Author(s): Hiroyuki Takasuna; Katsunori Yamaki; Takashi Nakamura; Wilfredo L. Campos; Yasmin Primavera Tirol; Gilson Andre Narciso; Ayin Tamondong; Yuta A. Takagi; Kristian R. Monay; Raphael De La Rosa; Renmil Lambid; Lucas Felix; Ryan Morales Basina; Jean Rose Maquirang; Beverly Tudence Jaspe; Nobuyuki Nakatomi; Masahiro Tanaka; Kazuo Nadaoka

Linked Author(s):

Keywords: Integrated approach; Integrated simulation model; Sedimentation; Coral Net; Coral rehabilitation

Abstract: The Integrated Approach for Coral Reef Conservation and Rehabilitation (InCORE) was proposed, and its pilot scale project was conducted in Tangalan, Aklan, the Philippines. The InCORE introduced a holistic approach consisting of environmental assessment using an integrated computer simulation model system and remote sensing, coral rehabilitation by a mesh-type artificial platform (Coral NetTM), and periodical post-intervention monitoring, with close collaboration with local stakeholders, for sustainable and resilient coral reef restoration. The environmental assessment results and communication with local stakeholders suggested that destructive fishing in the past and environmental stresses such as high sedimentation conditions, high seawater temperature, high wave conditions were estimated as potential factors for coral degradation in the project site. In the pilot test for coral rehabilitation using Coral Net with coral fragments, survival rate remained to be high at 80–94% and substantial increases of coral cover were observed in 10 months at the offshore and western sites of the Bay. Meanwhile, survival of coral fragments and coral growth were apparently limited at the eastern sites severely affected by high sedimentation. Through these results, we confirmed that the Coral Net was effective in coral regeneration by improving the unstable substrate condition, while high level of sedimentation was one of the critical local stresses that must be addressed to scale up coral restoration in the project site.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64697/978-90-835589-7-4_41WC-P1758-cd

Year: 2025