Changes in the Coral Community at Dong-Sha Atoll, South China Sea from 1975 to 1998

Abstract

Coral species at Dong-Sha Atoll, the only atoll in the northern part of the South China Sea, has been surveyed since 1990. In the most recent expedition, 14 families, 26 genera, and 61 species of coral were recorded in April 1998, which included ten families, 20 genera, and 49 species of scleractinians; three families, five genera, and eight species of octocorals; and one family, one genus, and four species of hydrocorals. The major components of the coral community were hermatypic corals, especially Acropora spp. and Porites spp. The number of species of corals decreased from 137 species in 1994 to 61 species in 1998, a decline of 55.5%. Up to 90% of the reef communities have possibly been destroyed by the extensive use of poisons and explosives in illegal fishing practices. It is necessary to take immediate actions to protect and conserve the reef system in this atoll.