Considerations for maximizing the adaptive potential of restored coral populations in the western Atlantic.

ABSTRACT: Active coral restoration typically involves two interventions: crossing gametes to facilitate sexual larval propagation; and fragmenting, growing, and outplanting adult colonies to enhance asexual propagation. From an evolutionary perspective, the goal of these efforts is to establish self-sustaining, sexually reproducing coral populations that have sufficient genetic and phenotypic variation to adapt to changing environments. Here, we provide concrete guidelines to help restoration practitioners meet this goal for most Caribbean species of interest. To enable the persistence of coral populations exposed to severe selection pressure from many stressors, a mixed provenance strategy is suggested: genetically unique colonies (genets) should be sourced both locally as well as from more distant

SUBMITTER: Baums IB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6916196 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature