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<p>Larval performance is a critical bottleneck in coral restoration using in situ seeding approaches, yet early-stage larval survivorship and settlement remain difficult to predict based on site appearance alone. Here, we applied an effects-based methods (EBM) approach using <i>Diploria labyrinthiformis</i> larvae to evaluate whether site-specific environmental conditions influenced larval performance at a previously unsuccessful in situ culture site in Bonaire. Larvae were exposed to seawater collected from seven locations, including stratified depths and a reference site, and to settlement substrates (seeding units) pre-conditioned at four different locations. Larval survivorship was significantly lower in surface water from the original site compared to all other treatments, while survivorship in mid-water and deeper samples from the same location was unaffected. Although settlement did not differ significantly among water types, performance was again lowest in surface water from the original site. Substrate conditioning under a shaded dock at this site also resulted in reduced settlement compared to nearby exposed locations. These findings suggest that even seemingly suitable reef areas can contain localized stressors that impair larval performance. Simple larval assays offer a biologically relevant screening tool to identify such limitations prior to restoration. This brief report demonstrates the value of pairing EBM with coral larvae to guide site selection and improve the early-stage success of larval-based coral restoration efforts.</p>

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Effects-based assessment of water and benthic habitat quality using coral larvae

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月29日

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  • K. R. W. Latijnhouwers,
  • A. J. Van der Last,
  • F. Virdis,
  • N. Le Trocquer,
  • S. Tuijten,
  • V. F. Chamberland,
  • M. W. Miller

摘要

Larval performance is a critical bottleneck in coral restoration using in situ seeding approaches, yet early-stage larval survivorship and settlement remain difficult to predict based on site appearance alone. Here, we applied an effects-based methods (EBM) approach using Diploria labyrinthiformis larvae to evaluate whether site-specific environmental conditions influenced larval performance at a previously unsuccessful in situ culture site in Bonaire. Larvae were exposed to seawater collected from seven locations, including stratified depths and a reference site, and to settlement substrates (seeding units) pre-conditioned at four different locations. Larval survivorship was significantly lower in surface water from the original site compared to all other treatments, while survivorship in mid-water and deeper samples from the same location was unaffected. Although settlement did not differ significantly among water types, performance was again lowest in surface water from the original site. Substrate conditioning under a shaded dock at this site also resulted in reduced settlement compared to nearby exposed locations. These findings suggest that even seemingly suitable reef areas can contain localized stressors that impair larval performance. Simple larval assays offer a biologically relevant screening tool to identify such limitations prior to restoration. This brief report demonstrates the value of pairing EBM with coral larvae to guide site selection and improve the early-stage success of larval-based coral restoration efforts.