Implementation of Reef Ball artificial structures off south-central Vietnam for coral reef restoration: First achievements
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Abstract
Among methods of coral reef rehabilitation worldwide, the Reef BallTM (RB) technology based on artificial concrete modules mimicking natural reef structures is well-known and has been used for three decades in more than 55 countries. These modules serve as habitat promoting an increase in fish diversity, as well as appropriate hard substrate for natural coral recruitment and artificial coral transplantation efforts. The project on implementation of RB method in south-central Vietnam was launched in 2023 using two sets of RB modules in two different coastal marine areas: protected one (MPA) and recreational one (RA). The present study aimed to estimate the efficiency of these structures in promoting coral recruitment and enhancing fish diversity and abundance. The 1-year exposition of RB modules revealed similar coral recruitment patterns between MPA and RA with the dominance of Porites and Pocillopora. The density of coral recruits was (9.5 ± 2.2) and (8 ± 2.1) recruits·module−1 in MPA and RA, respectively. In MPA, fish diversity reached 18 species, and abundance was (131 ± 6) fish·100 m−2, whereas RA exhibited the values of 10 species and (110 ± 7) fish·100 m−2. The longer, 3-year exposition of RB modules in MPA revealed 4-fold rise in density of recruits, up to (42.5 ± 6) recruits·module−1, and overwhelming dominance of Porites in recruitment pool. During this period, fish abundance exhibited 2-fold increase, whereas fish diversity rose to 33 species. This study showed that RB modules can be effectively used for reef ecosystem rehabilitation in coastal areas with various exploitation statuses; however, protection from anthropogenic load may significantly enhance the outcome of this technology in marine environments.
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References
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