Caribbean Acropora Restoration Guide - The Florida Reef ...

Box 7: Example Outplanting Site
Each color in Array 2 represents a different genotype. Each row has a representative from each
genotype (n=10). Appropriate spacing of genotypes allows for maximum potential for cross
fertilization. Each site will have three arrays, with at least 10 genotypes per array and at least five
replicate fragments of each genet per array, where possible.
Array 1 Array 2 Array 3
1m
1m
1m
2m
2m
2m
20m
20m
Methodology
• Transport: Widely varied methods have been tested and used
for transporting corals, and the selection of one particular
method should depend on the conditions at each unique
nursery site (for methods, see Coral Collections section).
See Figure 7.
Photo: Liz Larson, Nova
• Coral Attachment: Corals can be attached directly to the reef
or using attachment platforms like masonry nails or cement
pucks. Outplanted corals can be wedged into holes or crevices
or secured using epoxy, cement, wire or plastic ties (for
examples see Figures 1 and 2 from Case Study 1).
• Tracking: There should be a unique identifier for each
coral being outplanted (for methods, see Nursery
Operations section).
Figure 7: Corals transported in
plastic bin to an outplant site
• Monitoring and Maintenance: Ideally, all outplants should be monitored after the first month and
quarterly thereafter for 18 months. The monitoring should include a visual census of survivorship,
with notes on condition, including bleaching, disease, predation and breakage. Suggested maintenance
includes the removal of snails and fireworms from outplants and reattaching broken fragments at the
outplant sites. The level of maintenance will depend on environmental factors, funding and goals of
each project.
25