Micro-fragmentation as a Community-Based Coral Restoration Technique in a Developing Country

Georgia A Lennox

The need for restoration of coral reefs is increasing rapidly due to anthropogenic impacts and climate change. A variety of restoration methodologies are used, with micro-fragmentation showing promising results for increasing coral growth rates. Published literature on Acropora restoration has high variation in the size of utilized fragments, and the source of the fragments is often unknown, creating potentially unreliable results. The measuring methods are also inconsistent, and often inaccessible, making it hard to compare the findings between studies. This study aims to determine if micro-fragmentation increases the growth rate of Acropora, using specified fragment sizes and determine if current restoration and monitoring methodologies can be applied in remote communities. Seventy-two Acropora fragments were harvested from three wild mother colonies and cut into three size categories (2cm, 3cm and 5cm). Thirty-six fragments were placed at an ocean culture site, and thirty-six were placed at an aquarium culture site. Total Linear Extension and health were measured every two weeks to determine the effect of size and culture method on total linear extension, growth rates, relative growth, health and mortality rates. A cost analysis was also completed on the used methodology, and a proposed improved methodology based on findings from this study, to determine if it is applicable in a developing country. Overall, the ocean-based culture method showed higher growth, health and survival, with the 5cm fragments showing the greatest growth. Both the used and proposed improved aquaria culture method proved to be cheaper than the ocean-based culture method. It was determined that micro-fragmentation does not increase the growth rate or survivorship of Acropora, and growth is more successful using the ocean culture, unless adequate water quality controls can be implemented for the aquarium method.

Micro-fragmentation as a Community-Based Coral Restoration Technique in a Developing Country

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