Genotype, Nursery Design, and Depth Influence the Growth of Acropora cervicornis Fragments

Growing fragments of corals in nurseries and outplanting them to supplement declining natural populations have gained significant traction worldwide. In the Caribbean, for example, this approach provides colonies Acropora cervicornis with minimal impacts existing wild colonies. Given impetus scale up production augment limited recovery, managers researchers should consider how design location affect growth different genotypes effort required maintenance. To elucidate such influences, we grew (five varieties) on differing structures (trees frames) at two depths (6–8 16–18 m). The sum lengths all branches or total linear extensions (TLEs) accumulation biofouling were measured over 198 days from May December 2016 assess maintain nurseries. TLEs increased linearly throughout incubation period. Mean daily incremental rates varied among genotypes, one genotype growing significantly faster than others, intermediate rates, more slowly. higher suspended vertical frames both sites, mean held types deeper water. If continued, a fragment fastest frame water was estimated increase length its by an average 88 cm y –1 , which times annual rate slowest tree shallow Nurseries had less appeared be buffered against fluctuations temperature. Overall, results demonstrated that reduced maintenance can result considering cultured