New Research on Coral Keiki From ʻĀkoʻakoʻa Scientists
January 9, 2024
Study Finds That Existing Reef's Structure is Important for Coral Keiki (Babies) to Survive
ʻĀkoʻakoʻa program Affiliate Scientist Dr. Rachel Carlson, alongside Drs. Greg Asner and Robin Martin, have published new research findings on the relationship between reef morphology - or 3-dimensional structure - of established reef and the successful recruitment of coral. Their findings show that protecting potential settlement areas of the coral larvae in the ocean, both up-current and down-current, is essential for supporting restoration activities like the ʻĀkoʻakoʻa program's.
Research for the study was completed in Miloliʻi and in coordination with community members and partners from Kalanihale, who manage the Miloliʻi Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area, established in 2022.
Learn more about the study and what it means for ʻĀkoʻakoʻa and communities of Hawaiʻi, or read the scientific journal article published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.