A study on coral reef restoration in the Caribbean has revealed that contrary to the expectations of some conservationists, manually transplanting coral fragments often disrupts the natural regrowth process and can lead to higher rates of coral bleaching. The study examined six reef zones, both transplanted and non-transplanted, all of which had experienced damage from a recent hurricane. Natural coral recruitment resulted in approximately 45 juvenile corals per square meter, surpassing the anticipated density from artificial planting efforts. However, the manual transplantation process dislodged 63 percent of the newly established juvenile corals, reducing the overall density to just 17 per square meter.
Additionally, the study found that transplanted corals showed a 40 percent higher likelihood of bleaching within the first year compared to naturally established coral. This was attributed to increased physical stress during the transplantation process, which exposed the coral to higher light intensity and disrupted symbiotic algae crucial for coral health. Efforts to anchor transplanted coral with artificial structures reduced immediate dislodgement but created localized shading, further limiting growth.
The researchers suggested that the most sustainable method for reef recovery might be to protect damaged areas from fishing and tourism, allowing natural recruitment to progress undisturbed. Over time, this approach could foster a more resilient coral population, with gradual regrowth better adapted to the local environment than manually transplanted coral fragments.
It can most reasonably be inferred that if the strategy described in the final paragraph of the passage were followed, which of the following would be true?
A. Coral reefs that are manually transplanted would eventually outgrow those left to recover naturally.
B. Coral reefs will regenerate at a slower rate than manual transplantation.
C. Coral bleaching is more likely to occur in reefs that are left undisturbed compared to those that undergo transplantation.
D. The need for artificial transplantation of coral fragments would be reduced.
E. Over time, manually transplanted coral fragments would be more resilient than naturally recruited coral.