Abstract
340 hard coral colonies have been planted on 34 reefball constructions. The results show that survival rate ranged from 64.7 to 79.4%, the average of 69.4%, the highest survival rate was for the species Pocillopora verrucosa 79.4% and the lowest is for the species Acropora formosa 64.7%. The average growth rate of Acropora nobilis is about 7.7 mm per month, and one of Acropora formosa is around 6.7 mm per month. For table corals Acropora latistella, the average growth rate is approximately 9.6 mm per month, and for Acropora hyacinthus, the average growth rate is 7.7 mm/month. For species of cauliflower coral Pocillopora verrucosa has an average growth rate around 7.9 mm per month. The number of fishes species have increased from 3 to 10 species and the number of individuals increased from 16 individuals per 100m2 to 453 individuals per 100m2, of which the largest increase was Dascyllus trimaculatus up to 170 individuals per 100m2. Coral larvae have attached and grown on all 34 reefball constructions after one year. The recruit number varied between 7 - 15 colonies per reefball. A total of 325 coral larvae have settled on 34 reefball constructions, an average of 9.6 larvae per 1 construction. The diameter of coral larvae which were growing on reefball varied betwen 4-55 mm. Coral larvae mainly gather on the vertical surface of the substrate. The majority of coral larvae are Pocillopora verrucosa species, accounting for 69.9% (227 colonies). This study shows that reefball constructions can be effectively used as optimal means for rehabilitating damaged coral reefs.
Published Version
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