Effects of ocean warming and fishing on the coral reef ecosystem: A case study of Xisha Islands, South China Sea

Abstract

Global change has generated challenges for oceans, from individuals to the entire ecosystem, and has raised contemporary issues related to ocean conservation and management. Specifically, coral reef ecosystems have been exposed to various environmental and human disturbances. In this study, the Ecopath with Ecosim model was used to explore the impacts of ocean warming and fishing on Xisha Islands coral reef ecosystem in the South China Sea. The variables in this model included two ocean warming scenarios and three fishing scenarios. The model consisted of 23 functional groups including algae, coral, sea birds, and sharks. Our results showed that by the middle of the century, ocean warming and fishing led to a 3.79% and 4.74% decrease in total catch compared with 2009, respectively. In addition, the combined effects of ocean warming and fishing caused a 4.79% decrease in total catch, and the mean trophic level of catch was predicted to decrease by 6.01% under the SSP585-High fishing scenario. Reducing the fishing effort mitigates the effects of ocean warming on some species, such as large carnivorous fish and medium carnivorous fish; however, under low fishing effort, some functional groups, such as small carnivorous and omnivorous fish, have low biomass because of higher predation mortality.