Coral reefs in the Xisha Islands(also known as the Paracel Islands in English), South China Sea, have experienced dramatic declines in coral cover. However, the current regional scale hard coral distribution of geomor...Coral reefs in the Xisha Islands(also known as the Paracel Islands in English), South China Sea, have experienced dramatic declines in coral cover. However, the current regional scale hard coral distribution of geomorphic and ecological zones, essential for reefs management in the context of global warming and ocean acidification, is not well documented. We analyzed data from field surveys, Landsat-8 and GF-1 images to map the distribution of hard coral within geomorphic zones and reef flat ecological zones. In situ surveys conducted in June 2014 on nine reefs provided a complete picture of reef status with regard to live coral diversity, evenness of coral cover and reef health(live versus dead cover) for the Xisha Islands. Mean coral cover was 12.5% in 2014 and damaged reefs seemed to show signs of recovery. Coral cover in sheltered habitats such as lagoon patch reefs and biotic dense zones of reef flats was higher, but there were large regional differences and low diversity. In contrast, the more exposed reef slopes had high coral diversity, along with high and more equal distributions of coral cover. Mean hard coral cover of other zones was <10%. The total Xisha reef system was estimated to cover 1 060 km^2, and the emergent reefs covered ~787 km^2. Hard corals of emergent reefs were considered to cover 97 km^2. The biotic dense zone of the reef flat was a very common zone on all simple atolls, especially the broader northern reef flats. The total cover of live and dead coral can reach above 70% in this zone, showing an equilibrium between live and dead coral as opposed to coral and algae. This information regarding the spatial distribution of hard coral can support and inform the management of Xisha reef ecosystems.展开更多
The aeolianite deposits on Shidao Island of the Xisha Islands,the South China Sea,contain five stages of aeolian biocalcarenites and four paleosols.The aeolian biocalcarenites consist of two sedimentary facies:dune an...The aeolianite deposits on Shidao Island of the Xisha Islands,the South China Sea,contain five stages of aeolian biocalcarenites and four paleosols.The aeolian biocalcarenites consist of two sedimentary facies:dune and interdune deposits.In the dunes,large-scale festoon cross-bedding,humped cross-bedding and high-angle foreset bedding are well developed,and in the interdunes,large-scale flat-bedding and low-angle wedge shaped cross-bedding are well developed.The sedimentary structures and lamella features indicate that the aeolian deposits are driven mainly by the northeast monsoon.The aeolian biocalcarenite and paleosols may reflect the arid and humid climates of the East Asian monsoon,respectively.By comparison with the stalagmite oxygen isotope climosequence of Hulu Cave,Nanjing,we inferred that the aeolianite formed in the last glacial stage,and the paleosols were formed during relatively long-term warm events.展开更多
The data of lithology, mineralogy, lithochemistry, palaeoorganism-palaeoecology of 455.25 m cores from Xichen-1 well have been obtained, the characteristics, types, models of fossil taphonomy and reef-making actions a...The data of lithology, mineralogy, lithochemistry, palaeoorganism-palaeoecology of 455.25 m cores from Xichen-1 well have been obtained, the characteristics, types, models of fossil taphonomy and reef-making actions about different communities of 9 genera and 43 species algae have been discussed, and the evolution process of algae’ s ecologic system展开更多
Microbes and microbial carbonates in reef-flat and coral community dynamics and submarine geomorphologic features in reef crest and fore reef of Yongxing Island,the Xisha Islands,South China Sea,were studied by means ...Microbes and microbial carbonates in reef-flat and coral community dynamics and submarine geomorphologic features in reef crest and fore reef of Yongxing Island,the Xisha Islands,South China Sea,were studied by means of scuba diving,underwater investigation,and line intercept transect survey.Studies indicate a very high coral mortality with few living corals in the reef flat of Yongxing Island.Moreover,macro algae,sea grass and cyanobacteria are common in reef flat.Microbes and microbially induced carbonates occur in reef flat.Living corals grow mainly in