Assessment of wild and restored staghorn coral Acropora cervicornis across three reef zones in the Cayman Islands

Lohr, Kathryn E.; McNab, Aimee A. Cook; Manfrino, Carrie; Patterson, Joshua T.

doi:10.1016/j.rsma.2016.11.003

Cited by 15 publications

(9 citation statements)

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“…The lack of metabolomic adjustment in A. muricata in the present study could therefore suggest that this species also requires longer than 21 days to complete metabolic adjustments required for lowlight acclimation. A lengthier acclimation period following lowlight exposure could partially explain reports of initially high mortality following in situ transplantation of acroporid corals to lower light environments (Ross, 2014;Lohr et al, 2017). Consequently, careful consideration should also be given to selection of deeper sites during coral transplantation activities.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Rapidly altered light conditions are also induced via increasingly popular interventional reef management strategies involving coral transplantation (e.g. Bruckner and Bruckner, 2001;Ross, 2014;Lohr et al, 2017; see also Cohen and Dubinsky, 2015). Many species of coral are clearly capable of acclimating to a wide range of light regimes (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Resolving coral photoacclimation dynamics through coupled photophysiological and metabolomic profiling

Lohr

Camp

Kuzhiumparambil

et al. 2019

Journal of Experimental Biology

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Corals continuously adjust to short-term variation in light availability on shallow reefs. Long-term light alterations can also occur as a result of natural and anthropogenic stressors, as well as management interventions such as coral transplantation. Although short-term photophysiological responses are relatively well understood in corals, little information is available regarding photoacclimation dynamics over weeks of altered light availability. We coupled photophysiology and metabolomic profiling to explore changes that accompany longer-term photoacclimation in a key Great Barrier Reef coral species, Acropora muricata. High light (HL)-and low light (LL)acclimated corals were collected from the reef and reciprocally exposed to high and low light ex situ. Rapid light curves using pulseamplitude modulation (PAM) fluorometry revealed photophysiological acclimation of LL corals to HL and HL corals to LL within 21 days. A subset of colonies sampled at 7 and 21 days for untargeted LC-MS and GC-MS metabolomic profiling revealed metabolic reorganization before acclimation was detected using PAM fluorometry. Metabolomic shifts were more pronounced for LL to HL corals than for their HL to LL counterparts. Compounds driving metabolomic separation between HL-exposed and LL control colonies included amino acids, organic acids, fatty acids and sterols. Reduced glycerol and campesterol suggest decreased translocation of photosynthetic products from symbiont to host in LL to HL corals, with concurrent increases in fatty acid abundance indicating reliance on stored lipids for energy. We discuss how these data provide novel insight into environmental regulation of metabolism and implications for management strategies that drive rapid changes in light availability.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Resolving coral photoacclimation dynamics through coupled photophysiological and metabolomic profiling

Lohr

Camp

Kuzhiumparambil

et al. 2019

Journal of Experimental Biology

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“…The most widespread method of coral reef restoration involves the introduction and distribution of nursery‐reared or wild‐collected coral fragments in areas previously affected by human actions or adverse environmental conditions (Johnson et al ., 2011; McLeod et al ., 2019a; Precht, 2006). Coral fragments are either directly transplanted to the substrate (Forrester et al ., 2012; Ladd et al ., 2019; Lohr et al ., 2017) or may be attached to artificial structures which have proven successful in environments dominated by mobile substrata such as coral rubble (Clark & Edwards, 1999; Fadli et al ., 2012; Williams et al ., 2019). By outplanting corals, managers aim to enhance ecological processes and re‐create self‐sustaining naturally growing habitats due to the ability of corals to colonise and build complex structures (Edwards, 2010; Edwards & Gomez, 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interactions between coral restoration and fish assemblages: implications for reef management

