Coral Reef Restoration Project

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Coral Reef Restoration Project"

Angelica Hicks
5 years ago
Views:

1 MMS-CRS Coral Reef Restoration Project Thamasak Yeemin Ramkhamhaeng University, Thailand Threats sedimentation from infrastructure development impacts from expansion of tourism business unskilled divers illegal fishing 1

2 Threats Storm and Tsunami Coral predators Coral Diseases Coral bleaching Sexual Reproduction 2

3 Coral Recruitment on Natural Substrate Settlement Plate Experiment 3

4 Fragmentation 4

5 Source: Edwards and Gomez, 2006 Source: Edwards and Gomez,

6 Cost effectiveness analysis for restoration to accelerate natural recovery Source: Precht, 2006 Cost of Coral Transplantation Source: Edwards and Gomez,

Chamber types for coral larvae culture in the field Source: Miller and

Ecological restoration is the process of assisting the recovery of an

? Coral reef restoration is in its infancy.

? Although restoration can enhance conservation efforts, restoration is

7 Chamber types for coral larvae culture in the field Source: Miller and Szmant, 2006 Key Concepts? Ecological restoration is the process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged, or destroyed.? Coral reef restoration is in its infancy. We cannot create fully functional reefs.? Although restoration can enhance conservation efforts, restoration is always a poor second to the preservation of original habitats.? Coral reefs that are relatively unstressed by anthropogenic impacts can often recover naturally from disturbances without human intervention. Source: Edwards and Gomez,

Key Concepts? Active coral reef restoration has been carried out with some success at scales of up to a few hectares only.

? Active restoration is not a magic bullet. Improved management of reef areas is the key. Source: Edwards and Gomez, 2006 Key Concepts?

However, ignoring the latter means a high risk of failure.

8 Key Concepts? Active coral reef restoration has been carried out with some success at scales of up to a few hectares only.? Restoration includes passive or indirect management measures to remove impediments to natural recovery, as well as active or direct interventions such as transplantation.? Active restoration is not a magic bullet. Improved management of reef areas is the key. Source: Edwards and Gomez, 2006 Key Concepts? The aims of reef restoration are likely to be dictated by economic, legal, social and political constraints as well as ecological realities. However, ignoring the latter means a high risk of failure.? Targets or measurable indicators should be set that allow both the progress towards restoration goals to be assessed over time and adaptive management of the restoration project.? Monitoring of progress towards targets should be undertaken at regular intervals over several years.? Successes, failures and lessons learnt should be widely disseminated so that others can benefit from your experiences. Source: Edwards and Gomez,

Lack of hard substrate is not a critical issue. Management of degradation of natural reefs is the critical issue.

9 Key Concepts? Major physical restoration of reefs is for experts only. Seek expert civil engineering advice.? Some physical restoration may be a prerequisite for any chance of successful biological restoration.? There are at least 300,000 km 2 of coral reefs in the world. Lack of hard substrate is not a critical issue. Management of degradation of natural reefs is the critical issue.? Use of artificial reefs in restoration needs to be considered carefully and critically in terms of need, ecological impact, cost-effectiveness and aesthetics. Source: Edwards and Gomez, 2006 Key Concepts? Consider restoration not as a one-off event but as an ongoing process over a time-scale of years which is likely to need adaptive management.? Major physical restoration of reefs costs in the order of US$100,000-1,000,000 s per hectare.? Low-cost transplantation appears to cost about US$ 2,000 13,000 per hectare. With more ambitious goals this rises to about US$ 40,000 per hectare.? For comparison, a global ball-park estimate of the average total annual value of coral reef goods and services is US$ 6,075 per hectare. Source: Edwards and Gomez,

10 Lessons Learned from Coral Transplantation Techniques in Krabi Province, the Andaman Sea Thamasak Yeemin and Rattika Petthongma Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ramkhamhaeng University, Huamark, Bangkok 10240, THAILAND Study Sites 10

11 Fragmentation Density of Coral Fragments??????????? Fragments/m (??????????????? 2 /??.?.) ??????? Koh Phai??????????? Koh Phi Phi (???????) Don Jan.?????? Apr.?????? Jan.?????? Feb.??????????

