Restored Coral Reefs Can Grow as Fast as Healthy Ones, New Research Shows

New research reveals that restored coral reefs can grow as fast as healthy ones, providing similar habitats for marine life and protecting adjacent islands from coastal erosion. The study found that coral cover, colony sizes, and carbonate production rates tripled following coral transplantation and were indistinguishable from nearby healthy reefs in all investigated parameters after just four years. This research shows that active management actions can help boost the resilience of specific reefs and bring back important functions critical for marine life and local communities.