scholarly journals Potential contribution of fish restocking to the recovery of deteriorated coral reefs: an alternative restoration method?

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e1732 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uri Obolski ◽  
Lilach Hadany ◽  
Avigdor Abelson
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Rapid Decline ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Reef Management ◽  
Reef Restoration ◽  
Reef Recovery ◽  
Restoration Method

Counteracting the worldwide trend of coral reef degeneration is a major challenge for the scientific community. A crucial management approach to minimizing stress effects on healthy reefs and helping the recovery of disturbed reefs is reef protection. However, the current rapid decline of the world’s reefs suggests that protection might be insufficient as a viable stand-alone management approach for some reefs. We thus suggest that the ecological restoration of coral reefs (CRR) should be considered as a valid component of coral reef management, in addition to protection, if the applied method is economically applicable and scalable. This theoretical study examines the potential applicability and outcomes of restocking grazers as a restoration tool for coral reef recovery—a tool that has not been applied so far in reef restoration projects. We studied the effect of restocking grazing fish as a restoration method using a mathematical model of degrading reefs, and analyzed the financial outcomes of the restocking intervention. The results suggest that applying this restoration method, in addition to protection, can facilitate reef recovery. Moreover, our analysis suggests that the restocking approach almost always becomes profitable within several years. Considering the relatively low cost of this restoration approach and the feasibility of mass production of herbivorous fish, we suggest that this approach should be considered and examined as an additional viable restoration tool for coral reefs.

scholarly journals Potential contribution of fish restocking to the recovery of deteriorated coral reefs: an alternative restoration method?

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uri Obolski ◽  
Lilach Hadany ◽  
Avigdor Abelson
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Rapid Decline ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Reef Management ◽  
Reef Restoration ◽  
Reef Recovery ◽  
Restoration Method

Counteracting the worldwide trend of coral reef degeneration is a major challenge for the scientific community. A crucial management approach to minimizing stress effects on healthy reefs and helping the recovery of disturbed reefs is reef protection. However, the current rapid decline of the world's reefs suggests that protection might be insufficient as a viable stand-alone management approach for some reefs. We thus suggest that the ecological restoration of coral reefs (CRR) should be considered as a valid component of coral reef management, in addition to protection, if the applied method is economically applicable and scalable. This theoretical study examines the potential applicability and outcomes of restocking grazers as a restoration tool for coral reef recovery – a tool that has not been applied so far in reef restoration projects. We studied the effect of restocking grazing fish as a restoration method using a mathematical model of degrading reefs, and analyzed the financial outcomes of the restocking intervention. The results suggest that applying this restoration method, in addition to protection, can facilitate reef recovery. Moreover, our analysis suggests that the restocking approach almost always becomes profitable within several years. Considering the relatively low cost of this restoration approach and the feasibility of mass production of herbivorous fish, we suggest that this approach should be considered and examined as an additional viable restoration tool for coral reefs.

scholarly journals Potential contribution of fish restocking to the recovery of deteriorated coral reefs: an alternative restoration method?

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uri Obolski ◽  
Lilach Hadany ◽  
Avigdor Abelson
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Rapid Decline ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Reef Management ◽  
Reef Restoration ◽  
Reef Recovery ◽  
Restoration Method

Counteracting the worldwide trend of coral reef degeneration is a major challenge for the scientific community. A crucial management approach to minimizing stress effects on healthy reefs and helping the recovery of disturbed reefs is reef protection. However, the current rapid decline of the world's reefs suggests that protection might be insufficient as a viable stand-alone management approach for some reefs. We thus suggest that the ecological restoration of coral reefs (CRR) should be considered as a valid component of coral reef management, in addition to protection, if the applied method is economically applicable and scalable. This theoretical study examines the potential applicability and outcomes of restocking grazers as a restoration tool for coral reef recovery – a tool that has not been applied so far in reef restoration projects. We studied the effect of restocking grazing fish as a restoration method using a mathematical model of degrading reefs, and analyzed the financial outcomes of the restocking intervention. The results suggest that applying this restoration method, in addition to protection, can facilitate reef recovery. Moreover, our analysis suggests that the restocking approach almost always becomes profitable within several years. Considering the relatively low cost of this restoration approach and the feasibility of mass production of herbivorous fish, we suggest that this approach should be considered and examined as an additional viable restoration tool for coral reefs.

