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ASSIST: a smart-decision framework for coral restoration

  • Malaysia, Lang Tengah
  • Climate adaptation and resilience
  • Coral restoration

Credits: Khaichuin Sim

Facing a challenge

The global decline of coral reefs has increased the need for active restoration efforts to support the adaptive capacity of reef-building corals. However, the long-term effectiveness of these interventions in helping corals withstand climate change remains uncertain. In addition, many low- and middle-income countries face resource constraints, despite hosting a large share of the world’s most biodiverse coral reefs.
CHALLENGE_credits Khaichuin Sim

Credits: Khaichuin Sim

With an innovative solution

This project aims to develop a cost-effective framework to help restoration practitioners select resilient coral colonies as source material. By monitoring coral thermal tolerance and reproductive capacity (fecundity), the project seeks to maximise survival, growth, and ecological impact while minimising the removal of corals from natural reefs. To achieve this, the team will:
  • Identify and select resilient donor coral colonies by measuring thermal tolerance, fecundity, and analysing their symbiotic communities
  • Use selected corals in restoration and outplanting activities, and monitor their growth and survival
  • Document restoration costs and assess cost-effectiveness
  • Develop a smart decision-making framework to guide practitioners in selecting coral source material based on resilience traits and cost considerations
SOLUTION_credits Khaichuin Sim

Credits: Khaichuin Sim

What impact looks like

  • Open-access guidebook describing methods, resources, and software tools to support widespread use of the ASSIST framework
  • Enabling restoration practitioners to make informed decisions that improve coral survival and growth, increasing the effectiveness and return on investment of restoration efforts
  • Expansion of restoration activities, including the establishment of 33 new coral nurseries and the transplantation of nearly 4,000 corals

Project Title

A smart-decision framework for coral restoration (ASSIST) – harnessing resilience for restoration

Lead applicant

Sebastian Szereday

Co-applicants

Prof. Christian R. Voolstra, Dr. Joseph Henry

Countries involved

Malaysia, Germany, and United States of America

Takes place

Lang Tengah Island and Rawa Island (Malaysia), Gili Islands (Indonesia)

Supporting institutions

University of Konstanz, Coralku, Triton Society

Total budget

USD 507,400

Duration

September 2023 – December 2026

    • Screened over 2,000 corals for climate resilience
    • Established 70 coral nurseries—forming the largest system of its kind in Malaysia
    • Provided advanced scientific training to five Malaysian team members
    • Outplanted 9,191 bleaching-resistant corals across more than 70 species
    • Identified heat-tolerant coral genotypes for future restoration efforts
    • Published reports and preprints on coral resilience following bleaching events
  3. 2026

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