Study on Growth Characteristics of Hermatypic Stony Corals and Their Compatibility with Artificial Reefs in Weizhou Island, Guangxi

Wang Mingwei; Zhou Yupeng; Huang Xueyong; Peng Mengjiao; Huang Guangxian; Wan Qiang; Tan Ronghua; Lin Wenbin; Yu Kefu; Huang Wen

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Wang Mingwei，Zhou Yupeng，Huang Xueyong, et al. Study on Growth Characteristics of Hermatypic Stony Corals and Their Compatibility with Artificial Reefs in Weizhou Island, Guangxi[J]. Haiyang Xuebao，2026, 48(x)：1–13

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Study on Growth Characteristics of Hermatypic Stony Corals and Their Compatibility with Artificial Reefs in Weizhou Island, Guangxi

Wang Mingwei^1
,,
Zhou Yupeng^{1, 2},
Huang Xueyong^{1
,
,},
Peng Mengjiao¹,
Huang Guangxian^{1, 2},
Wan Qiang^{1, 2},
Tan Ronghua¹,
Lin Wenbin³,
Yu Kefu^{1, 4},
Huang Wen^{1
,
,}

1.
Key Laboratory of South China Sea Coral Reef Research of Guangxi / Coral Reef Research Center / College of Oceanography, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, Guangxi, China
2.
College of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, Guangxi, China
3.
Guangxi Beihai Weizhou Island Culture and Tourism Group Co., Ltd., Beihai 536004, Guangxi, China
4.
Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, Guangdong, China

Received Date: 2026-02-06
Rev Recd Date: 2026-03-31

Available Online: 2026-04-17

Abstract

Abstract

Coral reef ecological restoration is internationally recognized as a pivotal technology and essential approach to reverse the degradation trend of coral reefs, which requires selecting native coral species for restoration and matched artificial reefs based on local conditions. Taking the degraded coral reef area of Weizhou Island, Guangxi as the research object, this study systematically investigated the growth adaptability of hermatypic stony corals and their compatibility with artificial reefs through a 10-month monitoring program of artificial nursery cultivation and an 18-month transplantation experiment involving three types of concrete artificial reefs (trapezoidal, table-shaped, and truncated conical). The results showed that the 10-month survival rates of all four tested coral species exceeded 85%. Both Acropora muricata and Acropora hyacinthus achieved 100% survival. Acropora hyacinthus exhibited a higher growth rate of living tissue projection area during some periods, while Acropora muricata performed better comprehensively in terms of survival stability, three-dimensional morphology formation, and engineering application potential, and can be used as the core restoration species. Among the three types of artificial reefs, the 18-month survival rate of corals on the trapezoidal artificial reef reached 92%, which was significantly higher than that on the truncated conical reef (77%) and the table-shaped reef (60%). Under environmental stress, physiological indicators including effective quantum yield and net photosynthetic rate showed significant specific responses to reef shapes, with the trapezoidal artificial reef demonstrating superior resistance to high temperature and typhoon stress as well as stronger damage recovery capability. The coral reef ecological restoration model established in this study—featuring Acropora muricata as the main restoration species, cable tie binding as the fixation method, metal seedbeds as the cultivation carrier, and trapezoidal artificial reefs as the colonization substrate—provides a scientific basis and practical technical reference for coral reef ecological restoration in typhoon-prone subtropical marine areas of China.
- Hermatypic stony corals,
- Artificial reefs,
- Coral transplantation,
- Ecological restoration,
- Weizhou Island

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References(44)

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