Reef Foraminifera As Bioindicator Of Coral Reef Health in Pulau Tioman, Pahang, Malaysia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aishah Norashikin Abdul A’ziz ◽  
Fatin Izzati Minhat ◽  
Pan Hui-Juan ◽  
Hasrizal Shaari ◽  
Wan Nurzalia Wan Saelan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Dominant Species ◽  
Peninsular Malaysia ◽  
Coastal Development ◽  
Assessment And Monitoring ◽  
Reef Recovery ◽  
Reef Health ◽  
Coral Reef Area ◽  
Reduced Water

Abstract Pulau Tioman is one of the famous tourism islands in Peninsular Malaysia due to the beautiful terrestrial and coral reefs ecosystem. This study aims to assess and monitor the health of coral reef sites surrounding Pulau Tioman based on the application of Foraminifera in Reef Assessment and Monitoring (FORAM) Index. A total of ten selected sampling sites from west and east side of Pulau Tioman were setup in front of the major beach areas around Pulau Tioman. At each site, 100 m transect was laid out from shore towards the reef slope and surface sediment samples were collected at 50 m intervals. Eight orders, 41 families, 80 genera and 161 species of benthic foraminifera were identified around Pulau Tioman. Amphistegina lessonii found to be the most dominant species and the least dominant species (< 4%) are Bolivina vadescens, Elphidium neosimplex, Heterolepa dutemplei, Heterolepa subhaidingerii, Mikrobelodontos bradyi, Milliolinella suborbicularis, Operculina discoidalis, Parahourinoides fragillissimus, Quinqueloculina incisa, Quinqueloculina sulcate, Triloculinella bertheliniana and Triloculinella parisa. The highest and lowest numbers of species was recorded at station J3 and station F3. The agglutinated type of foraminifera contributed between 2–8% of the total assemblages. Meanwhile, calcareous hyaline and porcelaneous group represent 79% and 19% of total assemblages respectively. Based on the functional groups, symbiont-bearing taxa were the most common foraminiferal found in most of the stations. The present study indicates that majority of sampling sites around Pulau Tioman are conducive for coral reef growth and could recover from any future bleaching events or temporary damage in the ecosystem. However, several areas with higher coastal development and tourism activities has reduced water quality (FI < 4) and chances of better reef recovery. Thus, the number of visitors and tourists should be revised in order to produce a better condition for coral reefs to grow. This assumption is based on the established results of the FORAM index. Thus, we suppose that FORAM index could be used together with coral reef health index in other reef ecosystems around Malaysia to determine the condition and status of coral reef area.

scholarly journals Perspectives on the Use of Coral Reef Restoration as a Strategy to Support and Improve Reef Ecosystem Services

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaux Y. Hein ◽  
Tali Vardi ◽  
Elizabeth C. Shaver ◽  
Sylvain Pioch ◽  
Lisa Boström-Einarsson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
United Nations ◽  
Management Strategy ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
United Nations Environment Programme ◽  
Reef Management ◽  
Science And Policy ◽  
Reef Restoration ◽  
The United Nations ◽  
Nations Environment

In 2019, the United Nations Environment Assembly requested that the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) define best practices for coral restoration. Guidelines led by the UNEP were prepared by a team of 20 experts in coral reef management, science, and policy to catalog the best-available knowledge in the field and provide realistic recommendations for the use of restoration as a reef management strategy. Here, we provide a synthesis of these guidelines. Specifically, we present (1) a case for the value of coral reef restoration in the face of increasing frequency and intensity of disturbances associated with climate change, (2) a set of recommendations for improving the use of coral reef restoration as a reef management strategy, tailored to goals and current methods. Coral reef restoration can be a useful tool to support resilience, especially at local scales where coral recruitment is limited, and disturbances can be mitigated. While there is limited evidence of long-term, ecologically relevant success of coral reef restoration efforts, ongoing investments in research and development are likely to improve the scale, and cost-efficiency of current methods. We conclude that coral reef restoration should not be seen as a “silver bullet” to address ecological decline and should be applied appropriately, with due diligence, and in concert with other broad reef resilience management strategies.

