Staghorn Coral (Acropora Cervicornis) - Ryan Lau

Architects of the Reef – Staghorn Coral

Ryan Lau

Staghorn Coral Colony - Wikipedia

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Hello, readers!

This week, I want to bring into the spotlight an endangered species that doesn't receive the attention it ought to: the Staghorn Coral! Specifically, I'll be looking at the Acropora Cervicornis, but there are about 400 different species within this branch of Acropora family! 

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What are they, and why do they matter?

I call them "Architects of the Reef" because that's the role they play in their ecosystem. Staghorn Coral serve as the foundation and "builders" of many coral reefs. In fact, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) describe them as a "foundation coral" that have built Carribean reefs over thousands of years. This is due to their being amongst the fastest growing corals, which also allows them to outgrow other species of corals. Because of their ability to grow quickly they can branch out and form the foundation of coral reefs, and effectively inform the design of the reef, hence the term "architect." 

Habitat and Ecology

Staghorn Coral are coral that dwell in shallow tropical reefs, particularly favoring upper to mid-reef slopes and lagoons with little wave exposure. As a reef-building coral, Staghorn Corals gain an advantage with regard to this task, in part, due to their light skeletons. Another contributing factor is due to their "branching" structure from which they get their name, which allows for structures for a reef to be created. 

Staghorn Coral have interesting reproductive cycles, as Staghorn Coral are able to reproduce both sexually and asexually. However, sexual reproduction does not often occur successfully. As a result, asexual reproduction or "fragmentation" is the primary form of reproduction, and the genetic diversity of the coral is a concern to its fitness. Fragmentation occurs when a piece or branch of the coral breaks off and continues to grow to form another colony. This is utilized by conservationists to increase the population of the corals. 

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Why have they been classified as a "critically endangered" species?

Population and Geography

Unfortunately, NOAA also informs readers that this species of coral is at "about 3% of its historic abundance," which is so low that it currently has a very small impact on building reefs. Similarly, the IUCN reports a decrease in population "exceeding 80% over the past 30 years." This severe decrease in population is why the coral is unable to perform their tasks as reef-builders as they did so historically. The population has had a particularly high decrease due to its susceptibility to bleaching and disease.

The species can be found in the Carribean, the southern Gulf of Mexico, Florida, and the Bahamas.

Distribution Map - IUCN Red List Report

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What are threats to the Staghorn Coral?

The primary threats to the Staghorn Coral are disease, bleaching, storms, and predation by Three-spot Damselfish. Localized threats are typically caused by human actions be that by development, pollution, recreational activities, or even invasive species. 

As seems to be common thread nowadays, climate change has caused the Staghorn Coral to be more at risk to threats such as disease and bleaching. White-band disease, in particular, is responsible for population declines of coral regionwide. Ocean acidification and temperature-induced bleaching, as well as destruction caused by more violent storms, are directly related to climate change. 

Sedimentation and algal blooms are also responsible for habitat degradation and destruction. This is due to runoff from nearby human infrastructure, such as farms, roads, and building sites. 

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What is being done? 

In response to the current state of their populations and the threats that Staghorn Coral face, the IUCN has classified the species as "critically endangered." There have also been efforts, such as those by the NOAA in the video below, to propagate populations through utilizing fragmentation as a reproduction technique. This involves taking pieces of coral and creating framework for them to grow, this is followed by harvesting and relocating the newly grown coral to sites. 

A video of a recovery project conducted by NOAA

What needs to be done?

A key area that will greatly benefit conservation efforts is research into fecundity of the coral, their methods of reproducing, as well as monitoring existing populations. While there are ongoing conservation efforts, research should be conducted on their relative success. Research should also be conducted on the diseases that plague coral species to develop methods of combatting the problems. 

What can you do?

It is easy to feel powerless when so many different problems plague our world, but it is clear that corals are essential to supporting marine ecosystems, and the Staghorn Coral is an essential part of maintaining these ecosystems. You can make a difference by simple acts of spreading awareness for the problem, and, if you have the means, donating to charities that support the research necessary for the conservation of marine species. 

I've briefly summarized the information I have found, for further information on conservation efforts check out these sites!

Arkive

Reef Check

The Coral Reef Alliance

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As both an aspiring architect and a scuba diver, this coral is simply amazing to me. Their roles in coral environments were something I never thought of or expected. Since becoming certified my interest in marine conservation has grown, and as an architect and designer these corals also relate to my other interests. I hope you all can garner as much of a passion as I have with regards to these amazing species. 

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Works Cited

ARKive. "Staghorn Corals Videos, Photos and Facts." ARKive. Wildscreen ARKive, July 2007. Web. 28 Nov. 2016. <http://www.arkive.org/staghorn-corals/acropora-spp/>.

Aronson, R., A. Bruckner, J. Moore, B. Precht, and E. Weil. "Acropora Cervicornis." Acropora Cervicornis (Staghorn Coral). IUCN Red List, 1 Jan. 2008. Web. 14 Nov. 2016. <http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/133381/0>.

Monterey Bay Aquarium. "Staghorn Coral." Monterey Bay Aquarium. Monterey Bay Aquarium, n.d. Web. 28 Nov. 2016. <https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animal-guide/invertebrates/staghorn-coral>.

NOAA Coral Restoration - Acropora Population Recovery in PR. Dir. Jennifer Moore. Prod. NOAA. Perf. NOAA. NOAA Coral Restoration - Acropora Population Recovery in PR. YouTube, 6 Mar. 2013. Web. 28 Nov. 2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tvfmWdZHR4>.

NOAA. "Staghorn Coral (Acropora Cervicornis) :: NOAA Fisheries." NOAA Fisheries. NOAA, 5 Mar. 2015. Web. 28 Nov. 2016. <http://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pr/species/invertebrates/coral/staghorn-coral.html>.

NOAA. "Staghorn Coral Home Page :: Southeast Regional Office." Southeast Regional Office. NOAA, n.d. Web. 28 Nov. 2016. <http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/protected_resources/coral/staghorn_coral/>.