CORAL TRANSPLANTATION
Abstract
Coral reefs play a vital role in the marine ecosystem. It serves as home and protection of numerous forms of marine organisms especially fish. Coral reefs provide a vast array of some valuable services in terms of natural heritage, tourism, fishing and biodiversity.
The study was conducted in a region of the Hinatuan Bay, Surigao del Sur where the coral reefs are deteriorating. The project aims to increase the marine biodiversity in the area by improving the quality of environment for present and future generations through coral transplantation. Moreover, it aims to expand people’s knowledge and awareness on the social and environmental benefits of coral reefs, as well as various issues influencing coral survival.
The substrates that were used in the coral transplantation are PVC pipe frames and Hollow Blocks. The PVC pipes were assembled in such a way that it caters nine coral fragments while the spaces between the holes of the hollow blocks were utilized and filled with small-sized pipes to house the corals. An area which has sufficient healthy coral cover was chosen as the donor site. Coral fragments were cut from donor corals and were put in a plastic mesh container. The collected fragments were transported underwater from the donor site to the transplantation site.
The study covers only a time duration of two months. After two months of observation periods, it was found out the coral transplants in the two different substrates have a survival rate of 100%. Moreover, the mean total growth increment of the coral transplants in the Hollow-block and PVC-pipe substrates are 8.6 mm and 8.3 mm respectively.
The study was conducted in a region of the Hinatuan Bay, Surigao del Sur where the coral reefs are deteriorating. The project aims to increase the marine biodiversity in the area by improving the quality of environment for present and future generations through coral transplantation. Moreover, it aims to expand people’s knowledge and awareness on the social and environmental benefits of coral reefs, as well as various issues influencing coral survival.
The substrates that were used in the coral transplantation are PVC pipe frames and Hollow Blocks. The PVC pipes were assembled in such a way that it caters nine coral fragments while the spaces between the holes of the hollow blocks were utilized and filled with small-sized pipes to house the corals. An area which has sufficient healthy coral cover was chosen as the donor site. Coral fragments were cut from donor corals and were put in a plastic mesh container. The collected fragments were transported underwater from the donor site to the transplantation site.
The study covers only a time duration of two months. After two months of observation periods, it was found out the coral transplants in the two different substrates have a survival rate of 100%. Moreover, the mean total growth increment of the coral transplants in the Hollow-block and PVC-pipe substrates are 8.6 mm and 8.3 mm respectively.
