Coral restoration – A systematic review of current methods, successes, failures and future directions

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 15(1), P. e0226631 - e0226631

Published: Jan. 30, 2020

Coral reef ecosystems have suffered an unprecedented loss of habitat-forming hard corals in recent decades. While marine conservation has historically focused on passive habitat protection, demand for and interest active restoration been growing However, a disconnect between coral practitioners, managers scientists resulted disjointed field where it is difficult to gain overview existing knowledge. To address this, we aimed synthesise the available knowledge comprehensive global review methods, incorporating data from peer-reviewed scientific literature, complemented with grey literature through survey practitioners. We found that case studies are dominated by short-term projects, 60% all projects reporting less than 18 months monitoring restored sites. Similarly, most relatively small spatial scale, median size area 100 m2. A diverse range species represented dataset, 229 different 72 genera. Overall, primarily fast-growing branching (59% studies), report survival 60 70%. date, young plagued similar 'growing pains' as ecological other ecosystems. These include 1) lack clear achievable objectives, 2) appropriate standardised and, 3) poorly designed relation stated objectives. Mitigating these will be crucial successfully scale up retain public trust tool resilience based management. Finally, while practitioners developed effective methods grow at scales, critical not view replacement meaningful action climate change.

Language: Английский

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Considerations for maximizing the adaptive potential of restored coral populations in the western Atlantic

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 29(8)

Published: July 23, 2019

Active coral restoration typically involves two interventions: crossing gametes to facilitate sexual larval propagation; and fragmenting, growing, outplanting adult colonies enhance asexual propagation. From an evolutionary perspective, the goal of these efforts is establish self-sustaining, sexually reproducing populations that have sufficient genetic phenotypic variation adapt changing environments. Here, we provide concrete guidelines help practitioners meet this for most Caribbean species interest. To enable persistence exposed severe selection pressure from many stressors, a mixed provenance strategy suggested: genetically unique (genets) should be sourced both locally as well more distant, environmentally distinct sites. Sourcing three four genets per reef along environmental gradients capture majority intraspecies diversity. It best propagate with one or traits are predicted valuable in future, such low partial mortality, high wound healing rate, skeletal growth bleaching resilience, infectious disease reproductive output. Some effort also reserved underperforming because grow poorly nurseries sometimes thrive once returned may harbor variants yet unrecognized value. Outplants clustered groups six successful fertilization upon maturation. Current evidence indicates translocating among distant reefs unlikely problematic population perspective but will likely substantial adaptive benefits. Similarly, inbreeding depression not concern given current practices only raise first-generation offspring. Thus, proceeding proposed management strategies even absence detailed analysis focal at sites targeted course action. These basic maximize potential reef-building corals facing rapidly environment.

Language: Английский

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Sexual production of corals for reef restoration in the Anthropocene

Marine Ecology Progress Series, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 635, P. 203 - 232

Published: Nov. 29, 2019

Coral-reef ecosystems are experiencing frequent and severe disturbance events that reducing global coral abundance potentially overwhelming the natural capacity for reefs to recover. While mitigation strategies climate warming other anthropogenic disturbances implemented, restoration programmes being established worldwide as an additional conservation measure minimise loss enhance recovery. Current efforts predominantly rely on asexually produced fragments—a process with inherent practical constraints genetic diversity conserved spatial scale achieved. Because resilience of communities has hitherto relied regular renewal recruits, scaling-up would benefit from greater use sexually corals, which is approach gaining momentum. Here we review present state knowledge scleractinian sexual reproduction in context reef restoration, a focus broadcast-spawning corals. We identify key gaps bottlenecks currently constrain production corals consider feasibility using reef- reef-system scales.

