Success of restoration strategies in preventing extirpation of 2 critically endangered coral species
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: An unprecedented marine heatwave in 2023 caused widespread coral bleaching and mortality throughout the Caribbean. In the Florida Keys (USA), 2 foundation species, elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) and staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis), were severely affected. These species have been the primary focus of reef restoration in Florida for decades. Substantial losses of these species occurred in outplanted populations, in ocean-based nurseries, and among remnant wild colonies, leading to uncertainty over their future in the Florida Keys, given recent observed trends in climate conditions. However, the past 2 decades of restoration activity created a community of experts, a network of ocean-based and land-based coral-rearing infrastructure, and 2 independent land-based coral gene banks that prevented regional extirpation and preserved much of the genetic richness of these critically endangered coral species. Without the past decades of effort and the emergency response associated with the 2023 bleaching event, Florida acroporids would largely have been lost. This outcome afforded by the restoration network in Florida demonstrates the value of proactively establishing resources prior to major disturbances. We identified several critical strategies that, in the context of existing climate change, are preventing the extirpation of coral species in Florida, including extending collaborative restoration efforts to solidify a network of trained experts; establishing trust-focused relationships among management agencies and restoration groups; testing direct interventions to reduce light and temperature stress early during thermal anomalies; developing redundant ocean-based and land-based nurseries; and establishing living coral gene banks prior to major threats to prevent the extirpation of coral species.
Source: Conservation Biology
DOI: 10.1111/cobi.70168
Authors: Erinn M. Muller, Mark C. Ladd, Richard Karp, Phanor H. Montoya‐Maya, Ilsa B. Kuffner, Andrew C. Baker, Erich Bartels, Amanda Bourque, Abigail S. Clark, Nikkie Cox, Martine D'Alessandro, Ben Daughtry, Beth Firchau, Leneita Fix, David Gilliam, Dalton Hesley, Cindy Lewis, Diego Lirman, Caitlin Lustic, Kevin Macauley, Jennifer Moore, Ken Nedimyer, Keri O'Neil, Kristene T. Parsons, Kylie M. Smith, Jason Spadaro, Bailey C. Thomasson, Joseph D. Unsworth, David Vaughan, Margaret W. Miller
Institutions: Mote Marine Laboratory, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service Southeast Fisheries Science Center, University of Miami, Coral Restoration Foundation, United States Geological Survey, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Biscayne National Park, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Nova Southeastern University, The Nature Conservancy, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Florida Aquarium, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Key Organics (United Kingdom)
Language: English
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,400
Award: G3506155195
OpenAlex ID: W4416536773