7 research outputs found
DataSheet_1_Spatial variation in spawning timing for multi-species Acropora assemblages in the Red Sea.pdf
Sexual reproduction is a crucial process for reef building coral populations to maximize genetic diversity and recover from large scale disturbances. Mass spawning events by Acropora species represent critical opportunities for populations to persist, and a process that is increasingly exploited to actively restore degraded reefs. However, the timing and predictive capacity of coral spawning throughout the broad thermal and environmental regime of the Red Sea – a region also undergoing significant development and active reef restoration – remains patchy. We, therefore, conducted three parallel reef surveys in the central Red Sea (Al-Fahal Reef, Thuwal - Saudi Arabia) and the eastern (Shushah Island - Saudi Arabia) and western (Hurghada – Egypt) coast of the northern Red Sea. Surveys assessed the gravidity of gonads, spawning timing, alignment with the lunar cycle of 21 Acropora spp. (total n= 572 colonies) around the full moons of April and May 2023. Consistent with past observations, synchronous spawning was observed for Acropora spp. in both the central and northern Red Sea during April and May, respectively. Interestingly, corals spawned on the full moon in both Shushah and Thuwal sites. In contrast, corals in Hurghada were independent of the lunar cycle and spawned 7-9 nights before the full moon in May. By integrating our 2023 observations with the historical spawning events in Hurghada and Thuwal (2002-2022), we found that the deviation of spawning timing from the full moon day was correlated with absolute Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (earlier spawning before the full moon day, lower SST) and warming rate (earlier spawning, more rapid warming) in 6-weeks prior to spawning. As such, temperature pattern is likely one of the primary factors governing gamete release, among other factors, that likely influence spawning day within the lunar month. These correlations between SST metrics and spawning timing suggest a potential framework to predict future Acropora spp. spawning dates. Our observations demonstrate the importance of parallel efforts across borders to collect critical data needed to inform management strategies aimed at conserving and restoring coral reefs in this ecologically diverse region.</p
The locations of recent restoration projects on the Great Barrier Reef.
1) Mackay Reef; 2) Agincourt Reef 3; 3) Opal Reef; 4) Low Isles; 5) Hastings Reef; 6) Vlasoff Cay; 7) Upolu Reef; 8) Green Island; 9) Moore Reef (2 projects); 10) Fitzroy Island; 11) Magnetic Island; 12) Blue Pearl Bay; 13); Manta Ray Bay (2 projects); 14) Keppel Islands 15) offshore Heron Island; 16) Heron Island; 17) One Tree Island.</p
The core of the RRAP Program is founded on seven intervention research and development subprograms, including: (1) cooling and shading, (2) rubble stabilisation, (3) moving corals (larval-based restoration), (4) enhanced corals and treatments, (5) early phase intervention assessments, (6) cryopreservation, and (7) coral aquaculture and deployment.
These are supported by crosscutting R&D subprograms, engagement and regulatory frameworks, decision support, modelling, and ecological intelligence and integrated logistics and automation.</p
The coral gardening process involves the collection of coral fragments, fragmentation, a nursery phase on land or in water, and an (out)planting phase.
The coral gardening process involves the collection of coral fragments, fragmentation, a nursery phase on land or in water, and an (out)planting phase.</p
RRAP strategy to progressively deliver interventions and refine the focus of the R&D program as research findings improve knowledge of feasibility, risks, efficacy, social acceptance and regulatory compliance.
RRAP strategy to progressively deliver interventions and refine the focus of the R&D program as research findings improve knowledge of feasibility, risks, efficacy, social acceptance and regulatory compliance.</p
Coral restoration projects and methods currently underway in Australia: a) the CoralClip®, b) assisted evolution research, c) coral repositioning, d) larval-based restoration, e) substrate stabilisation, f) coral gardening, g) ‘supersucker’ for macroalgae removal, h) industrial larval capture, i) coral seeding units.
Image credits: J. Edmondson, M. Roman/AIMS, I. McLeod, R. Miller, M. Hein, D. Suggett, N. Mattocks, C. Doropoulos, Cathie Page.</p