Successful establishment of a coral nursery for active reef restoration in Kavaratti Island, Lakshadweep archipelago
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.9078.16.9.25831-25842Keywords:
Acropora, Arabian sea, artificial substrate, atoll, coral fragments, coral nursery, coral reef, Indian Ocean, lagoon, transplantationAbstract
The achievements in successfully establishing coral nurseries using asexually reproduced transplants in Kavaratti Island, Lakshadweep archipelago are presented. During the present study, the survival and growth of 180 fragments of corals fixed on concrete blocks with iron frames laid over a 40 m2 area near reefs inside the lagoon of Kavaratti atoll were assessed. Significant differences in growth were observed between acroporid and non-acroporid corals after two years of transplantation. Acropora muricata (31.1 ± 0.4 cm) and Isopora palifera (15.9 ± 3.4 cm) displayed the highest and lowest growth rates among acroporid corals and Pocillopora damicornis (481.9 ± 68.4 cm3) and Hydnophora microconos (33.4 ± 15.7 cm3) had the highest and lowest rates, among non-acroporid corals. A diverse fish assemblage comprising 21 species belonging to 10 families was observed at the transplantation site, with Chromis viridis and Dascyllus aruanus being the dominant species. The success achieved in this study makes it an ideal approach to be used elsewhere in the Lakshadweep archipelago and the wider Indian Ocean region to develop underwater tourism and promote science-based management and restoration of coral reefs.
References
Abelson, A., U. Obolski, P. Regoniel & L. Hadany (2016). Restocking herbivorous fish populations as a social-ecological restoration tool in coral reefs. Frontiers in Marine Science 3: 138. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2016.00138
Allen, G.R. & R. Steene (2007). Indo-Pacific Coral Reef Field Guide. Tropical Reef Research. Ecology Progress Series 15: 265–274
Ammar, M.S.A., F.A.H.M.Y. El-Gammal, M. Nassar, A. Belal, W. Farag, G. El-Mesiry & A. Shaaban (2013). Current trends in coral transplantation an approach to preserve biodiversity. Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity 14(1): 43–53. https://doi.org/ 10.13057/biodiv/d140107
Bellwood, D.R., T.P. Hughes, C. Folke & M. Nystrom (2004). Confronting the coral reef crisis. Nature 429: 827–833. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature02691
Boström-Einarsson, L., R.C. Babcock, E. Bayraktarov, D. Ceccarelli, N. Cook, S.C. Ferse & I.M. McLeod (2020). Coral restoration– a systematic review of current methods, successes, failures and future directions. PloS ONE 15(1): e0226631. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0226631
Bowden-Kerby, A. (2003). Coral transplantation and restocking to accelerate the recovery of coral reef habitats and fisheries resources within no-take marine protected areas: hands-on approaches to support community-based coral reef management 1–15.
Brock, V.E. (1954). A preliminary report on a method of estimating reef fish populations. Journal of Wildlife Management 18: 297–308.
Bruckner, A.W. (2002). Proceedings of the Caribbean Acropora workshop: potential application of the United States Endangered Species Act as a Conservation Strategy. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Technical Memorandum National Marine Fisheries Service – Office of Protected Resources - 24 Silver Spring, MD 184 pp.
Burke, L., K. Reytar, M. Spalding & A. Perry (2011). Reefs at Risk Revisited. World Resources Institute, Washington DC, 72 pp.
Clark, S. & A.J. Edwards (1995). Coral transplantation as an aid to reef rehabilitation: evaluation of a case study in the Maldive Islands. Coral Reefs 14: 201–213. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00334342
Connell, J.H. (1978). Diversity in tropical rain forests and coral reefs. Science 199(4335): 1302–1310. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.199.4335.1302
Cruz dela, D.W & P.L. Harrison (2017). Enhanced larval supply and recruitment can replenish reef corals on degraded reefs. Scientific Reports. Springer 7: 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-016-0028-x
Davidson, J., A. Thompson, M. Logan & B. Schaffelke (2019). High spatio-temporal variability in Acroporidae settlement to inshore reefs of the Great Barrier Reef. PLoS ONE 14(1): e0209771. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0209771
Eddy, T.D., V.W. Lam, G. Reygondeau, A.M. Cisneros-Montemayor, K. Greer, M.L.D. Palomares, J.F. Bruno, Y. Ota & W.W. Cheung (2021). Global decline in capacity of coral reefs to provide ecosystem services. One Earth 4(9): 1278–1285. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2021.08.016
Edwards, A.J. & S. Clark (1999). Coral transplantation: a useful management tool or misguided meddling?. Marine Pollution Bulletin 37(8–12): 474–487. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0025-326X(99)00145-9
Edwards, A.J. & E.D. Gomez (2007). Reef restoration concepts and guidelines: making sensible management choices in the face of uncertainty, pp. 10–24. In: Coral Reef Targeted Research and Capacity Building for Management Program. St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia, 38 pp.
