Enhancing reef carbonate budgets through coral restoration
Abstract Complex reef structure, built via calcium carbonate production by stony corals and other calcifying taxa, supports key ecosystem services. However, the decline in coral cover on reefs of the Florida Reef Tract (US), caused by ocean warming, disease, and other stressors, has led to erosion e...
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Nature Portfolio
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-76799-8 |
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| author | Emily Esplandiu John Morris Ian Enochs Nicole Besemer Diego Lirman |
| author_facet | Emily Esplandiu John Morris Ian Enochs Nicole Besemer Diego Lirman |
| author_sort | Emily Esplandiu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Complex reef structure, built via calcium carbonate production by stony corals and other calcifying taxa, supports key ecosystem services. However, the decline in coral cover on reefs of the Florida Reef Tract (US), caused by ocean warming, disease, and other stressors, has led to erosion exceeding accretion, causing net loss of reef framework. Active coral restoration, aimed at rapidly increasing coral cover, is essential for recovering reef structure and function. Traditionally, restoration success focused on the survivorship and growth of transplanted corals. This is the first empirical study to examine the role of high-density outplants of the endangered staghorn coral, Acropora cervicornis, in restoring positive carbonate accretion on Florida reefs. Successful transplantation of staghorn corals contributed to positive net carbonate production. Restored plots yielded a mean net carbonate production rate of 3.06 kg CaCO3 m− 2 yr− 1, whereas control plots exhibited net erosive states. Staghorn restoration plots sustained positive net carbonate production at a threshold of ~ 2.96% coral cover. However, bleaching, storms, and disease challenge these reefs, highlighting the need for restoration strategies that enhance resilience to environmental stressors. Establishing Acroporid aggregations through outplanting, alongside climate adaptation strategies, could foster reef habitat growth and enhance the recovery of ecosystem services. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5a95de12ce6f4310930c56d91c754b5a |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-5a95de12ce6f4310930c56d91c754b5a2024-11-17T12:19:37ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-11-011411810.1038/s41598-024-76799-8Enhancing reef carbonate budgets through coral restorationEmily Esplandiu0John Morris1Ian Enochs2Nicole Besemer3Diego Lirman4Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, University of MiamiAtlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, Ocean Chemistry and Ecosystem Division, NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, Ocean Chemistry and Ecosystem Division, NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, Ocean Chemistry and Ecosystem Division, NOAA Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, University of MiamiAbstract Complex reef structure, built via calcium carbonate production by stony corals and other calcifying taxa, supports key ecosystem services. However, the decline in coral cover on reefs of the Florida Reef Tract (US), caused by ocean warming, disease, and other stressors, has led to erosion exceeding accretion, causing net loss of reef framework. Active coral restoration, aimed at rapidly increasing coral cover, is essential for recovering reef structure and function. Traditionally, restoration success focused on the survivorship and growth of transplanted corals. This is the first empirical study to examine the role of high-density outplants of the endangered staghorn coral, Acropora cervicornis, in restoring positive carbonate accretion on Florida reefs. Successful transplantation of staghorn corals contributed to positive net carbonate production. Restored plots yielded a mean net carbonate production rate of 3.06 kg CaCO3 m− 2 yr− 1, whereas control plots exhibited net erosive states. Staghorn restoration plots sustained positive net carbonate production at a threshold of ~ 2.96% coral cover. However, bleaching, storms, and disease challenge these reefs, highlighting the need for restoration strategies that enhance resilience to environmental stressors. Establishing Acroporid aggregations through outplanting, alongside climate adaptation strategies, could foster reef habitat growth and enhance the recovery of ecosystem services.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-76799-8Coral restorationReef growth dynamicsCarbonate budgetsReef resilienceClimate change adaptationBioerosion |
| spellingShingle | Emily Esplandiu John Morris Ian Enochs Nicole Besemer Diego Lirman Enhancing reef carbonate budgets through coral restoration Scientific Reports Coral restoration Reef growth dynamics Carbonate budgets Reef resilience Climate change adaptation Bioerosion |
| title | Enhancing reef carbonate budgets through coral restoration |
| title_full | Enhancing reef carbonate budgets through coral restoration |
| title_fullStr | Enhancing reef carbonate budgets through coral restoration |
| title_full_unstemmed | Enhancing reef carbonate budgets through coral restoration |
| title_short | Enhancing reef carbonate budgets through coral restoration |
| title_sort | enhancing reef carbonate budgets through coral restoration |
| topic | Coral restoration Reef growth dynamics Carbonate budgets Reef resilience Climate change adaptation Bioerosion |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-76799-8 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT emilyesplandiu enhancingreefcarbonatebudgetsthroughcoralrestoration AT johnmorris enhancingreefcarbonatebudgetsthroughcoralrestoration AT ianenochs enhancingreefcarbonatebudgetsthroughcoralrestoration AT nicolebesemer enhancingreefcarbonatebudgetsthroughcoralrestoration AT diegolirman enhancingreefcarbonatebudgetsthroughcoralrestoration |