Understanding coral attachment and asexual reproduction to optimise global reef out-planting restoration

<p该项目侧重于开发和重新应用先进的成像和采样技术，以观察珊瑚在无性繁殖过程中的精确生理和行为。lt;/p> <新方法的发展使我们能够建立珊瑚附着的第一个概念模型，这是第一次使我们能够描述导致基质附着的生物步骤，而不是数周/数月。这个模型现在是一个跨机构的合作项目的中心，该项目将在多个受威胁的珊瑚物种中测试该模型，以确定限制和提高附着率和程度的因素。该项目将设定精确的生物基线，协议和时间表，为澳大利亚的珊瑚培育计划和全球外植实践提供信息，以提高恢复实践的成功率。lt;/p>

<p>This project focuses on developing and re-applying advanced imaging and sampling techniques to observe over time the precise physiology and behaviour of coral during asexual reproduction.</p> <p>The development of novel methods has allowed us to establish the first conceptual model for coral attachment, that for the first time allowed us to describe the biological steps leading to substrate attachment over hours/days, instead of weeks/months. This model is now at the center of a cross-institutional collaborative project with the and the  that will test the model across multiple species of threatened corals to identifying factors that limit and enhance the rate and extent of attachment. This project will set precise biological baselines, protocols and timelines that inform Australia’s Coral Nurture Program and global out-planting practices – enhancing the success of restoration practices.</p>