Integrating Restoration Tools and Techniques
RRFB implements a variety of restoration techniques, each tailored for the species and conditions here in Bonaire. Our diverse set of tools share a common goal: to strengthen the reef on a biological level. We harness the natural reproductive strategies of coral to enhance both the abundance and genetic diversity of vulnerable species. By focusing on genetic strains with higher tolerance to stress, we aim to create more resilient coral populations that are better able to withstand their changing environment.
Fragmentation
Coral fragmentation encompasses all of our work in nurseries and outplanting sites. By harnessing the ability of corals to reproduce asexually, we can produce a large number of corals in a relatively short period of time.
We grow 14 species in our nurseries and collectively over 140 genotypes, which are monitored for tolerance to environmental stress as part of our selective propagation efforts. Once they reach “reef ready” size, coral fragments are outplanted back to the reef, where they can develop into sexually mature colonies and support the wider ecosystem.
Coral Breeding
Coral breeding is the process of assisting coral sexual reproduction to produce genetically diverse offspring. By improving success rates at critical stages, such as fertilization, larval development, and settlement, coral breeding helps support the survival of new coral generations.
Research shows that these corals are often more tolerant of higher temperatures, making them better equipped to withstand coral bleaching.
Monitoring
Monitoring is essential to everything that we do, helping us measure our progress towards broader restoration goals. We employ regular surveys of our nurseries, large-scale photomosaics of outplanting sites, coral breeding metrics, and measure ecological impacts of our efforts.
These methods collectively provide data which informs our decision-making and helps us set priorities going forward.