12 Partial Mortality of Coral Fragments 0-25 % % % % Reattachment of Coral Fragments on Artificial Substrate Koh Phai, THAILAND Using coral fragments from reefs Providing substrate for coral settlement A demonstration site for ecotourism Survival Rate = 78% 12

13 Change of Reattached Coral Fragments on Cement Blocks January 2004 April 2004 Growth of Reattached Coral Fragments Acropora aspera Acropora nobilis Growth rates = mm/yr. Acropo ra formos 13

14 Impacts of the Tsunami on Corals Turning over of coral colonies Impacts of the Tsunami on Corals Smothering of coral surfaces or sand completely burying corals caused by sand-sliding along the reef slope or heavy erosion of shallow sandy seabeds. 14

15 Impacts of the Tsunami on Corals Breaking of branches or portions of coral colonies caused by the waves or heavy drifting objects or debris washed off the land (DCMR, 2005) 15

34 0 Koh Phai Ao Ling Ao Lohsama Reattachment of Coral Fragments on Natural

16 Density of Coral Fragments at Phi Phi Islands Densities (fragments/m 2 ) 5 Before tsunami After tsunami Koh Phai Ao Ling Ao Lohsama Reattachment of Coral Fragments on Natural Substrates Processes of branching Processes of branching coral restoration coral restoration 16

3 % Survival of Reattached Coral Fragments 100 Survival rate (%) 90 80

17 Reattachment of Coral Fragments on Natural Substrates After the Tsunami Survival Rates after 3 months 94.6 % after 1 year 64.3 % Survival of Reattached Coral Fragments 100 Survival rate (%) % 26-50% 51-75% >76% Partial mortality of coral fragment 17

18 Reattachment of Coral Fragments on Natural Substrates 100 No. of coral fragments (%) Live tissue increase 6 No change 23 Live tissue decrease 5 Lost all live tissue Change of live tissue after reattachment Growth Rates of Reattached Fragments Growth??????????????????? rate (mm./yr.) (??./?) Small fragments???????? (< 10 cm.)???????? Large fragments (> 10 cm.) Acropora formosa Acropora nobilis Acropora aspera??????????? 18

Restoration at Mu Koh Chang,Thailand Thamasak Yeemin, Mickmin Charuchinda, Ronawan

19 Coral Reef Restoration Project Participation and support of volunteer divers Raising public awareness on coral reef conservation A CASE STUDY A Demonstration Site for Coral Reef Restoration at Mu Koh Chang,Thailand Thamasak Yeemin, Mickmin Charuchinda, Ronawan Boonprakob, Nisit Ruengsawang, Prasan Sangpaiboon, Udomporn Motega, Nipat Somkleeb,Se Songploy,Jamrearn Buaruang 19

Mu Koh Chang located in Trat Province, the eastern part of the Gulf of Thailand comprises of 60 islands, approximately 16 km 2 of coral reef area declared as a national park in 1982 established as a

20 Mu Koh Chang located in Trat Province, the eastern part of the Gulf of Thailand comprises of 60 islands, approximately 16 km 2 of coral reef area declared as a national park in 1982 established as a special administrative zone for sustainable tourism development since 2002 selected as one of the demonstration sites for coral reef subcomponent under The UNEP/GEF Project on Reversing Environmental Degradation Trends in the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand 20

21 Causal Chain Analysis 21

22 Six components of activities are required to solve the problems:- Public awareness and education Networking among agencies Sustainable tourism development Capacity building Sustainable livelihoods Improvement of site management to support coral reef rehabilitation The demonstration site for coral reef restoration at Mu Koh Chang Coordination among government and private agencies:- -Department of Marine and Coastal Resources -Mu KohChang National Park -Rambhai Barni Rajabhat University -Ramkhamhaeng University -Bangkok Technical Campus, Rajamankala Institute Technology -Association of Marine Biodiversity Conservation and Education -Kon Rak Bangbao Conservation Group -Marine Science Activities and Conservation Foundation -Koh Wai Pakarang Resort 22

