Grazing deterrents improve survival of outplanted juvenile corals.

ABSTRACT: High mortality of juvenile corals hinder both the natural recovery of populations and the successful implementation of restoration efforts. Grazing is a significant cause of juvenile coral mortality, and grazer exclusion devices have been shown to increase juvenile coral survivorship. However, most experiments have used cages that typically alter water flow and light conditions, making it difficult to separate abiotic effects from those of grazing. Here, we test whether grazing deterrents can increase the survival and growth of six-month-old Acropora digitifera juveniles outplanted to a shallow reef crest, using arrangements of two or four long or short masonry nails designed to physically exclude larger grazers (e.g., parrotfish) while minimising abiotic changes. By the end of our

SUBMITTER: van der Steeg E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12304057 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature