| The potential for coral transplantation as a coral reef restoration and resource management strategy was investigated, modeled on asexual fragment-based recovery processes. I focus on lower energy back reef and reef flat areas dominated by unstable rubble and sand, areas where recruitment of coral larvae is inhibited, preventing the recovery or development of coral populations. Unstable substrata dominate on reefs impacted by destructive fishing and coral harvesting, and thus the study is relevant to the restoration of such degraded reef areas.; Transplantation experiments were carried out in southwestern Puerto Rico. Fragments of Acropora cervicornis and A. prolifera were scattered unattached onto the substrata or secured to lines and frames. Each method was investigated as a means for growing corals for sustainable harvest or as transplants to restore coral reefs. Experimental factors investigated were effects of fragment size, substratum, and within-colony origin on mortality, relative growth, branchiness, and attachment. Clones from both high and low energy areas were used to determine the relative importance of intraspecific variability and source environment on experimental outcomes. Coral colonies >25cm high were transplanted at various distances from reefs on sand and seagrass to test for differences in fish recruitment to transplants.; Results indicate highly significant size-dependent survival. Apical fragments had significantly lower mortality than did inner/older fragments, indicating potential senescence. Highly significant differences in growth rates, mortality, and branching between clones and species were evident one year later, with up to a six-fold difference in relative growth based on clone alone. Back reef and reef front morphotypes of A. cervicornis differed significantly in branch diameter, relative growth, and attachment ability after growing together for one year, suggesting a genetic basis to morphology and adaptation to specific environments. Frame culture was particularly effective as a method, with individual coral branches growing up to 37x during the year. Coral colonies transplanted >30m from reefs harbored significantly more fish than colonies <3m from reefs. A natural process of hurricane-mediated patch reef formation in the sandy back reef was substantiated during the study as well, with hurricane transport of A. cervicornis colonies up to 127m. |