23 Key ideas: - Limited demonstration areas where they can be easily controlled and managed for the benefit of ecotourism, education, raising public awareness, ecosystem restoration and research - Natural coral fragments were used in order to increase the survival of natural coral fragments that might otherwise have had low survival because they were susceptible to being buried. - Techniques and methods used in this project were kept simple, use cheap materials available in local areas and providing hard substrate for coral recruitment. Four methods showed at the demonstration site: i) additional substrate for coral recruitment by using clusters of cylindrical concretes lay in triangle model; ii) iii) attaching branching Acropora spp. with screws to designed PVC pipe frames in the coral nursery area; additional substrate for coral recruitment and attaching coral fragments by using clusters of concrete blocks fused in horizontal and vertical directions; and iv) attaching branching fragments to dead branching corals by means of plastic straps 23

additional substrate for coral recruitment by using clusters

congrete: diameter = 10 cm. length = 50 cm.

of cylindrical concretes lay in triangle model Cost for one

24 additional substrate for coral recruitment by using clusters of cylindrical concretes lay in triangle model - Cylindical congrete: diameter = 10 cm. length = 50 cm. -Triangle model: width = 57 cm. length = 50 cm. height = 50 cm. additional substrate for coral recruitment by using clusters of cylindrical concretes lay in triangle model Cost for one triangle model ~ 37 US$ 24

strong wave and tourists from coral reefs Acropora formosa, A. nobilis, A.

in length -put coral fragments in the nursery area, made of PVC pipes (one inch in diameter) to form a

25 attaching branching Acropora spp. with screws to designed PVC pipe frames in the coral nursery area -collect coral fragments caused by strong wave and tourists from coral reefs Acropora formosa, A. nobilis, A. aspera -cut the coral fragments into 8-10 cm. in length -put coral fragments in the nursery area, made of PVC pipes (one inch in diameter) to form a square (60x120 cm.) attaching branching Acropora spp. with screws to designed PVC pipe frames in the coral nursery area -The coral fragments were fixed to PVC pipes with screws coral fragments per square -The nursery area is on sandy bottom at the deep coral reef area. 25

26 attaching branching Acropora spp. with screws to designed PVC pipe frames in the coral nursery area - Cost: 14 US$ per one square of PVC pipe or 1 US$ per one coral fragment attaching branching Acropora spp. with screws to designed PVC pipe frames in the coral nursery area Coral Fragment Growth 26

Coral fragment growth: 2 months Coral fragment growth: 5 months

27 attaching branching Acropora spp. with screws to designed PVC pipe frames in the coral nursery area Coral fragment growth: 2 months attaching branching Acropora spp. with screws to designed PVC pipe frames in the coral nursery area Coral fragment growth: 5 months 27

Coral fragment growth: 10 months Coral fragment growth: 14

28 attaching branching Acropora spp. with screws to designed PVC pipe frames in the coral nursery area Coral fragment growth: 10 months attaching branching Acropora spp. with screws to designed PVC pipe frames in the coral nursery area Coral fragment growth: 14 months 28

nursery area was also used for education and raising public awareness.

using clusters of concrete blocks fused in horizontal and vertical directions

29 attaching branching Acropora spp. with screws to designed PVC pipe frames in the coral nursery area - The nursery area was also used for education and raising public awareness. additional substrate for coral recruitment and attaching coral fragments by using clusters of concrete blocks fused in horizontal and vertical directions -concrete block size: 18x38x6.5 cm. -one cluster consists of 12 concrete blocks= : 72 x 85 cm. 8 horizontal blocks, 4 vertical blocks 29

additional substrate for coral recruitment and attaching coral

horizontal and vertical directions - Branching coral fragments

directions -Some massive and foliaceous coral fragments were

Porites lutea, Astreopora myriophthalma, Favites abdita, Favia

30 additional substrate for coral recruitment and attaching coral fragments by using clusters of concrete blocks fused in horizontal and vertical directions - Branching coral fragments were fixed on vertical concrete blocks by plastic straps Acropora formosa, A. nobilis, Pocillopora damicornis additional substrate for coral recruitment and attaching coral fragments by using clusters of concrete blocks fused in horizontal and vertical directions -Some massive and foliaceous coral fragments were fixed on horizontal concrete blocks by underwater cement. Porites lutea, Astreopora myriophthalma, Favites abdita, Favia speciosa, Pavona decussata 30

concrete blocks fused in horizontal and vertical

31 additional substrate for coral recruitment and attaching coral fragments by using clusters of concrete blocks fused in horizontal and vertical directions Cost: 2 US$ per cluster attaching branching fragments to dead branching corals by means of plastic straps - Acropora formosa, A. nobilis, A. aspera 31

