Transplantation of coral fragments from ship groundings on electrochemically formed reef structures

Autor: Schuhmacher, Helmut, van Treeck, Peter, Eisinger, Michael, Paster, Markus
Rok vydání: 2002
Předmět:
Popis: Various scleractinians and hydrocorals were investigated with regard to their suitability for transplantation by a novel transplantation technology. Coral fragments produced by ship groundings and other mechanical damages were collected and transplanted onto a steel mesh matrix coated with mineral crusts induced by electrolysis (ERCON technology). Mortality and growth rates were assessed: more than 90% of the fragments survived the first six months. Within this phase all acroporids and Millepora dichotoma developed a strong holdfast at their bases by actively overgrowing the coated grid. Some trials severely suffered from predation by the corallivorous snail Drupella cornus and from a heavy algae bloom in spring 2000. Additionally, different designs of the mesh matrix were tested and bigger reef structures assembled from small modules. Special complex structures could serve as stepping stones thus supporting spontaneous recolonization of degraded areas by stony corals and other benthic biota.
Databáze: OpenAIRE