Success of restoration strategies in preventing extirpation of 2 critically endangered coral species

An unprecedented marine heatwave in 2023 caused widespread coral bleaching and mortality throughout the Caribbean. In the Florida Keys (USA), 2 foundation species, elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) and staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis), were severely affected. These species have been the primary focus of reef restoration in Florida for decades. Substantial losses of these species occurred in outplanted populations, in ocean-based nurseries, and among remnant wild colonies, leading to uncertainty over their future in the Florida Keys, given recent observed trends in climate conditions. However, the past 2 decades of restoration activity created a community of experts, a network of ocean-based and land-based coral-rearing infrastructure, and 2 independent land-based coral gene banks that prevented regional extirpation and preserved much of the genetic richness of these critically endangered coral species. Without the past decades of effort and the emergency response associated with the 2023 bleaching event, Florida acroporids would largely have been lost. This outcome afforded by the restoration network in Florida demonstrates the value of proactively establishing resources prior to major disturbances. We identified several critical strategies that, in the context of existing climate change, are preventing the extirpation of coral species in Florida, including extending collaborative restoration efforts to solidify a network of trained experts; establishing trust-focused relationships among management agencies and restoration groups; testing direct interventions to reduce light and temperature stress early during thermal anomalies; developing redundant ocean-based and land-based nurseries; and establishing living coral gene banks prior to major threats to prevent the extirpation of coral species.

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Publication Details

Journal
Conservation Biology
Published
2025-11-22
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.70168
Primary Topic
Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Success of restoration strategies in preventing extirpation of 2 critically endangered coral species

Caitlin Lustic, Keri L. O’Neil, Ilsa B. Kuffner, Martine D’Alessandro et al.
Conservation Biology
Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
article

Success of restoration strategies in preventing extirpation of 2 critically endangered coral species

Caitlin Lustic, Keri L. O’Neil, Ilsa B. Kuffner, Martine D’Alessandro, Dalton Hesley, Kylie M. Smith, Erich Bartels, Diego Lirman, Bailey C. Thomasson, Mark C. Ladd, Erinn M. Muller, Ben Daughtry, Amanda S. Bourque, Andrew Charles Baker, David S. Gilliam, Richard F. Karp, Angelo Jason Spadaro, Beth Firchau, Abigail S. Clark, PH Montoya-Maya, Cindy Lewis, Nikkie Cox, Kristene T. Parsons, Margaret W. Miller, Ken Nedimyer, Jennifer Moore, David Vaughan, Joseph Unsworth, Kevin Macauley, Leneita Fix
article en

Abstract

An unprecedented marine heatwave in 2023 caused widespread coral bleaching and mortality throughout the Caribbean. In the Florida Keys (USA), 2 foundation species, elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) and staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis), were severely affected. These species have been the primary focus of reef restoration in Florida for decades. Substantial losses of these species occurred in outplanted populations, in ocean-based nurseries, and among remnant wild colonies, leading to uncertainty over their future in the Florida Keys, given recent observed trends in climate conditions. However, the past 2 decades of restoration activity created a community of experts, a network of ocean-based and land-based coral-rearing infrastructure, and 2 independent land-based coral gene banks that prevented regional extirpation and preserved much of the genetic richness of these critically endangered coral species. Without the past decades of effort and the emergency response associated with the 2023 bleaching event, Florida acroporids would largely have been lost. This outcome afforded by the restoration network in Florida demonstrates the value of proactively establishing resources prior to major disturbances. We identified several critical strategies that, in the context of existing climate change, are preventing the extirpation of coral species in Florida, including extending collaborative restoration efforts to solidify a network of trained experts; establishing trust-focused relationships among management agencies and restoration groups; testing direct interventions to reduce light and temperature stress early during thermal anomalies; developing redundant ocean-based and land-based nurseries; and establishing living coral gene banks prior to major threats to prevent the extirpation of coral species.

Conservation Biology
The Nature Conservancy (US), United States Geological Survey (US), St. Thomas University (US), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (US), SIL International (US), University of Miami (US), Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (US), Florida International University (US), Nova Southeastern University (US), Association of Zoos and Aquariums (US), Mote Marine Laboratory (US), Florida Aquarium (US), Clinical Research of South Florida (US), Community Care (US), Premiere Research Institute (US), NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service Southeast Fisheries Science Center (US), Select Engineering Services (United States) (US), Virginia Sea Grant (US), University of Tampa (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 65%
Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
DOISourceOpenAlex
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