the reef crest and fore reef,but are also declined dramatically.From coast to off shore,the southeast reef flat of Yongxing Island can be divided into beach,inner reef flat,outer reef flat,reef flat front(reef crest and fore reef),and fore-reef slope settings.Sedimentary facies include coast,reef flat,reef crest and fore reef,and fore-reef slope.Reefal carbonate sediments are composed of coral skeletons and framework,coral fragments,bioclasts,and lime mud.With the deterioration of environment and water quality,the coral communities tend to be distributed in the reef crest and fore reef with clean sea water,well circulation and moderate water energy.Reef flat is occupied mainly by the macro algae and Heliopora coerulea communities.The coverage statistics on the reef crest demonstrate that the coverage of Acropora cytherea is more than 28% and represents a dominant species with wave-resistant ecological type.Sedimentary characteristics and geomorphologic features are different between the southeast and northwest reef-flat fronts(reef crest and fore reef) of Yongxing Island.The former shows discontinuously tidal channels in outer reef flat and different dimensional and deep reef ponds in reef crest and fore reef,and the latter presents a typical spur-and-groove system.Microbes(cyanobacteria Lyngbya sp.) occur generally in the inner reef flat and reef ponds of reef crest with restricted water circulation.Widely algae growth indicates a eutrophic environment,and the common microbes on the coral surface in the reef flat and reef ponds also demonstrate eutrophication in seawater and deteriorated water quality.展开更多
有孔虫指数(Foram Index,FI)是利用珊瑚礁区沉积物中底栖有孔虫功能组(藻类共生种、机会种、非自养种)的含量评估珊瑚礁区生态环境健康状况的指标,迄今中国对该指标的应用还较少。文章以西沙群岛羚羊礁的潟湖中钻取的LYJ2岩芯为材料(全...有孔虫指数(Foram Index,FI)是利用珊瑚礁区沉积物中底栖有孔虫功能组(藻类共生种、机会种、非自养种)的含量评估珊瑚礁区生态环境健康状况的指标,迄今中国对该指标的应用还较少。文章以西沙群岛羚羊礁的潟湖中钻取的LYJ2岩芯为材料(全长287 cm,底部对应的年代为2665 a BP),以0.5 cm的间隔取样,在显微镜下鉴定有孔虫功能组,计算FI值。结果显示:1)近2600年的FI变化范围为4.1~7.9,均值为5.9。2)FI成波动变化的模式,具体可分为3个上升期:2380―1628,1212―572和252―92 a BP;3个快速下降期:1628―1212,572―252和92 a BP至今及1个小幅下降期:2665―2380 a BP;3)FI在长期变化趋势上叠加不同尺度的年代际波动,具有66.7、54.4 a等周期。基于FI值对珊瑚礁健康状况的评估标准,推测近2600年来西沙羚羊礁的生态环境总体是健康的;基于FI值与海表温度对比分析,推测羚羊礁FI值主要受海表温度影响,与气候变化具有一致性,FI高值与中世纪暖期、罗马暖期大致对应,而低值与小冰期、黑暗时代冷期大致对应;FI值具有3次快速下降阶段,前两者(1628―1404,572―252 a BP)与黑暗时代冷期、小冰期相对应,可能是由于冷期冬季风增强导致大气粉尘物质增多、降雨增加、羚羊礁海域营养物质增加所致;后者(92 a BP至今)与近40年来西沙群岛珊瑚礁生态系统的快速退化相对应,可能是由人类活动加剧、大气氮沉降通量增加等导致的羚羊礁海域营养浓度升高所致。文章揭示了有孔虫指数可大体记录南海珊瑚礁的健康状况,可用于对地质历史时期珊瑚礁健康状况的评估。展开更多
基金Supported by the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China(863 Program)(No.2012AA12A406)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.41271409)the National Science and Technology Major Project(No.00-Y30B15-9001-14/16-5)
文摘Coral reefs in the Xisha Islands(also known as the Paracel Islands in English), South China Sea, have experienced dramatic declines in coral cover. However, the current regional scale hard coral distribution of geomorphic and ecological zones, essential for reefs management in the context of global warming and ocean acidification, is not well documented. We analyzed data from field surveys, Landsat-8 and GF-1 images to map the distribution of hard coral within geomorphic zones and reef flat ecological zones. In situ surveys conducted in June 2014 on nine reefs provided a complete picture of reef status with regard to live coral diversity, evenness of coral cover and reef health(live versus dead cover) for the Xisha Islands. Mean coral cover was 12.5% in 2014 and damaged reefs seemed to show signs of recovery. Coral cover in sheltered habitats such as lagoon patch reefs and biotic dense zones of reef flats was higher, but there were large regional differences and low diversity. In contrast, the more exposed reef slopes had high coral diversity, along with high and more equal distributions of coral cover. Mean hard coral cover of other zones was <10%. The total Xisha reef system was estimated to cover 1 060 km^2, and the emergent reefs covered ~787 km^2. Hard corals of emergent reefs were considered to cover 97 km^2. The biotic dense zone of the reef flat was a very common zone on all simple atolls, especially the broader northern reef flats. The total cover of live and dead coral can reach above 70% in this zone, showing an equilibrium between live and dead coral as opposed to coral and algae. This information regarding the spatial distribution of hard coral can support and inform the management of Xisha reef ecosystems.
