EcoRRAP (ecological intelligence for reef restoration)

Ecological Intelligence for Reef Restoration (EcoRRAP)

The EcoRRAP R&D Subprogram fills key knowledge gaps essential for the success and cost-effectiveness of reef restoration interventions.

An integrated field program, EcoRRAP provides data on region-, temperature- and species-specific coral life-histories.

It quantifies natural rates of recovery and adaptation in response to global and local changes, as well as rates of recovery in response to interventions.

The central objective is to optimise interventions by understanding the ‘how, where, and when’ of natural reef recovery. This foundational data will help inform assumptions and decisions across the whole of RRAP and enable the success and cost-effectiveness of intervention research and development.

Current projects

Integrated Field Testing

Alongside subprogram management and coordination, this project is focused on the establishment and long-term monitoring of Reference Reef sites across the length and breadth of the Reef. The Reference Reef sites provide critical baseline data sets to support RRAP decision makers in determining the how, why, and where of intervention deployment.

Limits to Early Recovery

This project aims to inform coral restoration planning by identifying agents of mortality for juvenile corals and how these vary in relation to environmental and ecological interactions, as well as defining the ideal size and density of adult corals to overcome reproduction bottlenecks and support larval production to optimise natural recovery.

Ecological and Genetic Adaptation

This project will generate knowledge on the important traits driving natural recovery and adaptation to both disturbances like heat stress and to restoration interventions. The project will investigate the variation of these traits across space, time, environments, and species.

3D models produced using photogrammetry. This work is part of the Integrated Field Testing project and aims to map the growth, recovery and survival of corals over time, providing vital information to support restoration efforts. Credit: Renata Ferrari Legorreta