Experimental coral transplantation in the moat of Kuta beach, Bali Island, Indonesia

Abstract

In a search for suitable coral species and fixing methods in coral transplantation and to elucidate environmental factors affecting survival and growth of corals, we conducted experimental transplantations in the moat (shallow lagoon) of Kuta beach, Bali. On 20 limestone substrates set in the moat, we transplanted each 40 pieces of 10 species of corals. Coral pieces were fixed using either a spring or a cable tie. Corals used for experiments consisted of Acropora (4 spp.), Montipora (3 spp.), Hydnophora (1 sp.), Galaxea (1 sp.) and Pocillopora (1 sp.). These corals were obtained from a coral farm in Bali. Corals were transplanted on substrates, and underwater working time was also measured. Monitoring for more than 2 years was continued intermittently for coral survival, growth, effect of environmental factors on the survival, etc.