Density of coral recruits on dome-shaped coral nurseries in Mu Ko Chumphon National Park, the western Gulf of Thailand

Abstract

Natural recruitment is an important recovery process in coral reef. Coral reef areas were decreased cause by climate change around the world. Therefore, several shaped of the artificial reef were designed to enhance the available substrate for coral recruitment. Knowledge of coral recruitment is required for understanding and managing coral reef ecosystems. This study quantified the abundance and taxonomic composition of juvenile corals on natural reefs and their relationships with dome-shaped coral nurseries in Mu Ko Chumphon National Park, the Western Gulf of Thailand, after deployed for one year. Dome-shaped coral nurseries were set up at Ko Rang Kachiu and Ko Ngam Yai. The results showed that the total density of coral recruits at Ko Gnam Yai was higher than that at Ko Rang Kachiu after six months (36.50±11.26 and 8.50±2.51 recruits/m2 ) and one year (69.79±10.26 and 39.77±4.51recruits/m2 ). The coral recruits of Pocillopora and Porites were commonly observed in shallow reef flats and reef slopes at Ko Rang Kachiu and Ko Ngam Yai. After one year, sizefrequency distribution of coral recruits ranged from 0.3-3.0 centimeters. The average sizes of coral recruits at Ko Rang Kachiu and Ko Ngam Yai were 1.79±0.30 and 0.84±0.23 centimeters, respectively. A better understanding of coral recruitment pattern is necessary for planning and managing of coral reef recovery in a global warming crisis.