Coral reef restoration - A way forward to offset the coastal development impacts on Indian coral reefs

AbstractCoral reefs worldwide are degrading due to climate change, overfishing, pollution, coastal development, bleaching and diseases. In areas where natural recovery is negligible or protection through management interventions insufficient, active restoration becomes critical. The Reef Futures symposium in 2018 brought together over 400 reef restoration experts, businesses, and civil organizations, and galvanized them to save coral reefs through restoration or identify alternative solutions. The symposium highlighted that solutions and discoveries from long-term and ongoing coral reef restoration projects in Spanish-speaking countries in the Caribbean and Eastern Tropical Pacific were not well known internationally. Therefore, a meeting of scientists and practitioners working in these locations was held to compile the data on the extent of coral reef restoration efforts, advances and challenges. Here, we present unpublished data from 12 coral reef restoration case studies from five Latin American countries, describe their motivations and techniques used, and provide estimates on total annual project cost per unit area of reef intervened, spatial extent as well as project duration. We found that most projects used direct transplantation, the coral gardening method, micro-fragmentation or larval propagation, and aimed to optimize or scale-up restoration approaches (51%) or provide alternative, sustainable livelihood opportunities (15%) followed by promoting coral reef conservation stewardship and re-establishing a self-sustaining, functioning reef ecosystem (both 13%). Reasons for restoring coral reefs were mainly biotic and experimental (both 42%), followed by idealistic and pragmatic motivations (both 8%). The median annual total cost from all projects was $93,000 USD (range: $10,000 USD - $331,802 USD) (2018 dollars) and intervened a median spatial area of 1 ha (range: 0.06 ha - 8.39 ha). The median project duration was 3 years; however, projects have lasted up to 17 years. Project feasibility was high with a median of 0.7 (range: 0.5 - 0.8). This study closes the knowledge gap between academia and practitioners and overcomes the language barrier by providing the first comprehensive compilation of data from ongoing coral reef restoration efforts in Latin America.

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Potential contribution of fish restocking to the recovery of deteriorated coral reefs: an alternative restoration method?

10.7287/peerj.preprints.1664 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Uri Obolski ◽

Lilach Hadany ◽

Avigdor Abelson

Keyword(s):

Coral Reef ◽

Coral Reefs ◽

Low Cost ◽

Management Approach ◽

Rapid Decline ◽

Potential Contribution ◽

Reef Management ◽

Reef Restoration ◽

Reef Recovery ◽

Restoration Method

Counteracting the worldwide trend of coral reef degeneration is a major challenge for the scientific community. A crucial management approach to minimizing stress effects on healthy reefs and helping the recovery of disturbed reefs is reef protection. However, the current rapid decline of the world's reefs suggests that protection might be insufficient as a viable stand-alone management approach for some reefs. We thus suggest that the ecological restoration of coral reefs (CRR) should be considered as a valid component of coral reef management, in addition to protection, if the applied method is economically applicable and scalable. This theoretical study examines the potential applicability and outcomes of restocking grazers as a restoration tool for coral reef recovery – a tool that has not been applied so far in reef restoration projects. We studied the effect of restocking grazing fish as a restoration method using a mathematical model of degrading reefs, and analyzed the financial outcomes of the restocking intervention. The results suggest that applying this restoration method, in addition to protection, can facilitate reef recovery. Moreover, our analysis suggests that the restocking approach almost always becomes profitable within several years. Considering the relatively low cost of this restoration approach and the feasibility of mass production of herbivorous fish, we suggest that this approach should be considered and examined as an additional viable restoration tool for coral reefs.

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Reef Foraminifera As Bioindicator Of Coral Reef Health in Pulau Tioman, Pahang, Malaysia

10.21203/rs.3.rs-51033/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Aishah Norashikin Abdul A’ziz ◽

Fatin Izzati Minhat ◽

Pan Hui-Juan ◽

Hasrizal Shaari ◽

Wan Nurzalia Wan Saelan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Coral Reef ◽

