An underwater survey carried out by Dongsha Management Station,Marine National Park HQ shows gradual recruitment of juvenile coral aroundDongsha Atoll and gradual increase in the number of fish species, showing thatthe ecological conservation work implemented since the national park was establishedhas achieved results. Dongha Atoll National Parkhas the largest coral reef ecosystem of anywhere in Taiwan and is a park establishedwith the specific aim of protecting the coral ecosystem around the Atoll.

The serious abnormality of climate since 1998 has caused seatemperatures to rise all over the world and led to large-scale coral leechingand death on Dongsha Atoll, with branching Acropora coral suffering most. Evenafter 10 years the coral of the atoll shows no sign of recovering its original state.

In recent years, experts commissioned to carry out studies havefound that the atoll’s Porites, staghorn coral and mushroom coral has recoveredquite well from the damage caused by global warming however, Acropora coral, byfar the dominant species before the leeching incident of 1998, hasn’t fared sowell. Studies have shown that the increased it water temperature has led to achange in the composition of the coral in the atoll’s lagoon and the effect ofthis change on the biodiversity and natural resources of the coral reefecosystem requires further research.

Happily, a survey inthe lagoon has shown that several beautiful coral indicator fish species are quiteplentiful around the reef and there are also a significant amount of mushroomcoral and starfish, showing that the waters around the atoll are gradually recovering.

Translated by：Kevin Lax
Source：Marine National Park Headquarters