Rebuilding coral reefs: does active reef restoration lead to sustainable reefs?

- The degradation of coral reefs worldwide calls for novel restoration methodologies.
- The low-cost reef restoration (gardening tenet) is based on silviculture rationale.
- Mid-water nurseries successfully farmed 86 species and above 100 000 colonies.
- Novel transplantation methodologies have been recently developed.
- Transplanted and nursery farmed corals reveal ecological engineering aspects.