Coral Reefs ◽

Dominant Species ◽

Peninsular Malaysia ◽

Coastal Development ◽

Assessment And Monitoring ◽

Reef Recovery ◽

Reef Health ◽

Coral Reef Area ◽

Reduced Water

Abstract Pulau Tioman is one of the famous tourism islands in Peninsular Malaysia due to the beautiful terrestrial and coral reefs ecosystem. This study aims to assess and monitor the health of coral reef sites surrounding Pulau Tioman based on the application of Foraminifera in Reef Assessment and Monitoring (FORAM) Index. A total of ten selected sampling sites from west and east side of Pulau Tioman were setup in front of the major beach areas around Pulau Tioman. At each site, 100 m transect was laid out from shore towards the reef slope and surface sediment samples were collected at 50 m intervals. Eight orders, 41 families, 80 genera and 161 species of benthic foraminifera were identified around Pulau Tioman. Amphistegina lessonii found to be the most dominant species and the least dominant species (< 4%) are Bolivina vadescens, Elphidium neosimplex, Heterolepa dutemplei, Heterolepa subhaidingerii, Mikrobelodontos bradyi, Milliolinella suborbicularis, Operculina discoidalis, Parahourinoides fragillissimus, Quinqueloculina incisa, Quinqueloculina sulcate, Triloculinella bertheliniana and Triloculinella parisa. The highest and lowest numbers of species was recorded at station J3 and station F3. The agglutinated type of foraminifera contributed between 2–8% of the total assemblages. Meanwhile, calcareous hyaline and porcelaneous group represent 79% and 19% of total assemblages respectively. Based on the functional groups, symbiont-bearing taxa were the most common foraminiferal found in most of the stations. The present study indicates that majority of sampling sites around Pulau Tioman are conducive for coral reef growth and could recover from any future bleaching events or temporary damage in the ecosystem. However, several areas with higher coastal development and tourism activities has reduced water quality (FI < 4) and chances of better reef recovery. Thus, the number of visitors and tourists should be revised in order to produce a better condition for coral reefs to grow. This assumption is based on the established results of the FORAM index. Thus, we suppose that FORAM index could be used together with coral reef health index in other reef ecosystems around Malaysia to determine the condition and status of coral reef area.

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Potential contribution of fish restocking to the recovery of deteriorated coral reefs: an alternative restoration method?

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.1732 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

pp. e1732 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Uri Obolski ◽

Lilach Hadany ◽

Avigdor Abelson

Keyword(s):

Coral Reef ◽

Coral Reefs ◽

Low Cost ◽

Management Approach ◽

Rapid Decline ◽

Potential Contribution ◽

Reef Management ◽

Reef Restoration ◽

Reef Recovery ◽

Restoration Method

Counteracting the worldwide trend of coral reef degeneration is a major challenge for the scientific community. A crucial management approach to minimizing stress effects on healthy reefs and helping the recovery of disturbed reefs is reef protection. However, the current rapid decline of the world’s reefs suggests that protection might be insufficient as a viable stand-alone management approach for some reefs. We thus suggest that the ecological restoration of coral reefs (CRR) should be considered as a valid component of coral reef management, in addition to protection, if the applied method is economically applicable and scalable. This theoretical study examines the potential applicability and outcomes of restocking grazers as a restoration tool for coral reef recovery—a tool that has not been applied so far in reef restoration projects. We studied the effect of restocking grazing fish as a restoration method using a mathematical model of degrading reefs, and analyzed the financial outcomes of the restocking intervention. The results suggest that applying this restoration method, in addition to protection, can facilitate reef recovery. Moreover, our analysis suggests that the restocking approach almost always becomes profitable within several years. Considering the relatively low cost of this restoration approach and the feasibility of mass production of herbivorous fish, we suggest that this approach should be considered and examined as an additional viable restoration tool for coral reefs.

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Coral Reef Restoration using Nursery-Reared Coral Fragments in a LGU-Academe Ushered Community Project in Masbate (Philippines)

IAMURE International Journal of Ecology and Conservation ◽

10.7718/ijec.v17i1.1064 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Antonino B. Mendoza, Jr. ◽

Victor S. Soliman ◽

Plutomeo M. Nieves ◽

Florizel M. Lim

Keyword(s):

