The Transformation of Lagoonal Nursery at La Cambuse, Mauritius, Into a Forethoughtful Coral Nursery

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ABSTRACT Coral reefs are experiencing rapid degradation driven by climate change and human‐induced pressures, highlighting the urgent need for active restoration. A lagoon‐based coral nursery was established at La Cambuse, Mauritius, where 671 coral fragments were deployed across 55 hexagonal ‘spider’ frames (three sets) and four elevated tables and observed over a 15‐month period. Set 2 frames showed the highest survivorship (77.3%), with Pocillopora sp. outperforming Acropora spp. in both thermal tolerance and growth rates (23.59 cm 2 year −1 vs. 12.84–16.49 cm 2 year −1 ). A coral bleaching event in March 2025 severely impacted Acropora spp., with up to 60% tissue loss, while Pocillopora spp. demonstrated strong resilience showing minimal pigment loss and 77.3% survivorship on Set 2 frames. Over 100 naturally recruited corals were observed, indicating favourable larval settlement conditions. Biodiversity assessments recorded 105 reef‐associated species, including 65 fish, 11 echinoderms and 14 macroalgae, with 10 species listed as conservation priorities. Biodiversity indices remained stable (Shannon–Wiener H ′ = 2.69–3.01; Pielou's J ′ = 0.81–0.88), and trophic structure analysis revealed a succession pattern, from herbivore dominance in early stages to increasing carnivores at following stages. Fishing line entanglements highlighted ongoing anthropogenic stress on the nursery reef. Overall, findings emphasise the species‐specific resilience and demonstrate the potential of adaptive coral nurseries as both restoration tools and biodiversity support systems in the face of accelerating climate change in the Western Indian Ocean. The result also put La Cambuse site as a ‘Forethoughtful Coral Nursery’, serving novel functions, beyond the traditional use of coral propagation for transplantation.

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