Identification of coral spawn source areas around Sekisei Lagoon for recovery and poleward habitat migration by using a particle-tracking model

Takeda, Naoya*; Kashima, Motohiko*; Odani, Sachika*; Uchiyama, Yusuke*; Kamidaira, Yuki   ; Mitarai, Satoshi*

A massive coral bleaching event occurred in 2016 in the interior of Japan's largest coral lagoon, the Sekisei Lagoon, located in the Kuroshio upstream region in southwestern Japan. Recovery of the coral lagoon will require the influx of coral spawn and larvae; therefore, it is important to identify and conserve source sites. A surface particle tracking simulation of coral spawn and larvae was used to identify source areas in the exterior Sekisei Lagoon for restoration of the interior lagoon. The northern coastal zone of Iriomote Island, including Hatoma Island, was identified as a major source area. Hatoma Island was also identified as a key source for the Kuroshio downstream region, making it one of the most important source areas in the Nansei Archipelago.