Coral Reef ◽

Coral Reefs ◽

Private Sector ◽

Protected Area ◽

Marine Protected Area ◽

Project Success ◽

Economic Recovery ◽

Reef Restoration ◽

Community Project ◽

San Fernando

With the declining state of Philippine coral reefs, the need for conservation and rehabilitation efforts are deemed crucial to sustaining ecological, biological and economic recovery in the reef system. However, there is yet a concrete and workable policy to be implemented in restoring and rehabilitating our reef areas aside from establishment of marine protected area (MPA). Here, we explored the prospects of coral restoration by demonstrating experiences in San Fernando, Masbate (Ticao Island) combined with the practices of the National Coral Restoration Program. In this project, some 20,000 coral nubbins utilizing ‘corals of opportunities’ were reared in 40 coral nursery units (CNUs) for six months and achieved 80% survival. They were then out-planted (c. 20,000 sq m) inside an MPA to ensure their protection and increase in live cover. The fragments were attached to dead corals using epoxy or tied in concrete nails using cable ties. Four coral genera were used namely Acropora, Seriatopora, Pocillopora, and Stylophora. About 70% coral survival was achieved after two months of transplantation. Involvement of the LGU, community and the private sector is crucial to project success. Results of the transplantation indicated effectiveness and viability of the CNU system to complement coral transplantation.

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Coral Reef Socio-Ecological Systems Analysis & Restoration

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su10124490 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. 4490 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Natalia Uribe-Castañeda ◽

Alice Newton ◽

Martin Le Tissier

Keyword(s):

Coral Reef ◽

Coral Reefs ◽

System Analysis ◽

Human Dimensions ◽

Ecological Systems ◽

Decision Makers ◽

Ecological System ◽

Reef Restoration ◽

Restoration Strategies ◽

Ecological Objectives

Restoration strategies for coral reefs are usually focused on the recovery of bio-physical characteristics. They seldom include an evaluation of the recovery of the socio-ecological and ecosystem services features of coral reef systems. This paper proposes a conceptual framework to address both the socio-ecological system features of coral reefs with the implementation of restoration activity for degraded coral reefs. Such a framework can lead to better societal outcomes from restoration activities while restoring bio-physical, social and ecosystem service features of such systems. We first developed a Socio Ecological System Analysis Framework, which combines the Ostrom Framework for analyzing socio-ecological systems and the Kittinger et al. human dimensions framework of coral reefs socio-ecological systems. We then constructed a Restoration of Coral Reef Framework, based on the most used and recent available coral reef restoration literature. These two frameworks were combined to present a Socio-Ecological Systems & Restoration Coral Reef Framework. These three frameworks can be used as a guide for managers, researchers and decision makers to analyze the needs of coral reef restoration in a way that addresses both socio-economic and ecological objectives to analyze, design, implement and monitor reef restoration programs.

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Potential contribution of fish restocking to the recovery of deteriorated coral reefs: an alternative restoration method?

10.7287/peerj.preprints.1664v1 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Uri Obolski ◽

Lilach Hadany ◽

Avigdor Abelson

Keyword(s):

Coral Reef ◽

Coral Reefs ◽

Low Cost ◽

Management Approach ◽

Rapid Decline ◽

Potential Contribution ◽

Reef Management ◽

Reef Restoration ◽

Reef Recovery ◽

Restoration Method

Counteracting the worldwide trend of coral reef degeneration is a major challenge for the scientific community. A crucial management approach to minimizing stress effects on healthy reefs and helping the recovery of disturbed reefs is reef protection. However, the current rapid decline of the world's reefs suggests that protection might be insufficient as a viable stand-alone management approach for some reefs. We thus suggest that the ecological restoration of coral reefs (CRR) should be considered as a valid component of coral reef management, in addition to protection, if the applied method is economically applicable and scalable. This theoretical study examines the potential applicability and outcomes of restocking grazers as a restoration tool for coral reef recovery – a tool that has not been applied so far in reef restoration projects. We studied the effect of restocking grazing fish as a restoration method using a mathematical model of degrading reefs, and analyzed the financial outcomes of the restocking intervention. The results suggest that applying this restoration method, in addition to protection, can facilitate reef recovery. Moreover, our analysis suggests that the restocking approach almost always becomes profitable within several years. Considering the relatively low cost of this restoration approach and the feasibility of mass production of herbivorous fish, we suggest that this approach should be considered and examined as an additional viable restoration tool for coral reefs.

