A modular coral propagation and transplantation assembly and method

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of massive coral breeding and transplanting combined device and method, it is related to artificial coral reef technical field, including: base plate, with through hole and supporting surface;Fixing piece, with several mounting holes and connecting hole;Massive coral, with round hole;Connecting piece, with protruding part, protruding part passes through round hole and is fixed or compacted on base plate on massive coral, and extend to connecting hole, to fix base plate on one side or two sides of fixing piece.The application adopts modular design, each component can be flexibly combined to improve work efficiency, facilitate large-scale carrying, transportation and production.The application can effectively improve the work efficiency of underwater diver, and improve the survival rate of coral transplantation and transportation of different places.In addition, the application overcomes the problem that traditional transplantation method cannot transplant massive coral varieties, greatly increases the genetic diversity of coral restoration.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of artificial coral reef technology, specifically to a combined device and method for the propagation and transplantation of block corals. Background Technology

[0002] Coral reefs cover only 0.2% of the seabed globally, yet they support the survival of over 25% of marine life. However, threatened by multiple factors such as climate change, ocean acidification, land pollution, and human activities (e.g., overfishing, port construction), coral reef ecosystems are facing severe degradation, with coral populations declining sharply. Against this backdrop, coral transplantation and restoration technology has become a crucial means of restoring marine ecosystems, and its performance directly impacts restoration outcomes. Currently, traditional coral restoration techniques, such as existing fixation methods (e.g., adhesive bonding, binding, or simple nailing), rely on prolonged underwater operations by divers, resulting in low survival rates, high maintenance costs, and low biodiversity. With the large-scale advancement of marine ecological restoration projects, higher demands are being placed on the diversity, high survival rates, and environmental adaptability of coral transplantation.

[0003] Therefore, this application proposes a combined apparatus and method for the propagation and transplantation of block corals. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of the aforementioned technologies by proposing a combined device and method for the propagation and transplantation of block corals. This invention aims to solve the problems of the aforementioned coral restoration technologies, which rely on long-term underwater operations by divers, resulting in low survival rates, high maintenance costs, and low biodiversity during transplantation.

[0005] This invention provides a combined device for the propagation and transplantation of block corals, comprising: The base has through holes and a support surface; The fastener has several mounting holes and connection holes; Blocky coral with round pores; The connector has a protrusion that passes through a round hole to secure or press the coral block onto the base and extends to the connecting hole to secure the base to one, two, or more sides of the connector.

[0006] Preferably, the connector is a screw, and the through hole and the connecting hole are provided with internal threads. The through hole and the connecting hole with the internal thread structure can connect and fix the connector to it.

[0007] Preferably, the connector includes a connecting sleeve with an internal threaded hole and an external thread, and a stepped screw with a connecting screw rod one and a connecting screw rod two. The connecting sleeve is threaded to the through hole and the connecting hole through the external thread, the stepped screw is threaded to the through hole through the connecting screw rod one, and the stepped screw is threaded to the internal threaded hole through the connecting screw rod two, so as to fix the base to both sides of the fixing component.

[0008] Preferably, mounting holes are located on both sides of the fastener, and the mounting holes are provided with internal threads, which allow the bolts to be fixed in the mounting holes.

[0009] Preferably, the device also includes a nursery frame, which is fixed to the seabed. The fasteners are bolted to the longitudinal beams of the nursery frame via mounting holes on both sides. The nursery frame also has multiple insert rods. It also includes gaskets, with connectors threaded through the gaskets and into through-holes. The diameter of the gaskets is larger than that of the round holes.

[0010] Preferably, the base is a disc structure or a rectangular structure, the supporting surface is a frosted surface, and the supporting surface is coated with adhesive for connecting the block corals. The adhesive is a coral-specific adhesive.

[0011] This invention also discloses a method for the propagation and transplantation of block corals, comprising the following steps: S1: Drill a hole in the center of the base to form a through hole with an internal thread structure. Break the coral into 2.5-3.5cm sheet-like structures and drill a hole in the center of the coral to form a round hole. Use a connector to thread it through the round hole and the through hole to connect the coral to the base. S2: Connect the connector attached to the base to the connection hole to fix the base to the fastener; S3: The fixing parts with the base and the block coral are connected to the nursery frame on the seabed by bolts and arranged on the upper surface of the nursery frame in a horizontally spaced and staggered manner. S4: Fix the block coral to the coral nursery rack for a period of time. After it survives and begins to recover and grow, remove the fixing piece and the block coral from the nursery rack, and fix the fixing piece to the coral reef with steel nails.

[0012] Specifically, the drilled coral blocks are fixed to the support surface of the base with adhesive to secure the coral blocks to the base and provide a breeding platform for the base.

[0013] Compared with existing technologies, it has the following beneficial effects: This invention employs a modular design, allowing for flexible combination of components to improve operational efficiency and facilitate large-scale transport and production. Furthermore, it effectively enhances the efficiency of underwater divers and increases the survival rate of transplanted corals to new locations. In addition, this invention overcomes the limitation of traditional transplantation methods that cannot transplant blocky coral species, significantly increasing the genetic diversity of coral restoration and possessing profound ecological significance. Attached Figure Description

[0014] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only preferred embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the block coral breeding and transplantation combination device of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the base and fixing element of the present invention; Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the block coral breeding and transplantation combination device of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the block coral being fixed on the seabed nursery frame according to the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the connector of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the connector of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing the positioning of the base and the fixing element of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the connectors for the rectangular frame structure of the present invention; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the connector of the rhomboid frame structure of the present invention; Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the connector of the polygonal frame structure of the present invention; Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the connector with a double-sided porous structure according to the present invention; Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the vertical installation of the connector with a double-sided porous structure according to the present invention.

[0016] In the diagram, 1-base; 11-through hole; 12-support surface; 2-Fixed component; 21-Mounting hole; 22-Connecting hole; 3- Massive coral; 31- Round hole; 4-Connector; 41-Connecting screw sleeve; 411-Internal threaded hole; 42-Stepped screw; 421-Connecting screw one; 422-Connecting screw two; 5-Nursery rack; 6-Gasket. Detailed Implementation

[0017] To better understand the structure, functional features, and advantages of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings: Example: like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the present invention provides a combined device for the propagation and transplantation of block corals, comprising: Base 1 has a through hole 11 and a support surface 12; The fastener 2 has several mounting holes 21 and connecting holes 22; Blocky coral 3, with round pores 31; The connector 4 has a protrusion that passes through the round hole 31 to fix or press the block coral 3 onto the base 1 and extends to the connecting hole 22 to fix the base 1 onto one, two or more surfaces of the fastener 2. The connector 4 has at least two surfaces.

[0018] See Figure 2 Mounting holes 21 are provided on both sides of the fixing member 2. The mounting holes 21 are provided with internal threads so that the fixing member 2 can be connected to the bolt through the internal threads and then connected to the seabed breeding rack through the bolt.

[0019] See Figures 1 to 3 The base 1 is a disc structure or a rectangular structure, and the support surface 12 is a frosted surface. Adhesive for connecting the block coral 3 is applied to the support surface 12 so that the block coral 3 can be glued to the support surface 12.

[0020] The base 1 of this invention is made of cast iron coated with stainless steel. The base 1 has a diameter and thickness of 30mm × 2mm, a central through-hole 11 with a diameter of 6.5mm, and smooth surfaces on all four sides to reduce ocean current erosion. The central through-hole 11 of the base 1 has the same diameter as the connecting hole 22 of the fixing member 2. The base 1 can be disassembled and connected to the fixing member 2 via a connector 4. The fixing member 2 has a length and thickness of 77.5mm × 5.5mm and has multiple mounting holes 21 and connecting holes 22 drilled on it. The central connecting hole 22 has a diameter of 5.2mm. The connecting holes 22 on the fixing member 2 can be used to fix the block coral 3 and the base 1, while the remaining mounting holes 21 can be used to fix it to the coral reef with steel nails. This invention effectively increases the efficiency of underwater coral transplantation for divers and improves the survival rate of corals.

[0021] The fixing component 2 of the present invention can quickly plant block corals 3 on the base 1 onto the coral reef with a high survival rate, solving the problem that block corals 3 are difficult to transplant onto the coral reef.

