Coral reef restoration: An Interference of differing consequences

This topic submitted by jen burger ( jburger4@mail.rochester.edu) at 11:22 PM on 5/31/07.

The back of our truck was home on San Salvador in the Bahamas

Tropical Field Courses -Interdisciplinary Studies-Miami University

Coral reef accretion continues to be defeated by an influx of disturbances caused by a range of outside sources. Anthropogenic impacts by the human race have administered blows of colossal degrees on reefs across the globe. This has greatly hindered a reefÕs ability to recover naturally and so has birthed a new recovery effort. Coral reef restoration, while still in its infancy, is one of the newest additions to coastal environment recovery. I will be looking at and discussing what can and is being done once a reef system has become too injured to recover the way it once could. I will relay the different types of reef restoration and discuss which are thought to be the most beneficial to reefs, their inhabitants, and their surrounding environments.

I. Reef Rehabilitation vs. Restoration
a. Definitions
b. Which is preferred by ecologists?

II. Indirect Action
a. Discussion on eliminating sources of anthropogenic disturbances
b. Why is this the best choice for restoration?

III. Reef Repair
a. Options for repair

IV. Triage
a. Recovery and reattachment

V. Restoring Structural Integrity
a. Importance of Structural Features

VI. Restoring Topographic Complexity
a. Why reef topography is important
b. What can be done to aid in its restoration
c. Materials that are best for the surrounding environment

VII. Transplantation
a. Advantages
b. Disadvantages
c. Decision Flow Chart for Possible Transplantation

VIII. Artificial Reefs
a. Goals of using artificial reefs
b. Affects on Surrounding Natural Environment
c. Attraction-Production Debate
d. Advantages
e. Disadvantages
f. Options for Materials
g. Options for Structures

IX. Coral Reef ÔGardeningÕ and ÔSeedingÕ
a. Where gardened corals come from
b. Discussion of coral ÔseedingÕ

References

Precht, William. Coral Reef Restoration Handbook. 1st. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 2006.

Perkol-Finkel, S., Shashar, and Benayahu. "Can artificial reefs mimic natural reef communities? The roles of structural features and age." Marine Environmental Research 61(2006): 121-135.

Yap, Helen. "Coral reef "restoration" and coral transplantation." Marine Pollution Bulletin 46(2003): 529.

Yeemin, Thamasak, Sutthacheep, and Pettongma. "Coral reef restoration projects in Thailand." Ocean and Coastal Management 49(2006): 562-575.

Edwards, Alasdair, and Clark. "Coral Transplantation: A Useful Management Tool or Misguided Meddling?." Marine Pollution Bulletin 37(1998): 474-487.

Einbinder, Shai, Perelberg, Ben-Shaprut, Foucart, and Shashar. "Effects on artificial reefs on fish grazing in their vicinity: Evidence from algae presentation experiments." Marine Environmental research. 61(2006): 110-119.

Lan, Chun-Hsiung, and Hsui. "The deployment of artificial reef ecosystem: Modelling, simulation and application." Simulation Modelling Practice and Theory 14(2006): 663-675.

Yap, Helen. "The case for restoration of tropical coastal ecosystems." Ocean and Coastal Mangement 43(2000): 841-851.

Perkol-Finkel, S., and Benayahu. "Differential recruitment of benthic communities on neighboring artificial and natural reefs." Journal of Experiemental Marine Biology and Ecology 340(2007): 25-39.

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