Yeung, Chung Wing. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 143-156). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Acknowledgements --- p.i / Abstract (English) --- p.iii / Abstract (Chinese) --- p.vi / Contents --- p.vii / List of Tables --- p.xii / List of Figures --- p.xii / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- Ecological and economic importance of coral reef habitats --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- D egradation of coral reefs --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Natural recovery --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Restoration of disturbed reefs --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2.2.1 --- Whole colony transplantation --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2.2.2 --- Fragment transplantation --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2.2.3 --- Coral nursery --- p.5 / Chapter 1.3 --- Studies on octocorals --- p.6 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Functional ecology of octocorals --- p.7 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Biodiversity of octocorals in Hong Kong --- p.9 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Threats on octocorals in Hong Kong --- p.10 / Chapter 1.4 --- The focus and significance of the present study --- p.12 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- "Lobophytum sarcophytoides, the study organism" --- p.14 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- Objectives --- p.15 / Chapter 1.5 --- Thesis Outline --- p.16 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Seasonal Variation and Size-dependent Eco-physiological Performances of the Soft Coral Lobophytum sarcophytoides / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.19 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Damage recovery --- p.20 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Photosynthetic activity --- p.21 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Reproductive biology --- p.22 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Growth rate --- p.23 / Chapter 2.1.5 --- Significance and objectives --- p.23 / Chapter 2.2 --- Study Sites --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Lan Guo Shui (LGS) --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Tolo Harbour (MSL) --- p.25 / Chapter 2.3 --- Methodologies --- p.27 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Sample collection --- p.27 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Treatment of samples --- p.27 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Health condition --- p.28 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Damage recovery --- p.29 / Chapter 2.3.5 --- Growth rate --- p.29 / Chapter 2.3.6 --- Photosynthetic activity --- p.30 / Chapter 2.3.7 --- Reproductive biology --- p.30 / Chapter 2.3.8 --- Statistical Analysis --- p.31 / Chapter 2.4 --- Results --- p.32 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Acclimation of transplanted corals --- p.32 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Health condition --- p.33 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Growth rate --- p.34 / Chapter 2.4.4 --- Photosynthetic activity --- p.38 / Chapter 2.4.5 --- Damage recovery --- p.39 / Chapter 2.4.6 --- Reproductive biology --- p.40 / Chapter 2.5 --- Discussion --- p.41 / Chapter 2.5.1 --- Diurnal expansion and contraction of colonies --- p.41 / Chapter 2.5.2 --- Size fluctuation of the colonies --- p.42 / Chapter 2.5.3 --- Possible factors for the high initial mortality of corals --- p.43 / Chapter 2.5.4 --- Causes of bleaching and the harmful effects --- p.44 / Chapter 2.5.5 --- Energy allocation between reproduction and growth --- p.47 / Chapter 2.5.6 --- Quick healing of cut fragments and its ecological implication --- p.48 / Chapter 2.5.7 --- Choice of suitable fragment size for nursery use --- p.49 / Chapter 2.5.8 --- Suitable season for conducting the experiment --- p.50 / Chapter 2.6 --- Summary --- p.51 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Effects of Temperature on the Health Condition and Photosytnthetic Activity of the Soft Coral Lobophytum sarcophytoides / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.69 / Chapter 3.2 --- Methodologies --- p.73 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Sample collection --- p.73 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Experimental set-up of aquaria for growing corals --- p.73 / Chapter 3.2.2.1 --- Temperature experiment I --- p.74 / Chapter 3.2.2.2 --- Temperature experiment II --- p.74 / Chapter 3.2.2.3 --- Temperature experiment III --- p.76 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Health condition --- p.76 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Photosynthetic activity --- p.77 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Statistical analysis --- p.78 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results --- p.79 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Temperature experiment I --- p.79 / Chapter 3.3.1.1 --- Health condition --- p.79 / Chapter 3.3.1.2 --- Photosynthetic activity --- p.80 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Temperature experiment IIA --- p.81 / Chapter 3.3.2.1 --- Health condition --- p.81 / Chapter 3.3.2.2 --- Photosynthetic activity --- p.83 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Temperature experiment IIB --- p.84 / Chapter 3.3.3.1 --- Health condition --- p.84 / Chapter 3.3.3.2 --- Photosynthetic activity --- p.85 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Temperature experiment III --- p.85 / Chapter 3.3.4.1 --- Health condition --- p.85 / Chapter 3.3.4.2 --- Photosynthetic activity --- p.86 / Chapter 3.4 --- Discussion --- p.87 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- The effect of acclimation --- p.87 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Temperature tolerance range of L. sarcophytoides --- p.90 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Indicators of coral health --- p.92 / Chapter 3.4.3.1 --- Photosynthetic activity --- p.92 / Chapter 3.4.3.2 --- Colony contraction --- p.94 / Chapter 3.4.3.3 --- Bleaching --- p.95 / Chapter 3.4.3.4 --- Algal overgrowth --- p.97 / Chapter 3.4.3.5 --- Attachment of transplanted corals --- p.99 / Chapter 3.5 --- Summary --- p.100 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Reproductive Biology of Lobophytum sarcophytoides / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.114 / Chapter 4.2 --- Methodologies --- p.117 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Study site --- p.117 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Sample collection and treatments --- p.117 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results --- p.119 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Gametogenic development: Size changes --- p.119 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Gametogenic development: Developmental stages --- p.120 / Chapter 4.3.2.1 --- Oogenesis --- p.120 / Chapter 4.3.2.2 --- Spermatogenesis --- p.121 / Chapter 4.4 --- Discussion --- p.122 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Unusual oogenic development pattern in L sarcophytoides --- p.122 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Possible effect of lack of a temperature cue on gametogenic development --- p.123 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- Alternative explanation: Energy allocation --- p.126 / Chapter 4.5 --- Summary --- p.128 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Summary and Perspectives --- p.137 / References --- p.143