In colony-based data collection, what does fate tracking involve?

Fate tracking in colony-based data collection specifically involves tagging outplanted colonies of corals to monitor their health and survival over time. By tagging the corals, researchers can easily identify individual colonies and track their growth, mortality, and any responses to environmental changes or restoration efforts. This process allows scientists to gather critical data about the success of coral restoration initiatives and helps inform future conservation strategies.

Other options, while related to coral research, do not encompass the specific practice of fate tracking. Monitoring coral temperature is crucial for understanding thermal stress but is not focused on individual colony monitoring. Assessing reef landscape changes involves broader ecological assessments rather than tracking specific colonies. Recording diver observations provides valuable qualitative data but lacks the precision and tracking aspect that tagging offers. Therefore, tagging outplanted colonies is the distinctive action that characterizes fate tracking within this context.