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Assessing mesophotic coral ecosystems inside and outside a Caribbean marine protected area

Royal Society Open Science ◽

10.1098/rsos.180835 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (10) ◽

pp. 180835 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Erika Gress ◽

Maria J. Arroyo-Gerez ◽

Georgina Wright ◽

Dominic A. Andradi-Brown

Keyword(s):

Coral Reef ◽

Coral Reefs ◽

Fish Species ◽

National Park ◽

Large Body ◽

Coastal Development ◽

Reef Management ◽

Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems ◽

Shallow Reef ◽

Black Corals

Widespread shallow coral reef loss has led to calls for more holistic approaches to coral reef management, requiring inclusion of ecosystems interacting with shallow coral reefs in management plans. Yet, almost all current reef management is biased towards shallow reefs, and overlooks that coral reefs extend beyond shallow waters to mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs; 30–150 m). We present the first detailed quantitative characterization of MCEs off Cozumel, Mexico, on the northern Mesoamerican Reef in the Mexican Caribbean, and provide insights into their general state. We documented MCE biodiversity, and assessed whether MCEs adjacent to a major town and port, where coastal development has caused shallow reef damage, have similar benthic and fish communities to MCEs within a National Park. Our results show that overall MCE communities are similar regardless of protection, though some taxa-specific differences exist in benthic communities between sites within the MPA and areas outside. Regardless of protection and location, and in contrast to shallow reefs, all observed Cozumel MCEs were continuous reefs with the main structural habitat complexity provided by calcareous macroalgae, sponges, gorgonians and black corals. Hard corals were present on MCEs, although at low abundance. We found that 42.5% of fish species recorded on Cozumel could be found on both shallow reefs and MCEs, including 39.6% of commercially valuable fish species. These results suggest that MCEs could play an important role in supporting fish populations. However, regardless of protection and depth, we found few large-body fishes (greater than 500 mm), which were nearly absent at all studied sites. Cozumel MCEs contain diverse benthic and fish assemblages, including commercially valuable fisheries species and ecosystem engineers, such as black corals. Because of their inherent biodiversity and identified threats, MCEs should be incorporated into shallow-reef-focused Cozumel National Park management plan.

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In situ effects of simulated overfishing and eutrophication on settlement of benthic coral reef invertebrates in the Central Red Sea

10.7287/peerj.preprints.227 ◽

2014 ◽

Author(s):

Christian Jessen ◽

Christian R. Voolstra ◽

Christian Wild

Keyword(s):

Coral Reef ◽

Coral Reefs ◽

Red Sea ◽

Combined Treatment ◽

Coastal Development ◽

Combined Effects ◽

Hard Coral ◽

Coral Settlement ◽

In Situ Study

In the Central Red Sea, relatively pristine coral reefs meet intense coastal development, but data on the effects of related stressors for reef functioning are lacking. This in situ study therefore investigated the independent and combined effects of simulated overfishing and eutrophication on settlement of reef associated invertebrates on light-exposed and -shaded tiles over 4 months. Findings revealed that at the end of the study period invertebrates had almost exclusively colonized shaded tiles, indicating that algae were superior settling competitors on light-exposed tiles. On the shaded tiles, simulated overfishing prevented settlement of hard corals, but significantly increased settlement of polychaetes, while simulated eutrophication only significantly decreased hard coral settlement relative to controls. The combined treatment significantly increased settlement of bryozoans and bivalves compared to controls and individual manipulations, but significantly decreased polychaetes compared to simulated overfishing. These results suggest settlement of polychaetes and hard corals as potential bioindicators for overfishing and eutrophication, respectively, and settlement of bivalves and bryozoans for a combination of both. Therefore, if investigated stressors are not controlled, phase shifts from dominance by hard corals to that by other invertebrates may occur at shaded reef locations in the Central Red Sea.

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Coral reef conservation and political will

Environmental Conservation ◽

10.1017/s0376892914000344 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 42 (2) ◽

pp. 97-101 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

PETER F. SALE

Keyword(s):

Coral Reef ◽

Coral Reefs ◽

Coastal Development ◽

Political Will ◽

Societal Benefits ◽

Coral Reef Conservation

SUMMARYCoral reefs and their societal benefits are in decline, chiefly due to overfishing, pollution and inappropriate coastal development. Strengthened management is possible, but collective failure to build the needed political will to act diminishes lives of millions of people along tropical coasts. Political will can be built, but it requires committed leadership and sustained investment of time and resources. Accepting failure as inevitable is inappropriate.

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