Scientists from the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and James Cook University (JCU) have developed special cradles with protrusions for young corals aimed at protecting them from being eaten by fish, including parrotfish that graze on the surface of coral reefs. As part of the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program (RRAP), these innovative devices were designed to reduce the risk of young corals being consumed, a common problem on coral reefs.
The cradles were tested under various conditions on the Great Barrier Reef. The scientists conducted regular checks of these devices after two days, three months, and eight months from their installation, monitoring grazing signs and coral survival. The studies also included an analysis of the biological and environmental conditions of the reef to understand the impact of different cradle designs on young corals.
The orientation of the cradles, where corals preferentially settled on vertical surfaces, was crucial. This vertical orientation helped protect the corals from harmful environmental conditions such as strong light and strong water currents, as well as from grazing fish. The results indicate that corals placed in vertical orientations survived better, suggesting a potential advantage of this method in natural reef conditions.
In addition to protection from predators, the cradles were designed to balance the needs of grazing fish on the reefs and competing algae growing on the devices. Proper design of the cradles aims to allow fish access to food while simultaneously protecting the young corals. The scientists noted that areas rich in food for the fish, such as algae, distracted the parrotfish from the young corals, increasing their chances of survival.
This project shows that effective solutions like special cradles for young corals are possible and can significantly contribute to the protection and regeneration of coral reefs. These studies represent an important step towards developing tools that can be applied on a larger scale to counteract the negative effects of climate change on coral reefs worldwide.
Thanks to initiatives like those conducted by AIMS and JCU, there is hope for improving the survival of corals in their first year of life, when they are most vulnerable to various environmental threats, which could have a crucial impact on the future of coral reefs.
About the author
Grzegorz Bubak
My fascination with marine aquariums began over two decades ago when I stumbled upon an article about this topic in a magazine. Since then, the underwater world has become my obsession and passion, shaping my everyday life. I started my adventure with marine aquariums with soft corals, which were my first step into this fascinating world. Over time, captivated by the diversity and beauty of SPS corals, I decided to focus on their cultivation, which continues to fill me with constant wonder.
Thanks to my experience and passion for marine aquariums, I am ready to share my knowledge and expertise with other enthusiasts in this field. I am happy to be part of the Reef Pedia community, which serves as an invaluable source of information for all marine aquarium lovers.