Assisted Evolution as a Coral Reef Restoration Strategy

Nieuwschepen, Maureen (2021) Assisted Evolution as a Coral Reef Restoration Strategy. Bachelor's Thesis, Biology.

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Abstract

Anthropogenic influences threaten coral reefs worldwide. A major threat is climate change, which results in ocean warming and ocean acidification. These effects cause coral bleaching: the breakdown of the symbiosis between corals and their zooxanthellae. Prolonged bleaching caused widespread coral mortality and bleaching events are predicted to increase in intensity and frequency. The conservation and restoration of coral reefs are important because the anthropogenic value of coral reefs is significant. Coral reefs provide ecosystem services including fisheries, coastal protection, and tourism. Growing evidence indicates that the rate of climate change exceeds the adaptive potential of corals. Conventional restoration strategies use the native, natural coral stock, and are therefore becoming unsustainable. A new approach is assisted evolution: the acceleration of natural evolutionary processes to enhance desirable traits. In coral reef restoration, desirable traits are traits increasing tolerance against ocean warming and acidification. Targets to enhance stress tolerance are genetic, epigenetic, and microbiome evolutionary changes. This thesis explores whether assisted evolution is a viable strategy for coral reef restoration. Research on assisted evolution for coral reef restoration is still in an early phase, but initial findings show potential for transgenerational adaptation, selective/interspecific breeding, and endosymbiont evolution. However, certain risks and ethical

Item Type:	Thesis (Bachelor's Thesis)
Supervisor name:	Zee, J.P. van der
Degree programme:	Biology
Thesis type:	Bachelor's Thesis
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	29 Jun 2021 11:24
Last Modified:	29 Jun 2021 11:24
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/24754

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