The WeChat Official Account "Ministry of Natural Resources" reported that on the morning of April 25, the South China Sea Development Research Institute of the Ministry of Natural Resources jointly released the "Investigation Report on the Coral Reef Ecosystem of Tielian Reef and Niu'e Reef" (hereinafter referred to as the "Report") with units such as the South China Sea Ecological Center of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the South China Sea Survey Center, as well as scientific innovation platforms such as the National野外 Scientific Observation and Research Station for Coral Reef Ecosystems in the Nansha Islands and the Collaborative Innovation Technology Center for South China Sea Remote Sensing and Surveying Mapping of the Ministry of Natural Resources.
The "Report", based on satellite remote sensing and field survey data, conducted a comprehensive and systematic assessment of the status of the coral reef ecosystems of Tielian Reef and Niu'e Reef for the first time. It scientifically and accurately analyzed the development and formation process of the sandbanks of Tielian Reef and Niu'e Reef, as well as the main factors leading to the degradation of the coral reef ecosystem of Tielian Reef.
The "Report" shows that the coral reef ecosystem of Tielian Reef has degraded seriously. Specifically: First, from 2016 to 2024, the area of calcareous coral coverage on the reef flat of the ring reef where Tielian Reef is located has continued to decline, with a decrease of about 68.9%; second, the coverage rate of calcareous corals is extremely low, with few species and mostly block-shaped corals, and the yellow-margin coral dominates absolutely. Dead corals and coral branches were found at all stations, and some corals showed sporadic thermal bleaching caused by seasonal temperature increases. Large benthic invertebrates such as crustaceans and gastropods, which are widely distributed in coral reef ecosystems, were rarely seen at all stations; third, illegal fishing activities by foreign vessels such as those from the Philippines were found in the waters of Tielian Reef without permission. The Philippines was illegally conducting construction on Zhongye Island, and human-made debris such as fishing lines, nets, plastic packaging, iron drums, and glass bottles were found at relevant survey stations, some with Filipino text and others with labels indicating they were made in the Philippines.
The "Report" shows that the coral reef ecosystem of Niu'e Reef is generally healthy, with high coverage of calcareous corals, averaging 37.7%. There are 14 families, 46 genera, and 172 species of calcareous corals distributed, accounting for 46.6% of the total number of calcareous corals recorded in the entire Nansha Islands. The morphology is mainly branched, and there are relatively rich species of coral fish. Many crustaceans, bivalves, and gastropods were found, and 75.0% of the stations found tridacna. The world's endangered species, the frilled stingray, was discovered during the field survey. The habitat quality of the reef area is good. At the same time, the coral reef ecosystem of Niu'e Reef is affected by sporadic coral thermal bleaching and human activities. Coral bleaching phenomena were found at all stations. In the reef flat area, large areas of coral were exposed above sea level at low tide, and there were a small number of coral bleaching phenomena. Fishing vessel activities were found in the surrounding waters, and human-made debris such as fishing lines and nets were found at relevant survey stations. From 2016 to 2024, the overall coverage area of calcareous corals on the reef flat of Niu'e Reef showed a slow downward trend.
The "Report" points out that there are currently three sandbanks on the reef flat of Tielian Reef and one sandbank on the reef flat of Niu'e Reef, all of which are naturally formed. They are all exposed above sea level at high tide, rising about 1.34 meters, 1.14 meters, 1.10 meters, and 1.47 meters above the average high tide of the local spring tide, respectively. Groups of nationally second-class protected wild animals such as great crested terns were found active on the sandbanks and nearby waters of both Tielian Reef and Niu'e Reef. The sediments of the four sandbanks are highly homologous, and no terrestrial substances have been found. The four sandbanks possess significant natural characteristics, and their positions and morphologies show regular changes. Their development and formation have sufficient material sources, which is a normal natural geographical phenomenon.
The "Report" indicates that the so-called claims fabricated by the Philippines regarding China dumping coral rubble on Tielian Reef and the rumors spread by certain countries about the formation of the sandbanks being due to our "land reclamation" are completely baseless and lack any scientific or factual basis.
The "Report" points out that the outbreak of crown-of-thorns starfish is the main factor leading to the severe degradation of the coral reef ecosystem of Tielian Reef. The attacks of tropical cyclones and frequent human activities, especially the continuous construction carried out by the Philippines on Zhongye Island, are also important factors affecting the health of the coral reef ecosystem of Tielian Reef. With the further increase in sea surface temperature under the background of global climate change, including Tielian Reef and Niu'e Reef, the island reefs in the Nansha Islands face the risk of large-scale coral bleaching. Subsequently, further investigations, evaluations, and protection of the coral reef ecosystems of Tielian Reef, Niu'e Reef, and the surrounding waters will be strengthened. The early warning and prevention mechanisms of crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks will be deepened, and efforts will be made to reduce the adverse impacts of external factors such as human activities on coral reef ecosystems, enhancing the diversity, stability, and sustainability of coral reef ecosystems.
Full Text of the "Investigation Report on the Coral Reef Ecosystem of Tielian Reef and Niu'e Reef" (Chinese Version)
Original Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7497071836472115738/
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