Sorting the wheat from the chaff – evaluating the potential benefits and risks of novel interventions on coral reefs

Coral reefs are at a cross road in terms of their ecological health and management. Declines in coral cover and health, in particular from mass bleaching, have spurred a flurry of discussion around the role of restoration in... [ view full abstract ]

Coral reefs are at a cross road in terms of their ecological health and management. Declines in coral cover and health, in particular from mass bleaching, have spurred a flurry of discussion around the role of restoration in the management of reefs. This discussion has moved from more traditional approaches, such as coral gardening and replenishment to include a range of novel approaches, many of which have never before been implemented in wild ecosystems or at large spatial scales. How will we know which approaches are good ideas and which ones are are not? This presentation will outline the approach taken in Australia’s Reef Recovery and Adaptation Program to answer this question. I will use case studies to highlight the potential benefits and risks of prospective biological approaches to support the recovery of reef habitats and enhance adaptation of reef corals. I will also explore the research and development required to demonstrate safety and efficacy, and how interventions may be bundled for greater impact. I will argue that while an exploration of novel reef restoration tools must not detract from a focus on addressing the root causes of reef declines, principally climate change, it is a conversation we must have. Rigorous, systematic and objective analyses of both existing and novel restoration approaches will ensure that coral reef managers and decision makers will have the best tools available to face the challenging task of conserving coral reefs in an uncertain and warming future.