Edwards, A.J. (2010). Reef Rehabilitation Manual. The Coral Reef Targeted Research and capacity building for management program, Queensland, Australia, 166 pp.
Ferse, S.C. (2010). Poor performance of corals transplanted onto substrates of short durability. Restoration Ecology 18(4): 399–407. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1526-100X.2010.00682.x
Ferrier-Pages, C., J.P. Gattuso & J. Jaubert (1999). Effect of small variations in salinity on the rates of photosynthesis and respiration of the zooxanthellate coral Stylophora pistillata. Marine Ecology Progress Series 181: 309–314. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps181309
Fricke, R., W.N. Eschmeyer & R. van der Laan (eds.) (2023). Eschmeyer’s Catalogue of Fishes. 15.02.2023 http://researcharchive.calacademy.org/research/ichthyology/catalog/fishcatmain.asp
Garrison, V.H. & G. Ward (2012). Transplantation of storm-generated coral fragments to enhance Caribbean coral reefs: a successful method but not a solution. Revista de Biología Tropical 60(S1): 59–70. https://doi.org/10.15517/rbt.v60i0.19845
Goren, R. (1992). Benthic communities on artificial substrata at Eilat (Red Sea). M.Sc. Thesis. Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv (in Hebrew, English summary).
Halpern, B.S., M. Frazier, J. Afflerbach, J.S. Lowndes, F. Micheli & C. O’Hara (2019). Recent pace of change in human impact on the world’s ocean. Science Reporter 9(1): 11609. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-47201-9
Harriott, V.J. (1999). Coral growth in subtropical eastern Australia. Coral Reefs 18: 281–291. https://doi.org/10.1007/s003380050195
Hein, M.Y., I.M. McLeod, E.C. Shaver, T. Vardi, S. Pioch, Boström-Einarsson, M. Ahmed & G. Grimsditch (2020). Coral Reef Restoration as a strategy to improve ecosystem services: a guide to coral restoration methods. Nairobi, Kenya: United Nations Environment Programme, 72 pp. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.618303
Hoegh-Guldberg, O. (1999). Climate change, coral bleaching and the future of the world’s coral reefs. Marine and Freshwater Research 50: 839–866. https://doi.org/10.1071/MF99078
Howlett, L., E.F. Camp, J. Edmondson, N. Henderson & D.J. Suggett (2021). Coral growth, survivorship and return-on-effort within nurseries at high-value sites on the Great Barrier Reef. PloS ONE 16(1): e0244961. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0244961
Idreesbabu, K.K., C.A. Riyas, M.K.R. Beegum, B. Meena, M.P.I. Nasarulla & T.M. Sharafudheen (2017). Annual Report. Intensification and Developing Reef Restoration Technology. Department of Science & Technology, Administration of Union Territory of Lakshadweep, 66 pp.
IPBES, W. (2019). Intergovernmental science-policy platform on biodiversity and ecosystem services. Summary for Policy Makers of the Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. IPBES Secretariat, Bonn, Germany.
Issifu, I., J.J. Alava, V.W. Lam & U.R. Sumaila (2021). Impact of ocean warming, overfishing and mercury on European fisheries: a risk assessment and policy solution framework. Frontiers in Marine Science 8: 770805. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.770805
Kaladharan, P. & A. Anasukoya (2020). Plastic pollution in the islands of Laccadive archipelago and its possible impact on the atoll ecosystem. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India 62(1): 119–122. https://doi.org/10.6024/jmbai.2020.62.1.2159-0x
Kelley, R. (2009). Coral Finder: Indo-Pacific Underwater Identification Guide. BYOGUIDES, Townsville, Australia, 30 pp.
Kuiter, R.H. (2014). Fishes of the Maldives: Indian Ocean, Cairns, Atoll Editions, Australia, 296 pp.
Kuiter, R.H. & T. Tonozuka (2001). Pictorial Guide to Indonesian Reef Fishes. Zoonetics, Seaford, Australia.
Kumar, J.S.Y., C. Satyanarayana, K. Venkataraman & K. Chandra (2017). Studies on survival and growth rate of transplanted Acroporidae in Gulf of Kachchh Marine National Park, India. Journal of Coastal Conservation 21(1): 23–34. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11852-016-0465-5
Lizcano-Sandoval, L.D., E. Londono-Cruz & F.A. Zapata (2018). Growth and survival of Pocillopora damicornis (Scleractinia: Pocilloporidae) coral fragments and their potential for coral reef restoration in the tropical eastern Pacific. Marine Biology Research 14(8): 887–897. https://doi.org/10.1080/17451000.2018.1528011
Mahmoud, A.M., A.D. Mahmoud, N.M. Hussein, M. El-Metwally, M.M. Maaty, Omar, M.Y. Seraj & T. Mohammed (2019). Survivorship and growth rates for some transplanted coral reef building species and their potential for coral reef rehabilitation in the Red Sea. Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries 23(2): 183–193. https://doi.org/10.21608/EJABF.2019.30291
Moberg, F. & C. Folke (1999). Ecological goods and services of coral reef ecosystems. Ecological Economics 29(2): 215–233. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0921-8009(99)00009-9
Mohamed, T.A.A. & A.M. Mohamed (2005). Some ecological factors affecting coral reef assemblages off Hurghada, Red Sea, Egypt. Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Research 31: 133–145
Obura, D., M. Gudka, M. Samoilys, K. Osuka, J. Mbugua, D.A. Keith, S. Porter, R. Roche, R. van Hooidonk, S. Ahamada, A. Araman, J. Karisa, J. Komakoma, M. Madi, I. Ravinia, H. Razafindrainibe, S. Yahya & F. Zivane (2022). Vulnerability to collapse of coral reef ecosystems in the western Indian Ocean. Nature Sustainability 5(2): 104–113. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-021-00817-0
Odum, H.T. & E.P. Odum (1955). Trophic structure and productivity of a windward coral reef community on Eniwetok Atoll. Ecological Monographs 25(3): 291–320. https://doi.org/10.2307/1943285
Oliver, J.K., B.E. Chalker & W.C. Dunlap (1983). Bathymetric adaptations of reef building corals at Davies Reef, Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Long–term growth-responses of Acropora formosa (Dana, 1846). Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 73: 11–35. https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-0981(83)90003-5
Omori, M. (2019). Coral restoration research and technical developments: what we have learned so far. Marine Biology Research 15(7): 377–409. https://doi.org/10.1080/17451000.2019.1662050
Putchim, L., N. Thongtham, A. Hewett & H. Chansang (2008). Survival and growth of Acropora sp. in mid-water nursery and after transplantation at Phi Phi Islands, Andaman Sea, Thailand. Proceeding of the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, 7–11 July 2008 Session No. 24. 1258–1261.
Ramesh, C.H., S. Koushik, T. Shunmugaraj & M.V.R. Murthy (2019). Factors Affecting Coral Reefs in Mandapam Group of Islands in Gulf of Mannar, India. Journal of Wildlife Research 7(02): 16–22.
