The South China Sea Development Research Institute under the Ministry of Natural Resources on Friday has actually launched a survey report on the coral reef environments of Tiexian Jiao and Niue Jiao.Based on satellite remote picking up and field examination data, the report provides, for the first time, a detailed and organized evaluation of the coral reef ecosystems of Tiexian Jiao and Niue Jiao.
It supplies scientific and precise analysis of the development procedures of the shoals in these areas and recognizes the primary elements adding to the destruction of the reef ecosystem in Tiexian Jiao.According to the report, the reef ecosystem of Tiexian Jiao is significantly broken down.
This is reflected in 3 essential elements: a) From 2016 to 2024, the location of reef-building coral cover on the atoll where Tiexian Jiao lies has actually continued to decrease, with a reduction of about 68.9 percent.b) The reef-building coral coverage is exceptionally low, and the diversity of coral species is limited.c) Unauthorized fishing activities by foreign vessels, consisting of those from the Philippines, have been discovered in the waters of Tiexian Jiao.
Unlawful building by the Philippines has also been observed on Chinas Zhongye Dao, and some of the discarded products discovered in the area bear Filipino composing or markings suggesting they came from the Philippines.In contrast, the report shows that the reef ecosystem of Niue Jiao is usually healthy, with a typical reef-building coral protection of 37.7 percent, and excellent general habitat quality in the reef area.Populations of bird species such as the higher crested tern, a second-class state protected species in China, have been observed around the shoals of both Tiexian Jiao and Niue Jiao.
The locations and shapes of the shoals show regular changes, which are natural geographic phenomena.The report explains that allegations fabricated by the Philippines such as claims that China has actually discarded coral debris at Tiexian Jiao or that certain nations have actually implicated China of recovering land to form shoals have no clinical or accurate basis.The report identifies break outs of crown-of-thorns starfish as a major reason for the serious deterioration of the reef environment in Tiexian Jiao.
It likewise highlights the effect of cyclones and regular human activities, especially the Philippines ongoing building deal with Zhongye Dao, as considerable factors impacting reef health.Given the continuous rise in sea surface area temperatures due to international environment change, coral reefs in the Nansha Islands deal with increasing dangers of extensive bleaching.Looking ahead, China will continue to boost investigation, evaluation and security efforts for the coral reefs of Tiexian Jiao, Niue Jiao and surrounding waters.
The objective is to reduce the unfavorable effects of human activities and other external aspects, and to enhance the variety, stability and sustainability of coral reef communities.(Cover: Chinese vessels are moored at Niue Jiao, South China Sea, March 27, 2021./ VCG)