Coral reefs in the Philippines, a global biodiversity hotspot, face severe threats from climate change-induced marine heatwaves, necessitating innovative restoration approaches. This study introduces a novel, passive dynamic shading system aimed at reducing thermal stress on coral fragments by adaptively managing light exposure on MARRS (Modular Artificial Reef Restoration System) restoration structures. In a field experiment, coral fragments of Acropora sp. will be subjected to three treatments: dynamic and static shading of equivalent intensity, and an unshaded control. Coral health will be assessed using advanced geometric protocols for growth, standardized image analysis for coloration, and in situ respirometry to measure metabolic rates. It is hypothesized that shading will significantly enhance coral fragments' survival, growth, and physiological resilience compared to the unshaded control and that dynamic shading will outperform static shading while requiring less maintenance. The development of an effective, scalable dynamic shading system could provide a practical, cost-effective solution to bolster coral restoration efforts worldwide in the face of accelerating climate change.
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