Coral restoration can drive rapid reef carbonate
budget recovery

Authors
Ines D. Lange, Tries B. Razak,
Chris T. Perry, Permas B. Maulana,
Mochyudho E. Prasetya, Irwan,
Timothy AC. Lamont
Correspondence
i.lange@exeter.ac.uk
In brief
Lange et al. demonstrate that coral reef
restoration can recover important
ecosystem functions such as reef
carbonate production, structural
complexity, and vertical reef accretion
potential within 4 years. However, coral
communities at restoration sites differ
from healthy reefs due to preferential use
of branching corals for transplantation.

Highlights
d Reef restoration drives rapid recovery of coral cover and
carbonate production
d Net carbonate budgets at restoration sites resemble healthy
reefs within 4 years
d Reef structure recovery is important for vertical reef growth
and habitat provision
d Coral community composition differs due to preferential use
of branching corals