scholarly journals MANFAAT LANGSUNG TERUMBU KARANG DI DESA TUMBAK KABUPATEN MINAHASA TENGGARA

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 58
Author(s):  
Ingrid Sembiring ◽  
Adnan Sj Wantasen ◽  
Edwin LA Ngangi
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Fishing Ground ◽  
Residential Areas ◽  
Direct Benefit ◽  
Direct Benefits ◽  
Coral Reef Ecosystems

Penangkapan ikan yang destruktif (menggunakan bom dan racun) dan pengambilan karang un­tuk dijadikan fondasi rumah menjadi isu dalam pengelolaan pesisir di Desa Tumbak. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah (1) Mengetahui nilai manfaat langsung terumbu karang sebagai tempat penangkapan ikan oleh masyarakat di Desa Tumbak; (2) Mengetahui nilai manfaat langsung terumbu karang sebagai bahan ba­ngunan oleh masyarakat di Desa Tumbak; (3) Mengetahui total nilai pemanfaatan terumbu karang seba­gai tempat penangkapan ikan dan sebagai bahan bangunan oleh masyarakat di Desa Tumbak. Nilai man­faat langsung terumbu karang untuk fondasi rumah diperoleh Rp6.177.600 per tahun dan nilai manfaat langsung terumbu karang untuk penangkapan ikan karang Rp4.860.000.000. Total nilai manfaat langsung dari kedua pemanfaatan ini yaitu: Rp4.866.177.600. Total nilai ini belum termasuk pemanfaatan dalam bentuk lain terhadap ekosistem terumbu karang. Pemanfaatan terumbu karang sebagai bahan bangunan terutama disebabkan oleh faktor biaya yang murah dan jarak yang dekat dengan pemukiman. Praktik pe­manfaatan yang tidak berkelanjutan ini menyebabkan degradasi kondisi terumbu karang sehingga tutupan karang hidup berada dalam kategori rusak (sedang). Jika terjadi terus-menerus, hal ini dapat menghilang­kan fungsi ekologis sebagai peredam ombak dan fungsi ekonomis sebagai sumber pangan. Kata kunci: Tumbak; nilai manfaat langsung; terumbu karang; ekosistem   The issues of destructive fishing practices (using of bombs and poisons) and the use of corals as construction building materials have become issues in coastal management in Tumbak Village. The aims of this study are (1) to find out the value of the direct benefits of coral reefs as fishing ground to the com­munities in Tumbak village, (2) to find out the value of the direct benefits of coral reefs as building mate­rials to the communities in Tumbak village; (3) to find out the total value of the use of coral reefs as a fishing ground and as a construction materials for to the communities in Tumbak village. The value of direct benefit of the coral reef for building foundation was Rp 6,177,600 per year and the value of direct benefits for fishing was Rp 4,860,000,000. Total value of direct benefits from both of these uses was Rp 4,866,177,600. Total value did not include the use of other forms of coral reef ecosystems. In conclusi­ons, the use of coral reefs as a building materials were mainly due to the low cost and the proximity to residential areas. Such category unsustainable practice has led to the degradation of coral reefs down to damaged category (medium category). If this happened continuously, the ecological function as wave protectors and economic functions as a source of food could be eliminated. Keywords: Tumbak; direct benefit value; coral reefs; ecosystem.

scholarly journals Coral Reef Restoration using Nursery-Reared Coral Fragments in a LGU-Academe Ushered Community Project in Masbate (Philippines)

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonino B. Mendoza, Jr. ◽  
Victor S. Soliman ◽  
Plutomeo M. Nieves ◽  
Florizel M. Lim
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Private Sector ◽  
Protected Area ◽  
Marine Protected Area ◽  
Project Success ◽  
Economic Recovery ◽  
Reef Restoration ◽  
Community Project ◽  
San Fernando

