NUrturing Reefs in Nurseries (Project NURIN):
Optimizing nursery designs for different coral types
Climate change is, undoubtedly, the biggest threat towards coral reefs. With rising sea temperatures, increasing storm frequency and intensity are affecting these vulnerable ecosystems. Fragile species such as branching corals are more likely to decline as time passes by. These species are often what give coral reefs their unique structure and require time to recover after intense storms. The decline of these fragile branching coral species could spell trouble for the marine organisms that call the reef their home.
Project NURIN focuses on Scleractinian corals, commonly known as hard corals, and their ability to recover from physical damage. |
One common problem in Malaysia is that artificial reefs are widely deployed to act as nurseries, but coral growth and survival have rarely been documented systematically. Coral fragments used for these artificial reefs are often selected arbitrarily. But is it true that all types of fragments are equal?
Located in the South China Sea, the reefs on Rawa Island and Lang Tengah Island are impacted by seasonal monsoon storms, making them suitable sites for this project. As part of her MPhil research, K.L. Chew will set up two different nursery designs, and will monitor recuperation rates of different coral species on them. Comparisons of recuperation rates between the different corals will help determine which types are ideal for reef rehabilitation efforts in the region.
Located in the South China Sea, the reefs on Rawa Island and Lang Tengah Island are impacted by seasonal monsoon storms, making them suitable sites for this project. As part of her MPhil research, K.L. Chew will set up two different nursery designs, and will monitor recuperation rates of different coral species on them. Comparisons of recuperation rates between the different corals will help determine which types are ideal for reef rehabilitation efforts in the region.
We acknowledge our primary partners in the proof-of-concept phase - Rawa Island Resort for providing full logistical support and OrcaNation for diving facilities and dive assistance. We thank Summer Bay Resort Lang Tengah Island and Lang Tengah SCUBA Adventure for supporting our additional experimental trials.
K.L. Chew is supervised by Affendi Yang Amri, Jillian Ooi Lean Sim, and Nuradilla Mohamad Fauzi.
K.L. Chew is supervised by Affendi Yang Amri, Jillian Ooi Lean Sim, and Nuradilla Mohamad Fauzi.
Note: the nurseries in the photos below are purely for experimental purposes and are removed at the end of every experimental cycle. No plastic footprints are left behind.
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