THE SUITABILITY OF ACROPORA PALMATA AND ACROPORA CERVICORNIS NURSERIES IN SOUTH CAICOS, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

Despite covering less than one percent of the ocean, coral reefs support 25% of marine biodiversity. However, increasing sea surface temperatures threaten corals, often causing bleaching, a process in which corals lose their main energy source. In response to bleaching events in the Caribbean, coral nurseries have been established to revitalize Acropora populations in the Caribbean. The success of these Acropora restoration projects is influenced by nursery depth, density, design, and sea surface temperature. This study examines the suitability of four existing Acropora nursery sites in the Admiral Cockburn Land and Sea National Park, South Caicos, Turks and Caicos Islands, British West Indies. This ArcGIS Pro suitability analysis juxtaposes data on water depth, temperature, and structure type with the measured growth rates and survivorship of 197 Acropora palmata and Acropora cervicornis fragments over a four month period to determine the most suitable nursery location. ArcGIS mapping indicates that Spanish Chain, at 17 meters deep, is the most suitable nursery location. However, fragment survivorship and measured growth rates were highest at Dove Cay, the shallowest nursery site at 5 meters.