Language: Английский

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Principles for coral reef restoration in the anthropocene

One Earth, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 6(6), P. 656 - 665

Published: June 1, 2023

Language: Английский

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Priority effects transcend scales and disciplines in biology

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 39(7), P. 677 - 688

Published: March 19, 2024

Language: Английский

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Hybrid coral reef restoration can be a cost-effective nature-based solution to provide protection to vulnerable coastal populations

Science Advances, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 11(3)

Published: Jan. 15, 2025

Coral reefs can mitigate flood damages by providing protection to tropical coastal communities whose populations are dense, growing fast, and have predominantly lower-middle income. This study provides the first fine-scale, regionally modeled valuations of how risk reductions associated with hybrid coral reef restoration could benefit people, property, economic activity along Florida Puerto Rico’s 1005 kilometers reef-lined coasts. Restoration up 20% regions’ provide reduction benefits greater than costs. Reef habitats greatest shallow, nearshore, fronting low-lying, vulnerable communities, which often where impacts loss greatest. Minorities, children, elderly, those below poverty line receive more double hazard overall population, demonstrating that as a nature-based solution positive returns on investment economically socially most people.

Language: Английский

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Coral restoration: Socio-ecological perspectives of benefits and limitations

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 229, P. 14 - 25

Published: Nov. 17, 2018

Language: Английский

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Coral restoration research and technical developments: what we have learned so far

Marine Biology Research, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 15(7), P. 377 - 409

Published: Aug. 9, 2019

Coral reef restoration is not the same as forest its success always guaranteed because of insufficient knowledge coral biology. The technology active has a history only 40 years or less. In spite many devices and efforts, often hampered by low survivorship colonies, fragments sexual propagules. order to enhance resilience adaptation in changing world, new approaches are being suggested. However, we wouldn't be able succeed achieve expected result, i.e. recovery thriving reefs, if outplanted recruits do grow well spawn successfully fertilize sea. cost restore few hectares considerable. More studies needed improve methodology. Contractors practitioners projects must have advanced techniques supported strong science for successful propagation, rearing, transplantation/outplantation corals. This review describes what learned so far from research on discusses seven topics that may facilitate projects.

Language: Английский

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Evolution and connectivity influence the persistence and recovery of coral reefs under climate change in the Caribbean, Southwest Pacific, and Coral Triangle

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 27(18), P. 4307 - 4321

Published: June 9, 2021

Abstract Corals are experiencing unprecedented decline from climate change‐induced mass bleaching events. Dispersal not only contributes to coral reef persistence through demographic rescue but can also hinder or facilitate evolutionary adaptation. Locations of reefs that likely survive future warming therefore remain largely unknown, particularly within the context both ecological and processes across complex seascapes differ in temperature range, strength connectivity, network size, other characteristics. Here, we used eco‐evolutionary simulations examine adaptation networks Caribbean, Southwest Pacific, Coral Triangle. We assessed factors associated with multiple systems understand which results general sensitive particular geographic contexts. found evolution be critical preventing extinction facilitating long‐term recovery communities all regions. Furthermore, immigration a (destination strength) current sea surface robustly predicted projections. However, higher initial cover, slower recovery, more lag Triangle, has greater number larval settlement than lowest projected cover Caribbean. These findings suggest depends on ecology, evolution, habitat characteristics, that, under an emissions stabilization scenario (RCP 4.5), may possible over centuries.

Language: Английский

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A roadmap to integrating resilience into the practice of coral reef restoration

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 28(16), P. 4751 - 4764

Published: April 22, 2022

Abstract Recent warm temperatures driven by climate change have caused mass coral bleaching and mortality across the world, prompting managers, policymakers, conservation practitioners to embrace restoration as a strategy sustain reefs. Despite proliferation of new reef efforts globally increasing scientific recognition research on interventions aimed at supporting resilience impacts, few programs are currently incorporating in project design. As will continue degrade reefs for decades come, guidance is needed support managers conduct that promotes through enhanced recovery, resistance, adaptation. Here, we address this critical implementation gap providing recommendations integrate principles into design practice, including planning design, selection, site broader ecosystem context. We also discuss future opportunities improve methods outcomes response change. one most vulnerable ecosystems change, enhance help ensure greater chance success warming world. They more likely provide essential contributions global targets protect natural biodiversity human communities rely

Language: Английский

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