Types of coral restoration

In the time since Darwin, techniques for coral restoration have advanced, but the basic principle is still the same; secure broken corals so they will survive. This can be done due to the fact that corals reproduce primarily through asexual means, and any individual polyp in the colony has the potential to create a new colony in the right conditions. For some corals, such as branching or bushy colonies, asexual reproduction through budding or breakage is a major mechanisms in which they spread out, and is referred to as propagation. Today, we use stronger and more long-lasting materials than Darwin’s bamboo poles to secure the corals onto (concrete, steel, ceramics, limestone, etc.), or simply replant them securely to natural reef areas. Corals can be secured to a solid structure using a wide variety of straps, glues, wedges and other techniques. If a coral has been secured in an area where the physical conditions are conducive for that coral colony’s growth, then it will thrive as long as it is secure in place.



If you have ever been involved in securing coral fragments, or ‘coral gardening,’ then you know that it is not quite so simple as just attaching the coral; the conditions must be conducive for growth. Generally, this means that you maintain the same light levels (depth), and transplant the corals to an area where threats such as sedimentation, pollution, anchor damage, etc are low or absent. Depending on the size of the project, achieving high levels of success and minimizing mortality or unexpected consequences or disasters (risk mitigation), can be quite difficult.



In restoring coral reef through asexual propagation and the securement of coral fragments as discussed above, there are three primary or foundational objectives that are either addressed individually or in unison; (1) Increase solid structures available for coral growth, (2) increase coral coverage (3) alter growing conditions. These objectives can also be referred to structural, biological, and physical conditions (respectively).

Structural restoration

construction of artificial reefs, sinking of wrecks, or relocation of rocks/dead coral heads. The goal is to increase the amount of reef structure and habitat available for the corals and other reef organisms to grow on. Structural restoration is required in areas were the reef has been lost due to disturbances such as blast fishing, boat grounding, dredging, landslides, etc. In areas which have been reduced to rubble or sand, corals will not have solid structure to attach to and will end up being abraded or buried during high waves. Ecosystem succession in these marginalized areas can take decades to recover, and many never do so on their own.



Structural restoration generally involves the, sinking of wrecks, or relocation of rocks/dead coral heads. The goal is to increase the amount of reef structure and habitat available for the corals and other reef organisms to grow on. Structural restoration is required in areas were the reef has been lost due to disturbances such as blast fishing, boat grounding, dredging, landslides, etc. In areas which have been reduced to rubble or sand, corals will not have solid structure to attach to and will end up being abraded or buried during high waves. Ecosystem succession in these marginalized areas can take decades to recover, and many never do so on their own. Natural means by which reef structure could return in areas with physical reef damage includes the settlement and long-term growth of corals from the Fungidae family which are better adapted to survive without being attached to the substrate. Eventually these fungidae corals grow large, and die. Other corals can then settle on the large, and relatively stable, dead skeletons successfully. Larvae from the Porites genus seem to be particularly successful in recruiting to marginalized areas, as they tend to be more resilient towards physical abuse by wave action. Giant clams, rock oysters, coralline algae, and even marine debris can sometimes assist in this process. By adding artificial structures in these areas where the physical and biological conditions for coral growth are still good, and the natural levels of coral recruitment are high, the reef can quickly and effectively be restored. In areas that are recruitment limited or greatly marginalized, artificial structures will need to be ‘seeded’ with coral transplants to facilitate and speed development.



In addition to restoring damaged reefs, this technique can also be used to extend the reef boundaries, create new reefs in sand flats, improve fisheries, or create alternative dive sites to mitigate the negative impacts of diving tourism. In areas where there is already an abundance of reef structure, as in reefs impacted by coral bleaching or disease, then structural restoration is not necessary, and may be a waste of resources and time that are usually limited to reef managers.

Biological Restoration

Ideally, biological restoration should focus on increasing the success of coral reproduction to create new individual colonies on the reef.



culturing coral larvae, or transplanting living coral colonies. The general goal of biological restoration is to regrow corals in areas where populations have been diminished or lost. This is most generally required in areas which have been impacted by bleaching, disease, predation (COTs and Drupella snails), algae overgrowth, sedimentation, etc. Following these types of mass mortality events, small coral colonies can be used to ‘seed’ the reef that will eventually grow large enough to become sexually reproductive and return the balance on the reef. Biological restoration may also include integrating fish, giant clam, or other nurseries and aggregation devices to restore reef balance and return vital symbiosis necessary for reef health.



Biological restoration usually involves increasing the amount of living corals on the reef in areas were structure is already available. This is generally achieved through methods such as collecting and rehabilitating naturally broken coral fragments, propagating coral colonies,, or transplanting living coral colonies. The general goal of biological restoration is to regrow corals in areas where populations have been diminished or lost. This is most generally required in areas which have been impacted by bleaching, disease, predation (and), algae overgrowth, sedimentation, etc. Following these types of mass mortality events, small coral colonies can be used to ‘seed’ the reef that will eventually grow large enough to become sexually reproductive and return the balance on the reef. Biological restoration may also include integrating fish, giant clam, or other nurseries and aggregation devices to restore reef balance and return vital symbiosis necessary for reef health. Without human intervention, the coral reef would naturally recover from mass morality events through both asexual and sexual means. Single corals such as branching colonies can propagate and create stands of healthy, but mono-specific (all the same DNA) stands of reef. Primarily though, the area will require that coral larvae successfully recruit to the area from connected reefs and are able to grow genetically unique colonies which are each suited to withstand different types of disturbances in the future. In areas where the reproductively viable coral population has been destroyed, connectivity to other reefs is low, or larvae are unable to settle successfully (due to grazing, turf cover, etc.) than the reef may never recover on its own, and biological restoration is necessary.



artificial reefs, transplant corals to areas where threats are reduced, create ‘coral banks’ for risk mitigation, or take proactive measures to increase coral reef resilience. To be successful, the restoration areas must still have ample light, temperature, and water quality to be conducive for coral growth. In areas where the threats to the corals are still present, or the ecosystem has completely collapsed, biological restoration may not be effective and could even have negative consequences for surrounding reefs. In these areas restoration techniques that address the physical conditions must be employed. Biological restoration can also be used to assist in the development of, transplant corals to areas where threats are reduced, create ‘coral banks’ for risk mitigation, or take proactive measures to increase coral reef resilience. To be successful, the restoration areas must still have ample light, temperature, and water quality to be conducive for coral growth. In areas where the threats to the corals are still present, or the ecosystem has completely collapsed, biological restoration may not be effective and could even have negative consequences for surrounding reefs. In these areas restoration techniques that address the physical conditions must be employed.

Physical Restoration