ABSTRACT
Coastal development activities to support economic development and population growth have caused widespread degradation of Singapore’s coral reefs. This provided opportunities for the development of science-based strategies to mitigate complete reef loss and ensure the maintenance of genetic diversity from affected areas. Here, we summarize key lessons from a five-year research program that aimed to maximize the conservation and restoration of stony coral diversity from Sultan Shoal, a southern offshore island predicted to be impacted by the expansion of Singapore’s port operations. Prior assessments of environmental conditions helped determine the suitability of potential recipient sites as nurseries for stocking coral material from Sultan Shoal and subsequent transplant locations. The customization of nursery design and regular maintenance regimes were 252essential for enhancing the survival and growth of transplanted corals. The suitability of 30 coral species as candidates for transplantation was tested, thereby generating growth rates for the planning of future restoration efforts. Concurrently, protocols for transplantation were also refined to achieve greater ecologically-effective outcomes. These efforts led to the provision of valuable ecosystem services to recipient sites, such as increased habitat for various reef biota and the contribution of genetic material from sexually mature coral transplants, underscoring the importance of regular monitoring to assess long-term outcomes of restoration.
