Composition and distribution of scleractinian coral in the northwest of Hainan island
海南岛西北部海域珊瑚礁造礁石珊瑚种类组成与分布

The diversity and spatial distribution of Scleractinian corals in northwestern of Hainan island were investigated and there were 50 species of Scleractinian corals and one non-Scleratinia coral (Millepora sp.) were found. The results showed that the dominant Scleractinia corals are Porites lutea and Galaxea fascicularis, which has undergone significant changes over several years, in the coral reef of the Hainan island northwestern. With the impact of natural factors and human activities on coral reefs, the coverage of coral has rapidly decreased. The areas are located in the transition region of Beibu Gulf, Qiongzhou sea and South China sea, and might be the main channel for coral larve planula diffusion, which play a key role to the conservation and restoration of coral reefs in South China. Therefore, reasonable coordination marine fisheries and protection of environment were necessary for the conservation of the coral reef in the northwest of Hainan island.