Ramesh, C.H., S. Koushik, T. Shunmugaraj & M.V.R. Murthy (2020). Seasonal studies on in situ coral transplantation in the Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve, southeast coast of Tamil Nadu, India. Ecological Engineering 152–105884. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2020.105884
Rilov, G. & Y. Benayahu (2000). Fish assemblage on natural versus vertical artificial reefs: the rehabilitation perspective. Marine Biology 136(5): 931–942. https://doi.org/10.1007/s002279900250
Rinkevich, B. (2005). Conservation of coral reefs through active restoration measures: recent approaches and last decade progress. Environmental Science & Technology 39(12): 4333–4342. https://doi.org/10.1021/es0482583
Rinkevich, B. (2014). Rebuilding coral reefs: does active reef restoration lead to sustainable reefs? Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability 7: 28–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2013.11.018
Riyas, C.A., K.K. Idreesbabu, N. Marimuthu & S. Sureshkumar (2019). Impact of the Tropical Cyclone Ockhi on ecological and geomorphological structures of the small low-lying Islands in the central Indian Ocean. Regional Studies in Marine Science 33: 100963. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2019.100963
Roth, F., F. Saalmann, T. Thomson, D.J. Coker, R. Villalobos, B.H. Jones, C. Wild & S. Carvalho (2018). Coral reef degradation affects the potential for reef recovery after disturbance. Marine Environmental Research (142): 48–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2018.09.022
Sam, S.Q., C.S.L. Ng, Y.P. Kikuzawa, T.C. Toh, W.T. Sim & L.M. Chou (2021). Influence of fragment size on post transplantation growth and survival of domed scleractinian corals. Marine Biology Research 17(4): 327–340. https://doi.org/10.1080/17451000.2021.1957934
Schartup, A., C. Thackray, A. Qureshi, C. Dassuncao, K. Gillespie & A. Hanke (2019). Climate change and overfishing increase neurotoxicant in marine predators. Nature 572: 648–650. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-019-1468-9
Shafir, S., A. Edwards, B. Rinkevich, L. Bongiorni, G. Levy & L. Shaish (2010). Constructing and managing nurseries for asexual rearing of corals, pp. 49–71. In: Edwards, A. (Ed.). Reef Rehabilitation manual. Coral reef targeted research & capacity building for management program. St. Lucia, Australia.
Shenoi, S.S.C., D. Shankar & S.R. Shetye (1999). On the sea surface temperature high in the Lakshadweep Sea before the onset of the southwest monsoon. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans 104(C7): 15703–15712. https://doi.org/10.1029/1998JC900080
Suggett, D.J. & M.J. van Oppen (2022). Horizon scan of rapidly advancing coral restoration approaches for 21st century reef management. Emerging Topics in Life Sciences 6(1): 125–136. https://doi.org/10.1042/ETLS20210240
Ulfah, I., S. Yusuf, R.A. Rappe, A. Bahar, A. Haris, J. Tresnati & A. Tuwo (2020). Coral conditions and reef fish presence in the coral transplantation area on Kapoposang Island, Pangkep Regency, South Sulawesi. In: IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 473(1): 012058. IOP Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/473/1/012058
Wilkinson, C.R. (1998). Status of Coral Reefs of the World. Australian Institute of Marine Sciences, Cape Ferguson, Queensland, western Australia, 184 pp.
Yap, H.T., R.M. Alvarez, H.M. Custodio III & R.M. Dizon (1998). Physiological and ecological aspects of coral transplantation. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 229(1): 69–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-0981(98)00041-0
Young, C.N., S.A. Schopmeyer & D. Lirman (2012). A Review of reef restoration and coral propagation using the threatened genus Acropora in the Caribbean and western Atlantic. Bulletin of Marine Science 88: 1075–1098. https://doi.org/10. 5343/bms.2011.1143
Yucharoen, M., S. Thammachote, A. Jaroenpon, S. Lamka & N.Thongtham (2013). Coral transplantation in turbid waters at Rad Island, Phuket, Thailand. Galaxea Journal of Coral Reef Studies 15(Supplement): 343–350. https://doi.org/10.3755/galaxea.15.343
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 C.A. Riyas, K.K. Idreesbabu, Rajeev Raghavan, S. Sureshkumar
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors own the copyright to the articles published in JoTT. This is indicated explicitly in each publication. The authors grant permission to the publisher Wildlife Information Liaison Development (WILD) Society to publish the article in the Journal of Threatened Taxa. The authors recognize WILD as the original publisher, and to sell hard copies of the Journal and article to any buyer. JoTT is registered under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY), which allows authors to retain copyright ownership. Under this license the authors allow anyone to download, cite, use the data, modify, reprint, copy and distribute provided the authors and source of publication are credited through appropriate citations (e.g., Son et al. (2016). Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) of the southeastern Truong Son Mountains, Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam. Journal of Threatened Taxa 8(7): 8953–8969. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.2785.8.7.8953-8969). Users of the data do not require specific permission from the authors or the publisher.