基金Supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program) (No. 2009CB219406)the Knowledge Innovation Program of CAS (KZCX2-YW-229)National Science & Technology Major Project (No. 2008zx05025-003-03)
文摘The aeolianite deposits on Shidao Island of the Xisha Islands,the South China Sea,contain five stages of aeolian biocalcarenites and four paleosols.The aeolian biocalcarenites consist of two sedimentary facies:dune and interdune deposits.In the dunes,large-scale festoon cross-bedding,humped cross-bedding and high-angle foreset bedding are well developed,and in the interdunes,large-scale flat-bedding and low-angle wedge shaped cross-bedding are well developed.The sedimentary structures and lamella features indicate that the aeolian deposits are driven mainly by the northeast monsoon.The aeolian biocalcarenite and paleosols may reflect the arid and humid climates of the East Asian monsoon,respectively.By comparison with the stalagmite oxygen isotope climosequence of Hulu Cave,Nanjing,we inferred that the aeolianite formed in the last glacial stage,and the paleosols were formed during relatively long-term warm events.
文摘The data of lithology, mineralogy, lithochemistry, palaeoorganism-palaeoecology of 455.25 m cores from Xichen-1 well have been obtained, the characteristics, types, models of fossil taphonomy and reef-making actions about different communities of 9 genera and 43 species algae have been discussed, and the evolution process of algae’ s ecologic system
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos.40976030,41006029),Projects of International Cooperation and Exchanges of National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.41210104029)Knowledge Innovation Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No.SQ201114)
文摘Microbes and microbial carbonates in reef-flat and coral community dynamics and submarine geomorphologic features in reef crest and fore reef of Yongxing Island,the Xisha Islands,South China Sea,were studied by means of scuba diving,underwater investigation,and line intercept transect survey.Studies indicate a very high coral mortality with few living corals in the reef flat of Yongxing Island.Moreover,macro algae,sea grass and cyanobacteria are common in reef flat.Microbes and microbially induced carbonates occur in reef flat.Living corals grow mainly in the reef crest and fore reef,but are also declined dramatically.From coast to off shore,the southeast reef flat of Yongxing Island can be divided into beach,inner reef flat,outer reef flat,reef flat front(reef crest and fore reef),and fore-reef slope settings.Sedimentary facies include coast,reef flat,reef crest and fore reef,and fore-reef slope.Reefal carbonate sediments are composed of coral skeletons and framework,coral fragments,bioclasts,and lime mud.With the deterioration of environment and water quality,the coral communities tend to be distributed in the reef crest and fore reef with clean sea water,well circulation and moderate water energy.Reef flat is occupied mainly by the macro algae and Heliopora coerulea communities.The coverage statistics on the reef crest demonstrate that the coverage of Acropora cytherea is more than 28% and represents a dominant species with wave-resistant ecological type.Sedimentary characteristics and geomorphologic features are different between the southeast and northwest reef-flat fronts(reef crest and fore reef) of Yongxing Island.The former shows discontinuously tidal channels in outer reef flat and different dimensional and deep reef ponds in reef crest and fore reef,and the latter presents a typical spur-and-groove system.Microbes(cyanobacteria Lyngbya sp.) occur generally in the inner reef flat and reef ponds of reef crest with restricted water circulation.Widely algae growth indicates a eutrophic environment,and the common microbes on the coral surface in the reef flat and reef ponds also demonstrate eutrophication in seawater and deteriorated water quality.
文摘有孔虫指数(Foram Index,FI)是利用珊瑚礁区沉积物中底栖有孔虫功能组(藻类共生种、机会种、非自养种)的含量评估珊瑚礁区生态环境健康状况的指标,迄今中国对该指标的应用还较少。文章以西沙群岛羚羊礁的潟湖中钻取的LYJ2岩芯为材料(全长287 cm,底部对应的年代为2665 a BP),以0.5 cm的间隔取样,在显微镜下鉴定有孔虫功能组,计算FI值。结果显示:1)近2600年的FI变化范围为4.1~7.9,均值为5.9。2)FI成波动变化的模式,具体可分为3个上升期:2380―1628,1212―572和252―92 a BP;3个快速下降期:1628―1212,572―252和92 a BP至今及1个小幅下降期:2665―2380 a BP;3)FI在长期变化趋势上叠加不同尺度的年代际波动,具有66.7、54.4 a等周期。基于FI值对珊瑚礁健康状况的评估标准,推测近2600年来西沙羚羊礁的生态环境总体是健康的;基于FI值与海表温度对比分析,推测羚羊礁FI值主要受海表温度影响,与气候变化具有一致性,FI高值与中世纪暖期、罗马暖期大致对应,而低值与小冰期、黑暗时代冷期大致对应;FI值具有3次快速下降阶段,前两者(1628―1404,572―252 a BP)与黑暗时代冷期、小冰期相对应,可能是由于冷期冬季风增强导致大气粉尘物质增多、降雨增加、羚羊礁海域营养物质增加所致;后者(92 a BP至今)与近40年来西沙群岛珊瑚礁生态系统的快速退化相对应,可能是由人类活动加剧、大气氮沉降通量增加等导致的羚羊礁海域营养浓度升高所致。文章揭示了有孔虫指数可大体记录南海珊瑚礁的健康状况,可用于对地质历史时期珊瑚礁健康状况的评估。
