five times, depending on species and conditions. However, mortality rates are still significant during the early weeks after transplanting microfragments to impacted areas. We examined the effects of predation after transplanting fragments by caging Orbicella faveolata microfragments and testing if field survival rates would increase after an acclimation period. We tracked the health and growth of ten genotypes across different acclimation periods from a control group of no acclimation (0 months) to full acclimation (4 months). After four months, we presented a mix of acclimated and unacclimated corals to reef predators. Coral survivorship was highest in acclimation cages (near 100%) compared to the field (p < 0.001), with significant growth differences across genotypes (p < 0.001). Microfragments also grew more in acclimation cages (p < 0.001), with rates slowing down in the first two months after being planted into the substrate. Microfragments that had been acclimated for longer than one month also showed comparatively higher survival rates, further supporting the importance of acclimation during restoration. These results suggest caging fragments boost coral survival during initial stages of restoration by > 50% and increase the persistence of transplanted fragments. Results also highlight the importance of identifying and prioritizing genotypes with high survival and growth rates. Beyond coral restoration, results demonstrate the possible negative ecological effects of corallivores, particularly parrotfishes, on recent transplants of fragments.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2023.1122369/fullcoral restorationcorallivorypredator exclusionCaribbeanreef conservation
spellingShingle Catherine Raker
Manuel Olmeda-Saldaña
Stacey M. Williams
Ernesto Weil
Carlos Prada
Use of predator exclusion cages to enhance Orbicella faveolata micro-fragment survivorship and growth during restoration
Frontiers in Marine Science
coral restoration
corallivory
predator exclusion
Caribbean
reef conservation
title Use of predator exclusion cages to enhance Orbicella faveolata micro-fragment survivorship and growth during restoration
title_full Use of predator exclusion cages to enhance Orbicella faveolata micro-fragment survivorship and growth during restoration
title_fullStr Use of predator exclusion cages to enhance Orbicella faveolata micro-fragment survivorship and growth during restoration
title_full_unstemmed Use of predator exclusion cages to enhance Orbicella faveolata micro-fragment survivorship and growth during restoration
title_short Use of predator exclusion cages to enhance Orbicella faveolata micro-fragment survivorship and growth during restoration
title_sort use of predator exclusion cages to enhance orbicella faveolata micro fragment survivorship and growth during restoration
topic coral restoration
corallivory
predator exclusion
Caribbean
reef conservation
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2023.1122369/full
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