Acropora cervicornis Data Coordination Hub (AcDC), an open-access tool for aligning datasets and evaluating genet-specific performance

Chronic declines in coral cover across the Florida Reef Tract and the Caribbean have spurred widespread propagation efforts for threatened coral species that once blanketed western Atlantic reefs. Studies on these corals reveal remarkable differences in growth rates and stress responses among genetically distinct individuals (genets) within the same species, indicating the potential for customizing restoration stock to meet specific goals. However, most of these studies have been limited to a small number of genets and constrained spatial and temporal scales, precluding comprehensive comparisons of genet performance. To address this, we developed the Acropora cervicornis Data Coordination Hub (AcDC), a web-based database and interface that compiles and standardizes extensive genet-specific performance data. AcDC facilitates users to generate custom reports that show where a particular genet ranks within nursery stock and create tailored lists of genets best suited for specific restoration objectives. Our approach includes transparent data standardization, full metadata integration, and raw data availability, promoting both consistency and data stewardship. Currently, AcDC includes data on 220 genotypes from three species across 30 performance metrics, contributed by over 30 collaborators. Among these, 89 (38%) genotypes are shared in more than one study, and 25 (10%) are shared in four or more studies. Our standardized assessment has highlighted genets with consistently high growth rates and bleaching resistance, while also revealing phenotypic tradeoffs. As propagation and outplanting efforts expand, the coordination and assessment of stock performance must scale in tandem. AcDC supports the restoration community by aligning disparate datasets and helping practitioners make informed restoration choices.