Bringing Back Reef Fish: Sustainable Impacts of Community-Based Restoration of Elkhorn Coral ( Acropora palmata ) in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico (2008–2023)

Edwin A. Hernández-Delgado () and Ricardo Laureano
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Edwin A. Hernández-Delgado: Sociedad Ambiente Marino, San Juan 00931, Puerto Rico
Ricardo Laureano: Grupo VIDAS, Vega Baja 00693, Puerto Rico

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 14, 1-41

Abstract: In response to the severe fragmentation of Elkhorn coral, Acropora palmata (Lamarck, 1816), stands caused by a major winter swell (“Holy Swell”) in March 2008, an emergency community-based low-tech restoration was initiated in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. Over a 15-year period, coral demographic performance and fish assemblages were monitored across four restored and four control (non-restored) 100 m 2 plots. The restoration effort proved to be highly successful, leading to successful coral survival and growth, and to sustained recovery of fish assemblages, particularly herbivore guilds. Significantly increased abundance, biomass, and diversity were observed across all trophic functional groups, fishery target species, and geo-ecological functional groups in both restored and control plots. These positive outcomes were attributed to enhanced spatial complexity by long-term coral growth, “nutrient hotspots” within restored plots, the refugia effect from enhanced benthic spatial complexity, and the recovery of fish dispersal paths promoting spillover effects from restored to adjacent non-restored areas. Restoring herbivore guilds and geo-ecological functional groups played a crucial role in restoring vital ecological processes promoting reef ecosystem resilience. Recommendations include integrating fish assemblage recovery into coral restoration strategies, establishing natural coral nursery plots for future coral sourcing, and incorporating the concept of nursery seascapes for a holistic and ecosystem-based approach to restoration.

Keywords: Acropora palmata; biodiversity; Caribbean coral reef; coral restoration; fish assemblages; fishery target species; geo-ecological functional groups; phylogenetic diversity; taxonomic distinctness; trophic functional groups (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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