32 Conclusion The cheapest method is attaching branching fragments to dead branching corals by means of plastic straps but it has low rate of survival. The method of additional substrate for coral recruitment and attaching coral fragments by using clusters of concrete blocks fused in horizontal and vertical directions seems to be cheap and simple. Conclusion The method of attaching branching Acropora spp. with screws to designed PVC pipe frames in the coral nursery area has high survival rate. Selection of restoration method depends on objectives and area conditions. 32

Conclusion We recommend that coral restoration should be

awareness with supports of stakeholders and local

A CASE STUDY Creation of model coral communities by

COT Moritaka Nishihira Research Institute, Meio

jp Coral reef in healthy condition Devastated coral reef

33 Conclusion We recommend that coral restoration should be in small scale for tourism, education, and raising public awareness with supports of stakeholders and local communities. A CASE STUDY Creation of model coral communities by transplanting coral pieces and their multi-purpose use COT Moritaka Nishihira Research Institute, Meio University, Nago, Okinawa Japan moritaka@mail.meio-u.ac.jp Coral reef in healthy condition Devastated coral reef Recovery of coral community Natural = Larval settling Promotion= Transplantation No pollution Nature conservation Bleaching 33

Coral patch on a sand bottom Corals Presence Absence For community-based long-lasting conservation and restoration efforts by

works Safe: safe transplantation works Effective: effective transplantation works (Nishihira, 2007) Transplantation methods of coral

wire, wire coil, etc 3) Fix a coral piece to substrate with underwater adhesive 4) Fix a coral piece to substrate with a bamboo stick

coral pin 8) Spring method for limestone reef rocks 7) Pre-scored ceramic bar for hard substrate including concrete structures

34 Coral patch on a sand bottom Corals Presence Absence For community-based long-lasting conservation and restoration efforts by transplantation, we need tools and techniques for: CESE CESE CESE Cheap: low cost transplantation works Easy: easy transplantation works Safe: safe transplantation works Effective: effective transplantation works (Nishihira, 2007) Transplantation methods of coral pieces 1) Tie a coral piece to a holder on substrate with monofilament, wire, etc 2) Fix a coral piece to substrate with monofilament, wire, wire coil, etc 3) Fix a coral piece to substrate with underwater adhesive 4) Fix a coral piece to substrate with a bamboo stick 5) Insert a coral piece into a hole (with or without an adhesive) 6) Cover coral pieces arranged on substrate with a net 7) T-type coral pin 8) Spring method for limestone reef rocks 7) Pre-scored ceramic bar for hard substrate including concrete structures Fundamental 2 requirements of quick re-attachment Direct contact of coral soft part to substrate Immobility of coral pieces Tight fixing (Nishihira, 2007) 34

Spring method is good enough Pavona (Nishihira, 2007a) 140 120 A Pavona frondifera (Nishihira,

7 Acropora w w 0 d 700 d 60 40 160 140 120 700d 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 B Acropora sp.

1 459d 20 0 d 459 d 0 100 200 300 400 500 120 Montipora 100 C Montipora sp.

2 0 100 200 300 400 500 Days after transplantation In the moat of Gushichan-hama coast, Okinawa

In the first experiment, all of Acopora and some of Pavona died probably from disease.

In the second experiment, corals did no t detach, and well survived and showed good growths.

35 Spring method is good enough Pavona (Nishihira, 2007a) A Pavona frondifera (Nishihira, 2007) Size=sqrt(l*w) l l Size (mm) Acropora w w 0 d 700 d d B Acropora sp. Size (mm) d 20 0 d 459 d Montipora 100 C Montipora sp. 0 d 459 d Size (mm) Days after transplantation In the moat of Gushichan-hama coast, Okinawa Island, 3 species of corals were transplanted using spring method. In the first experiment, all of Acopora and some of Pavona died probably from disease. These were replaced by Acroporaand Montipora (the second experiment). In the second experiment, corals did no t detach, and well survived and showed good growths. 459d 5 Model A model community for gardening to make coral assemblages on bare rocks Some trials Pavona corals transplanted on a huge natural reef rock. (Nishihira, 2007) Mortality factors Detachment Predation Disease Sedimentation Algal overgrowth etc Acropora transplanted on the dead part of massive Porites. 35