Seraphim

Sloman

Alexander

et al. 2020

Journal of Fish Biology

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Corals create complex reef structures that provide both habitat and food for many fish species. Because of numerous natural and anthropogenic threats, many coral reefs are currently being degraded, endangering the fish assemblages they support. Coral reef restoration, an active ecological management tool, may help reverse some of the current trends in reef degradation through the transplantation of stony corals. Although restoration techniques have been extensively reviewed in relation to coral survival, our understanding of the effects of adding live coral cover and complexity on fishes is in its infancy with a lack of scientifically validated research. This study reviews the limited data on reef restoration and fish assemblages, and complements this with the more extensive understanding of complex interactions between natural reefs and fishes and how this might inform restoration efforts. It also discusses which key fish species or functional groups may promote, facilitate or inhibit restoration efforts and, in turn, how restoration efforts can be optimised to enhance coral fish assemblages. By highlighting critical knowledge gaps in relation to fishes and restoration interactions, the study aims to stimulate research into the role of reef fishes in restoration projects. A greater understanding of the functional roles of reef fishes would also help inform whether restoration projects can return fish assemblages to their natural compositions or whether alternative species compositions develop, and over what timeframe. Although alleviation of local and global reef stressors remains a priority, reef restoration is an important tool; an increased understanding of the interactions between replanted corals and the fishes they support is critical for ensuring its success for people and nature.

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“…While coral outplanting is considered a viable strategy to help meet the restoration criteria outlined in the NRP, coral propagation and outplanting are still a relatively new idea [66]. Though the practice is expanding rapidly and is now widely adopted by managers and restoration practitioners [67], few projects have been running long enough to assess their long-term potential to restore coral populations [48,[68][69][70][71]. An objective of the work reported here, based on results from longer-term A. cervicornis outplanting projects, is to determine the best approach to address and eventually overcome population declines.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Survivorship and growth in staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) outplanting projects in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

Ware

Garfield

Nedimyer³

et al. 2020

PLoS ONE

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Significant population declines in Acropora cervicornis and A. palmata began in the 1970s and now exceed over 90%. The losses were caused by a combination of coral disease and bleaching, with possible contributions from other stressors, including pollution and predation. Reproduction in the wild by fragment regeneration and sexual recruitment is inadequate to offset population declines. Starting in 2007, the Coral Restoration Foundation™ evaluated the feasibility of outplanting A. cervicornis colonies to reefs in the Florida Keys to restore populations at sites where the species was previously abundant. Reported here are the results of 20 coral outplanting projects with each project defined as a cohort of colonies outplanted at the same time and location. Photogrammetric analysis and in situ monitoring (2007 to 2015) measured survivorship, growth, and condition of 2419 colonies. Survivorship was initially high but generally decreased after two years. Survivorship among projects based on colony counts ranged from 4% to 89% for seven cohorts monitored at least five years. Weibull survival models were used to estimate survivorship beyond the duration of the projects and ranged from approximately 0% to over 35% after five years and 0% to 10% after seven years. Growth rate averaged 10 cm/year during the first two years then plateaued in subsequent years. After four years, approximately one-third of surviving colonies were � 50 cm in maximum diameter. Projects used three to sixteen different genotypes and significant differences did not occur in survivorship, condition, or growth. Restoration times for three reefs were calculated based on NOAA Recovery Plan (NRP) metrics (colony abundance and size) and the findings from projects reported here. Results support NRP conclusions that reducing stressors is required before significant population growth and recovery will occur. Until then, outplanting protects against local extinction and helps to maintain genetic diversity in the wild.

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Assessment of wild and restored staghorn coral Acropora cervicornis across three reef zones in the Cayman Islands

Abstract: 2016-11-16T20:15:18

Cited by 15 publications

References 53 publications

Resolving coral photoacclimation dynamics through coupled photophysiological and metabolomic profiling

Resolving coral photoacclimation dynamics through coupled photophysiological and metabolomic profiling

Interactions between coral restoration and fish assemblages: implications for reef management

Survivorship and growth in staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) outplanting projects in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

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