Abstract Summary
The coral reefs of Florida and the Caribbean have seen upwards of 95% decline in hard coral cover over the last several decades. This decline has been attributed to multiple, compounding, anthropogenic factors including but not limited to climate change, water pollution, and overfishing. This unprecedented decline has created a need for active intervention. The Coral Restoration Foundation has been working to develop and implement best practices for coral restoration efforts. Within the greater Caribbean and Florida, restoration organizations have focused on restoring the two dominant reef-building species: Acropora cervicornis and A. palmata. As such, the asexual fragmentation and nursery propagation of both species, for subsequent restoration outplanting, has been well examined. This cannot be said for other Caribbean coral species, especially regarding slower growing massive boulder corals. As stressors continue to impact coral reefs, boulder coral species are becoming even more at risk, and will require similar efforts to protect and restore. In 2014 the three Caribbean Orbicella sp. (annularis, faveolata, and franksi) have been classified as threatened on the ESA and on the IUCN redlist, highlighting the need for conservation actions. In an effort to broaden and expand its ecological impact and species diversity, CRF has begun to develop in-situ fragmentation and growth techniques for O. annularis and O. faveolata. Utilizing existing nursery infrastructure and available restoration materials we have developed an effective and low-cost methodology for the asexually propagation of these two species in the field; that can be extrapolated to any nursery setting or any boulder coral species. Following initial collection and fragmentation of wild genotypes, all work is done on site in the nursery, thus eliminating the possibility of transport stress/shock and allowing for efficient use of time and resources. CRF plans to incorporate these nursery-grown corals into future outplanting efforts.
