AACL Bioflux, 2016, Volume 9, Issue 5. http://www.bioflux.com.ro/aacl 1090 Growth performance of Acropora formosa in natural reefs and coral nurseries for reef restoration 1 Loke H. Xin, 1 Kee A. A. Adzis, 2 Julian Hyde, 1 Zaidi C. Cob 1 School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, National University of Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia; 2 Reef Check Malaysia, Suite 5.19-5.22, Box 606, Wisma Central, Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Corresponding author: Z. C. Cob, zdcc@ukm.edu.my Abstract . Coral reefs are highly valuable ecosystems and play crucial roles in marine ecosystem dynamics by providing food and shelters for many organisms. Unfortunately, coral reefs around the globe are declining, thus apart from marine protected areas, active conservation and restoration efforts are extremely crucial. In this study Acropora formosa nubbins were transplanted and their performance were monitored, with the main aim to evaluate their survivals and growth in comparison with natural reef. The extension growth, proto-branch generation, mortality and survivals were assessed for one year in Tioman Island, Malaysia. The A. formosa growth rates ranged from 0.59±0.07 to 1.20±0.03 cm mth -1 in the nursery and from 0.55±0.13 to 0.72±0.11 cm mth -1 in the natural reef. The transplanted corals exhibit higher growth rates particularly during early period of transplant, and moreover have significantly higher proto-branch generation rates compared with the natural colony. However, their survivals were significantly low, mostly due to predation by fish and other corallivores. Seasonal variations in coral growth were observed, with faster rates during the inter-monsoon period (March-April and October- November). This study for the first time, documented the success of A. formosa transplantation and its application in coral nurseries in Malaysian waters. Coral transplantation is highly beneficial for active coral reef restoration and conservation. Nevertheless, continuous long term, systematic monitoring are needed in order to have greater understanding of the A. formosa growth and dynamics in the tropical coral reef ecosystems. Key Words: Acropora formosa, coral growth rates, coral nursery, reef restoration, coral transplant. Introduction . Coral reefs are highly valuable ecosystems, and are well known for the variety of marine flora and fauna within. These reefs play crucial roles in marine ecology and coastline protection, and are also vital in providing food and other resources to coastal communities (Hoegh-Guldberg et al 2007; Burke et al 2011; Osinga et al 2011). Unfortunately, coral reefs around the globe have been declining rapidly. This degradation resulted from a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors, such as climate change (Baker et al 2008; Munday et al 2008; Ateweberhan et al 2013), pollution (Burke et al 2011; Feary et al 2012; Riegl & Purkis 2012), sedimentation (Wolanski et al 2004; Fabricius et al 2005; Wooldridge 2009), destructive fishing (Jackson et al 2001; Chabanet et al 2005; Fox et al 2005; Hughes et al 2007; Caras & Pasternak 2009) and coral mining (Caras & Pasternak 2009). The decline in reef health has driven many studies to determine the effects of the natural and anthropogenic factors mentioned above. Research and publications on coral reefs has since dramatically increased, and with that more awareness are coming from the public as well as legislators. As a result, legislations and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been introduced in some countries (Rinkevich 2005). However the annual loss of coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific still increased from 1% to 2% between 1997 and 2003 (Rinkevich 2005, 2008). Thus, the concept of active conservation and restoration was introduced in order to replenish and restore degraded reefs more quickly and more effectively. Example method is coral transplantation where corals were collected from a healthy donor reef and cultivated in ‘nurseries’ similar to the method in silviculture