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Staghorn Coral, (Acropora cervicornis), is one of the predominant "reef building" corals of the Caribbean. It was listed in 2006 as endangered by the National Marine Fisheries Service, as the species decline has progressed rapidly since the late 1970's. Cumulative events, such as disease outbreak, cold fronts, and the loss of the long-spined sea urchin (Diadema antillarum) from this initial time period have significantly contributed to the loss of this species essential to the Caribbean marine environments. Furthermore, staghorn corals also face pressure from various direct and indirect pressures from human activity, such as rising green house gases, overfishing, and coastal development. Additional information can be found by visiting our "related links" on our homepage.
The Coral Restoration Foundation has developed innovative techniques to "jump start" the revival of this specific species to the Caribbean region, more specifically to the Florida Keys at this time. The sequence of photos shows growth phases of the coral from their initial clippings to mature adults on the reefs.
Staghorn coral fragments, as seen in this photo, are trimmed in 3 cm increments from larger corals housed in CRF's nursery three miles off-shore of Key Largo. By using a series of techniques employed by CRF staghorn corals are secured and left to grow within their natural environment.
Corals are then left to mature within the nursery for more than a year. During their maturity corals are monitored and managed during specific times under CRF staff supervision. Management strategies for ensuring higher survival rates include algae removal, monitoring for disease and/or broken branches, repairing damage, as well as recording growth rates.
Corals are then strategically planted on selected reefs during warmer months (May-October) in locations throughout the Upper Keys region. Corals at this stage have little chance of being damaged, except for divers visiting the reef. However, an increase in warmer temperatures can stress corals to bleach and increase the susceptibility to disease thus leading to potential death. The staghorn coral seen here in the photo is approximately a year and a half old. It was planted in July, 2007, and has grown significantly well in the course of two years-from nursery to reef.
This photo was taken in July, 2008, and clearly demonstrates the significant growth of the coral in just one year on the reef. During this phase, CRF completes bi-annual measurements allowing us to gain knowledge of the exponential growth over time. Corals at this time also face serious pressure from algae competing for space and predators, such as fireworms and snails. Through monitoring and management the corals have a larger survival rate.
As seen here in the August, 2009 photo, staghorn corals have the ability to reach a massive size within two years on the reef in their natural environment. At this stage, although still prone to disease and predation and other stressors, staghorn corals have the ability to multiply through sexual reproduction. In addition, staghorn corals multiply their surroundings via natural breakage and reattachment. However, due to high levels of algae growth and low populations of the natural algae grazer, the long-spined sea urchin, (diadema antillarum), natural reattachment is limited.
CRF plays a significant role in sustaining the survival of staghorn corals on the reefs by replanting broken branches, and removing algae and predators. These management strategies have been and will continue to be implemented in all restoration projects.
More here...
The Coral Restoration Foundation has developed innovative techniques to "jump start" the revival of this specific species to the Caribbean region, more specifically to the Florida Keys at this time. The sequence of photos shows growth phases of the coral from their initial clippings to mature adults on the reefs.
Staghorn coral fragments, as seen in this photo, are trimmed in 3 cm increments from larger corals housed in CRF's nursery three miles off-shore of Key Largo. By using a series of techniques employed by CRF staghorn corals are secured and left to grow within their natural environment. 
Corals are then left to mature within the nursery for more than a year. During their maturity corals are monitored and managed during specific times under CRF staff supervision. Management strategies for ensuring higher survival rates include algae removal, monitoring for disease and/or broken branches, repairing damage, as well as recording growth rates.
Corals are then strategically planted on selected reefs during warmer months (May-October) in locations throughout the Upper Keys region. Corals at this stage have little chance of being damaged, except for divers visiting the reef. However, an increase in warmer temperatures can stress corals to bleach and increase the susceptibility to disease thus leading to potential death. The staghorn coral seen here in the photo is approximately a year and a half old. It was planted in July, 2007, and has grown significantly well in the course of two years-from nursery to reef.
This photo was taken in July, 2008, and clearly demonstrates the significant growth of the coral in just one year on the reef. During this phase, CRF completes bi-annual measurements allowing us to gain knowledge of the exponential growth over time. Corals at this time also face serious pressure from algae competing for space and predators, such as fireworms and snails. Through monitoring and management the corals have a larger survival rate. 
As seen here in the August, 2009 photo, staghorn corals have the ability to reach a massive size within two years on the reef in their natural environment. At this stage, although still prone to disease and predation and other stressors, staghorn corals have the ability to multiply through sexual reproduction. In addition, staghorn corals multiply their surroundings via natural breakage and reattachment. However, due to high levels of algae growth and low populations of the natural algae grazer, the long-spined sea urchin, (diadema antillarum), natural reattachment is limited. CRF plays a significant role in sustaining the survival of staghorn corals on the reefs by replanting broken branches, and removing algae and predators. These management strategies have been and will continue to be implemented in all restoration projects.
More here...