[0022] The perforated disc structure iron base 1 and the special adhesive for fixing block corals 3 of this invention can fix various irregular block corals 3, and are also convenient for placing on breeding racks for large-scale breeding. At the same time, the fixing and stabilization of the connector 4 makes the block corals 3 highly resistant to wind and waves and less prone to falling off.

[0023] Example 2: As another embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 4 As shown, the underwater propagation frame is a nursery frame 5, which is fixed to the seabed by cuttings. The fixing members 2 are bolted to the longitudinal beams of the nursery frame 5 through mounting holes 21 on both sides. Specifically, multiple longitudinal beams are evenly distributed on the nursery frame 5, and multiple openings for connecting the fixing members 2 are evenly distributed along the axial direction on the longitudinal beams. Insert rods are provided on all four sides of the nursery frame 5, which are inserted into the seabed to fix the nursery frame 5. Furthermore, the nursery frame 5 can be a multi-layered structure, providing the fixing members 2 with more propagation space and area.

[0024] See Figure 3 The invention also includes a gasket 6, and a connector 4 passes through the gasket 6 and is threaded into the through hole 11 to fix the block coral 3 to the base 1 without detachment.

[0025] See Figure 7 In this embodiment, the base 1 is provided with limiting protrusions on both sides, and the fixing member 2 is provided with limiting holes on both sides of the connecting hole 22. The base 1 is inserted into the limiting protrusions and limiting holes to limit the base 1 on the fixing member 2, and the through hole 11 is aligned with the connecting hole 22 so that the base 1 can be quickly installed on the fixing member 2 through the connecting member 4.

[0026] Example 3: As another embodiment of the present invention, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the connector 4 of this invention is a screw. Internal threads are provided in the through hole 11 and the connecting hole 22. The screw fixes the block coral 3 to the base 1 by threading into the through hole 11, and then fixes the base 1 to the fixing member 2 by threading into the connecting hole 22. In this embodiment, the screw can be replaced by a bolt. The bolt passing through the fixing member 2 is connected to a nut to improve the stability of the base 1 and the block coral 3 fixed to the fixing member 2.

[0027] In this embodiment, screws are used to fix the single-sided block coral 3 of the fastener 2. The screws can be installed on the upper side of the fastener 2 or on the lower side of the fastener 2.

[0028] Example 4: As another embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the connector 4 of the present invention includes a connecting screw sleeve 41 with an internal threaded hole 411 and an external thread, and a stepped screw 42 with a connecting screw 1 421 and a connecting screw 2 422. The diameter of the connecting screw 1 421 is larger than the diameter of the connecting screw 2 422, so that the stepped screw 42 composed of the connecting screw 1 421 and the connecting screw 2 422 is distributed in a stepped structure along the axial direction.

[0029] Specifically, the connecting screw sleeve 41 of the present invention is threadedly connected to the through hole 11 and the connecting hole 22 through the external thread, the stepped screw 42 is threadedly connected to the through hole 11 through the connecting screw one 421, and the stepped screw 42 is threadedly connected to the internal thread hole 411 through the connecting screw two 422, so as to fix the base 1 to the upper and lower sides of the fixing member 2. In this embodiment, the first connecting screw 421 of the stepped screw 42 fixes the block coral 3 located below the fixing member 2 to the base 1. The connecting screw sleeve 41 fixes the block coral 3 located above the fixing member 2 to the base 1 through the external thread and the through hole 11. The connecting screw sleeve 41 fixes the base 1 to the upper side of the fixing member 2 through the connection hole 22. The second connecting screw 422 of the stepped screw 42 fixes the base 1 to the lower side of the fixing member 2 through the connection hole 411 of the connecting screw sleeve 41, so as to realize the double-sided installation of block coral 3 on the upper and lower sides of the fixing member 2, effectively improving the breeding area and breeding efficiency of coral.

[0030] Example 5: As another embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 8 As shown, the fixing member 2 of the present invention includes an upper fixing plate and a lower fixing plate. The upper fixing plate is connected to the lower fixing plate through a connecting plate so that the fixing member 2 forms a rectangular frame structure. Mounting plates are provided in the middle of both sides of the rectangular frame. Mounting holes 21 are provided on the mounting plates, and connecting holes 22 are provided on the upper fixing plate and the lower fixing plate to provide multi-layer installation of the upper and lower sides of the block coral 3. One fixing member 2 with a rectangular frame structure can provide installation and propagation of 2-4 pieces of block coral 3.

[0031] This embodiment provides the upper and lower sides of the block coral 3 by setting the fixing component 2 of the rectangular frame structure, which effectively increases the breeding space and breeding area of ​​the coral. At the same time, it can also make the block coral 3 installed at the upper and lower sides vertically distributed at a certain interval, so that it can make full use of the seabed space for breeding.

[0032] Example 6: As another embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 9 As shown, the fastener 2 of the present invention includes a V-shaped piece one and a V-shaped piece two. The two ends of the V-shaped piece one are connected to the two ends of the V-shaped piece two to form a rhomboid frame structure, so that the fastener 2 of the present invention provides more flat surfaces for mounting the block coral 3.

[0033] Specifically, mounting plates are provided in the middle of V-shaped plate one and V-shaped plate two, mounting holes 21 are provided on the mounting plates, and connecting holes 22 are provided on the upper and lower inclined planes of V-shaped plate one and V-shaped plate two, so as to provide more mounting plate surfaces for mounting block corals 3. The number of block corals 3 installed is 2-8 pieces.

[0034] Example 7: As another embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 10As shown, the fastener 2 of the present invention includes multiple V-shaped pieces, with both ends of the V-shaped pieces connected to the upper and lower plates respectively to form a polygonal frame structure. The number of V-shaped pieces is 3 to 5. Mounting pieces are provided on both sides of the polygonal frame structure, mounting holes 21 are provided on the mounting pieces, and connecting holes 22 are provided on the upper and lower inclined planes of the V-shaped pieces, as well as on the upper and lower plates, so that the fastener 2 of the polygonal frame structure can install 8-22 pieces of block coral 3, thereby further improving the coral breeding area and breeding efficiency.

[0035] Example 8: As another embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 11 As shown, the fixing member 2 of the present invention has a double-sided multi-hole structure, that is, the fixing member 2 has multiple connecting holes 22 in the length direction and several mounting holes 21 on both sides, so that the block coral 3 can be installed in multiple ways along the length direction of the fixing piece and installed on the nursery frame 5 through the mounting holes 21 on both sides of the fixing member 2.

[0036] Further, see Figure 12 The fastener 2 can be installed vertically to accommodate multi-layered nursery racks 5. Specifically, the length of the fastener 2 is used to install block corals 3, with the block corals 3 vertically spaced on the fastener 2. The mounting plates on both sides of the fastener 2 are connected to each layer of the longitudinal beams on the nursery rack 5 by screws or bolts to achieve the vertical installation of the fastener 2, allowing the block corals 3 to be distributed vertically in different layers on the seabed of the nursery rack 5. Furthermore, the number of mounting plates can be set according to the number of layers of the nursery rack 5, and the mounting holes 21 on them are vertically aligned with the openings on the longitudinal beams of the nursery rack 5.

[0037] See Figures 1 to 7 The present invention also discloses a method for the propagation and transplantation of block corals, comprising the following steps: S1: Drill a hole in the center of the base 1 to form a through hole 11 with an internal thread structure. Use a crushing tool or equipment to crush the block coral 3 into uniform sheet-like structures of 2.5-3.5cm. Drill a hole in the center of the block coral 3 to form a round hole 31. Use a connector 4 to thread it through the round hole 31 and the through hole 11 to connect the block coral 3 to the base 1. S2: Connect the connector 4 connected to the base 1 to the connection hole 22 to fix the base 1 to the fixing member 2, so as to install the block coral 3 on the fixing member 2; S3: The fixing piece 2, which has the base 1 and the block coral 3, is connected to the nursery frame 5 on the seabed by bolts and is arranged on the upper surface of the nursery frame 5 in a horizontally spaced and staggered manner. S4: After the coral has been propagated on the coral nursery rack 5 for a period of time and has begun to survive and resume growth, remove the fixing piece 2 and the block coral 3 from the nursery rack 5, and fix the fixing piece 2 to the coral reef with steel nails. After propagating on the nursery rack 5 for 2-3 months, remove the fixing piece 2 and the block coral 3 and transplant them to the coral reef. Select a suitable coral reef, and then use steel nails to fix it to the coral reef through the fixing piece 2. After a period of time, the transplanted coral will grow into one with the coral reef.

