Coral transplantation in turbid waters at Rad Island, Phuket, Thailand

Abstract

Dredging for marina construction has affected shallow water reef of Rad Island, Phuket. The experiments on coral transplantation were set up to select appropriate coral species for transplanting in turbid environment. Ten species of coral, Turbinaria peltata, Favia pallida, Favia speciosa, Favites abdita, Favites halicora, Favites pentagona, Platygyran verweyi, Cyphastrea serailia, Porites lutea and Goniopora sp. were transplanted to shallow waters at the southeast side, and their survival and growth were monitored every 6 months. Two years after trans-plantation, survival rates of transplanted species were as follows: F. pallida (70.1%), F. speciosa (56.5%), F. pentagona (56%), T. peltata (54.8%), Goniopora sp. (50%), C. serailia (45.4%), F. abdita (42.8%), F. halicora (35.7%), P. lutea (24.3%) and P. verweyi (22.6%). Growth rate of transplanted corals were measured from colony height increase that ranged from 0.8 plus or minus 0.8cm upsilon .y super(-1) to 1.4 plus or minus 1cm upsilon .y super(-1) and approximate volume increase that ranged from 88.1 plus or minus 140.7cm super(3) upsilon .y super(-1) to 312 plus or minus 467.8cm super(3) upsilon .y super(-1). In addition, colonies of Acropora pulchra, Acropora aspera and Acropora formosa, which were obtained from mid-water nursery at Cape Panwa were transplanted to the northern side for one year. After one year, survival and linear extension were 38.6% and 5.9 plus or minus 1.8cm upsilon .y super(-1). A. formosa from local reef were also collected and transplanted in an adjacent area. After one year, survival and linear extension were 4.3 % and 1.1 plus or minus 0.5cm upsilon .y super(-1). It is concluded, that all species can survive in high turbid environment and coral from mid-water nursery can be transplanted from less stress environment.