With the declining state of Philippine coral reefs, the need for conservation and rehabilitation efforts are deemed crucial to sustaining ecological, biological and economic recovery in the reef system. However, there is yet a concrete and workable policy to be implemented in restoring and rehabilitating our reef areas aside from establishment of marine protected area (MPA). Here, we explored the prospects of coral restoration by demonstrating experiences in San Fernando, Masbate (Ticao Island) combined with the practices of the National Coral Restoration Program. In this project, some 20,000 coral nubbins utilizing ‘corals of opportunities’ were reared in 40 coral nursery units (CNUs) for six months and achieved 80% survival. They were then out-planted (c. 20,000 sq m) inside an MPA to ensure their protection and increase in live cover.  The fragments were attached to dead corals using epoxy or tied in concrete nails using cable ties. Four coral genera were used namely Acropora, Seriatopora, Pocillopora, and Stylophora. About 70% coral survival was achieved after two months of transplantation. Involvement of the LGU, community and the private sector is crucial to project success. Results of the transplantation indicated effectiveness and viability of the CNU system to complement coral transplantation.

scholarly journals Exploring the Lack of Funding for Coral Reef Research and it’s Effects on Coral Reef Management and Conservation

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenna Bushnell ◽  
Soo Park
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Marine Biology ◽  
Government Officials ◽  
Reef Management ◽  
Research Programs ◽  
College Professor ◽  
Initial Assumption ◽  
Coral Reef Ecosystems

Climate change is greatly harming coral reefs (Gibbs and West, 2019). It is important to research how to help these coral reefs build resilience against climate change but research programs are severely underfunded (Johnston et al. 2020). This paper explored how lack of funding prevents scientists from saving coral reefs and how scientists themselves can be affected. The goal of this paper was to bring to light the struggles faced in the midst of underfunding to feasibly gain support from politicians and government officials to promote funding for these programs. Through three virtual interviews with two scientists and one college professor, I gathered personal experiences from these participants on how coral reefs are being affected today, why research is necessary, and how lack of funding prevents the restoration of these reefs. With the use of a thematic analysis, I was able to recognize common themes between the interviews in order to conclude how lack of program funding prevents scientists from managing and restoring these coral reef ecosystems. The initial assumption for this paper was that coral reef research is underfunded because coral reefs are considered less important, however, the analysis of the data for this paper concluded that all research programs are underfunded. In essence, marine biology, in general, is underfunded as opposed to mainly research on coral reefs. As a result, scientists can be very limited in their abilities to conduct research.

The Biology of Coral Reefs

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Sheppard ◽  
Simon Davy ◽  
Graham Pilling ◽  
Nicholas Graham
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Marine Biology ◽  
Environmental Science ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Rapid Decline ◽  
Previous Knowledge ◽  
The Many ◽  
Endangered Status ◽  
Selection Of

Coral reefs represent the most spectacular and diverse marine ecosystem on the planet as well as a critical source of protein and income for many millions of people. Ecologically they are as complex as they are diverse and colourful. However, the combined effects of human activities have led to a rapid decline worldwide in the health of reefs. This timely book provides an integrated overview of the function, physiology, ecology and behaviour of coral reef organisms. Each chapter is enriched with a selection of ‘boxes’ on specific aspects written by internationally recognized experts. As with other books in the Biology of Habitats Series, the emphasis in this book is on the organisms that dominate this marine environment, although pollution, conservation, climate change and experimental aspects are also included. Indeed, particular emphasis is placed on conservation and management due to the habitat’s critically endangered status. A global range of examples is employed which gives the book international relevance. This accessible text is intended for students, naturalists and professionals and assumes no previous knowledge of coral reef biology. It is particularly suitable for both senior undergraduate and graduate students (in departments of biology, geography, and environmental science) taking courses in coral reef ecology, marine biology, oceanography and conservation biology, as well as the many professional ecologists and conservation biologists requiring a concise overview of the topic. It will also be of relevance and use to reef managers, recreational divers and amateur naturalists.

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