36 (Nishihira, 2007) Kuta, Bali Repeating successive transplantations Death /disappearance First transplantation Second transplantation (Nishihira, 2007) 36

37 Cover an anchor block with corals by transplantation Pre-scored ceramic bar (Nishihira, 2007) Small-scale transplantation in many places Principally on natural reef substrates Also on artificial concrete structures St. 3 St. 4 St. 2 Island St. 1 St. 6 St. 5 Concept, technique, system St. 7 Successive transplantation (Nishihira, 2007) 37

38 38

39 CORAL REEF CONDITION Live Coral Cover (%) = Length of intercept of coral and octocoral X 100 Total line intercept length Length of intercept of sand % = Very Good 61-80% = Good 41-60% = Fair 21-40% = Poor 0-20% = Very Poor 39

40 Case Studies - How to make decision on coral reef restoration project - Coral reef condition and basic data - Location: Koh Phai, Krabi Province, the Andaman Sea 40

41 RECOMMENDATION 1.Providing additional substrates for coral recruitment 2.Reattach coral fragments on natural/artificial substrates 3. Natural recovery and Preventive measures to minimize tourism impacts 4.Demonstration site for coral reef restoration 41

42 Reduce Human Pressure on Coral Reefs Special designed artificial reef for tourism in Phuket,, Thailand Se Songploy,Thamasak Yeemin, Pinsak Suraswadi Background Tourism activity on natural coral reefs is an important cause of coral reef degradation. The Indian Ocean Tsunami 2004 had affected the coral reefs along the Andaman sea coast. Objectives To reduce impacts in natural reefs To increase number of diving spot To increase growth and diversity of marine organisms 42

43 Site Selection Process Does the reef conflict with present activities? Socio-Economic - Level of fishery - Dependency - Local industry - Unemployment User Conflicts - Shipping Industry - Fishing Industry - Predators - Amenable to Users - Recreation - Protected Areas Optimum Environmental Criteria User Preferences Is there a socio-economic incentive for the reef? Consultation phase Baseline information for area of development Exclusion Mapping Region Selected Further consultation with local agencies / people to select specific site Final Site Selection Reef Site Is the reef environmentally feasible? Physical Environmental - Oceanography - Seabed characteristics - Depth - Distance from shore - Water quality Biological Environment -Coral Reefs/Coral communities - Benthos - Fisheries - Sea Mammals - Birds - Productivity Socio-Economics of Local Fishermen Project Area Racha Yai island was selected because it s natural coral reefs were visited by many tourists 43

44 Phuket Diving Park Special Designed Artificial reefs were made from fiber Thai identity showed as special designed artificial reefs 20 meters in depth; Sand bottoms 44

45 Phuket Diving Park Sign Elephants 45

46 Thai traditional art arches with a pair of Thai demons Thai Pavilion 46

47 Pearl Oyster Associated Organisms 5 months later 47

48 Lionfish Puffer Barracuda Boxfish 48

49 Long fin bannerfish Batfish Three spot dascyllus Stonefish 49

50 Peppermint shrimp Benthic Organisms Barnacles 50

51 Bryozoa 51

52 52

53 53

54 Conclusion Diving in artificial reef areas would reduce impacts on natural reefs and support coral recovery. The artificial reefs also provide habitat for various marine organisms. The project supported many diving shops in Phuket Province. 54

55 55

56 Long-term Monitoring Program Coral recruitment Reef fish assemblages Benthic organisms Socio-economic aspects See You in Phuket 56

57 Snorkeling Trail Underwater notes 57

58 MARINE BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH GROUP DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY,FACULTY OF SCIENCE RAMKHAMHAENG UNIVERSITY BANGKOK 10240, THAILAND TEL/FAX:

Coral Reef Restoration Plan of Thailand

Galaxea, Journal of Coral Reef Studies (Special Issue): 428-433(2013) Proc 2 nd APCRS Coral Reef Restoration Plan of Thailand Pinsak SURASWADI 1, * and Thamasak YEEMIN 2 1 Department of Marine and Coastal