Survivorship and growth rates for some transplanted coral reef building species and their potential for coral reef rehabilitation in the Red Sea

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The deterioration of coral reefs in Egypt is a serious environmental problem. As part of studying the reef habitats rehabilitation; about 180 specimens of 8 hard coral reef species belonging to 2 families (Pocilliporidae and Acroporidae) were transplanted using table-type galvanized steel frameworks. Survival and growth rates were measured in situ then monitored over 24 months. From the transplanted 180 specimens, 128 fragments representing 71% were still survived after 4 months decreased to 121 fragments with a percentage of 67.2% after 12 months increased to 123 fragments (after recovery of two specimens) with 68.3% of the transplanted  specimens after 24 months. Significant differences (P<0.05) in growth rates were observed among the three periods of investigation (4, 12 and 24 months) in both families. The mean growth rates of investigated species of Pocilliporidae; S. pistillata, P. damicornis and P. verrucosa after 4, 12 and 24 months were; 1.27±0.06 cm yr-1, 1.2±0.07 cm yr-1 and 1.03±0.07 cm yr-1 (F = 3.43, 3.16 and 4.95) respectively. The investigated species of Acroporidae; Acropora tenuis, A. digitifera, A. horrid, A. samoensis and A. variabilis recorded the annual mean growth rates of;0.56±0.02 cm yr-1, 0.45± 0.04 cm yr-1, 1.04± 0.05cm yr-1, 0.83± 0.04cm yr-1 and 0.98± 0.03cm yr-1 (F = 17.58, 0.59, 0.60, 1.50 and 2.83) respectively. New coral reef recruits were observed for S. pistillata, P. verrucosa, P. damicornis and A. degitefera, but the coral recovery was observed for S. pistillata only.

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