[0038] Specifically, the drilled block coral 3 is fixed to the support surface 12 of the base 1 with adhesive.

[0039] This invention, employing the aforementioned steps, propagated 200 individuals each of *Favites magnistellata* and *Goniastrea edwardsi* on coral nursery racks 5. After three months, the survival rates were 89% and 90%, respectively. The propagated corals were then secured to the coral reef using fasteners 2 and steel nails, with 160 individuals of each species planted. After three months, the stability and survival rates were assessed at 85% and 93%, respectively. This method overcomes the limitations of traditional transplantation methods that cannot transplant blocky coral species, significantly increasing the genetic diversity of coral restoration and possessing immense ecological significance.

[0040] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Any person skilled in the art can make many possible variations and modifications to the technical solutions of the present invention, or modify them into equivalent embodiments, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, any modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technology of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention are within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A combined device for the propagation and transplantation of block corals, characterized in that... ,include: The base (1) has a through hole (11) and a support surface (12). The fastener (2) has several mounting holes (21) and connecting holes (22); Blocky coral (3) with round pores (31); The connector (4) has a protrusion that passes through the round hole (31) to fix or press the block coral (3) onto the base (1) and extends to the connecting hole (22) to fix the base (1) onto the multiple surfaces of the fastener (2); The connector (4) includes a connecting sleeve (41) with an internal threaded hole (411) and an external thread, and a stepped screw (42) with a connecting screw one (421) and a connecting screw two (422). The connecting screw one (421) of the stepped screw (42) fixes the block coral (3) located below the fixing member (2) to the base (1). The connecting sleeve (41) is connected to the through hole (11) by the external thread to fix the block coral (3) located below the fixing member (2) to the base (1). The block coral (3) above is fixed on the base (1). The connecting screw sleeve (41) is connected to the connecting hole (22) to fix the base (1) to the upper side of the fixing member (2). The connecting screw second (422) of the stepped screw (42) is connected to the internal thread hole (411) of the connecting screw sleeve (41) to fix the base (1) to the lower side of the fixing member (2), so as to realize the double-sided installation of the block coral (3) on the upper and lower sides of the fixing member (2).

2. The combined apparatus for propagating and transplanting block corals according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting holes (21) are located on both sides of the fixing member (2), and the mounting holes (21) are provided with internal threads.

3. The combined apparatus for propagating and transplanting block corals according to claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a nursery frame (5), which is fixed to the seabed, and the fastener (2) is bolted to the longitudinal beam of the nursery frame (5) through the mounting holes (21) on both sides.

4. The combined apparatus for propagating and transplanting block corals according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base (1) is a disc structure or a rectangular structure, and the supporting surface (12) is a frosted surface.

5. The combined apparatus for propagating and transplanting block corals according to claim 4, characterized in that, The supporting surface (12) is coated with adhesive for connecting the block coral (3).

6. The combined apparatus for propagating and transplanting block corals according to claim 5, characterized in that, It also includes a gasket (6), through which the connector (4) is threaded to the through hole (11).

7. A method for propagating and transplanting block corals, using the block coral propagation and transplantation assembly described in claim 3, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1: Drill a hole in the middle of the base (1) to form a through hole (11) with an internal thread structure. Break the block coral (3) into sheet-like structures of 2.5-3.5cm and drill a hole in the middle to form a round hole (31). Use a connector (4) to thread it through the round hole (31) and the through hole (11) to connect the block coral (3) to the base (1). S2: Connect the connector (4) attached to the base (1) to the connecting hole (22) to fix the base (1) to the fastener (2); S3: The fixing piece (2) with the base (1) and the block coral (3) is connected to the nursery frame (5) on the seabed by bolts and arranged on the upper surface of the nursery frame (5) in a horizontally spaced and staggered manner. S4: Fix the block coral (3) to the coral nursery frame (5) for a period of time. After it survives and begins to recover and grow, remove the fixing piece (2) and the block coral (3) from the nursery frame (5) and fix the fixing piece (2) to the coral reef with steel nails.

8. The method for propagating and transplanting block corals according to claim 7, characterized in that, After drilling, the block coral (3) is fixed to the support surface (12) of the base (1) with adhesive.

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