Investigating the Status Quo of Hermatypic Corals Resources and Its Protection in Dongshan Water Areas, Fujian Province
福建东山造礁石珊瑚资源现状及其保护

Hermatypic corals are the primary portion of the coral reef ecosystem and of great ecological value. There are plentiful hermatypic corals in Dongshan water areas of Fujian Province. Due to low water temperature in winter, hermatypic corals there seem difficult to build real coral reefs. To protect hermatypic corals near the Dongshan Island, the Dongshan provincial hermatypic corals nature reserve was established in 1997, covering an area of 3630 hm2 with the core area of 1498 hm2. Through two large-scale surveys conducted in 1995-1997 and 2007, it was found that there were 32 species of Anthozoa in the Dongshan water areas, pertaining to 13 families of 3 orders, ten species of which belong to 6 families in Scleratinia. Seven hermatypic coral species of the 10 species are state-level protected animals II and listed in CITES Appendices II, including Favia speciosa, Cyphastrea serailia, Turbinaria peltata, Acropora pruinosa, Porites lutea, Leptastrea sp. and Goniopora sp. In 2007, it was reported that there were also hermatypic corals in Nanji island water areas in Zhejiang Province. Nanji islands are far from the mainland, showing a special ocean current and environments. The species are unique in originating from a range of climatic zones, e.g., the tropical zone, subtropical zone, and temperate zone. Furthermore, there seems to be a few published studies and reports about the species, quantity, and distribution of hermatypic corals there. We suggest that the Dongshan water areas are the north edge of the hermatypic coral community distribution in subtropical coastal waters of mainland China. In the stereoscopic habitat formed by corals in the Dongshan water areas, 154 associate species were found in coral communities, which show relatively high species diversity. They live in coral reefs in a variety of ways. Both of the two comprehensive investigations were carried out in the extent of the Dongshan provincial hermatypic corals nature reserve, but there were also hermatypic corals outside the nature reserve. If the investigations were expanded to the entire Dongshan water areas, it would be more helpful for obtaining a clearer picture of the coral biodiversity. The status quo of resources, biogeography distribution, as well as biological significance of hermatypic corals in the Dongshan water area were discussed. Threats to hermatypic corals, like irrational development activities, global climate change, and alien species invasion were comprehensively analyzed. Some ecosystem-based protection and management suggestions were given, including 1) strengthening public awareness and education, 2) enhancing supervision, 3) transforming the mode of economic growth, and 4) strengthening scientific research.