Journal of Tropical Oceanography ›› 2024, Vol. 43 ›› Issue (6): 1-12.doi: 10.11978/2023200CSTR: 32234.14.2023200

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Thoughts on the restoration, reconstruction and protection of typical tropical marine ecosystems

HUANG Liangmin1,2(), LIN Qiang1,2, TAN Yehui1,2, HUANG Xiaoping1,2, ZHOU Linbin1,2, HUANG Hui1,2   

  1. 1. Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
    2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
  • Received:2023-12-26 Revised:2024-02-07 Online:2024-11-10 Published:2024-12-05
  • Contact: HUANG Liangmin
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China(42425004); National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022YFC3102400); National Program on Key Basic Research Project (973 Program)(2015CB452904); Science and Technology Planning Project of Guangdong Province, China(2023B1212060047)

Abstract:

Typical tropical marine ecosystems are composed of unique habitats and organisms, such as coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds. These ecosystems are mainly distributed in tropical and subtropical marine areas worldwide. It is characterized by high material cycling efficiency, unique ecological functions, rich biodiversity and extremely high productivity, and thus a key object of marine scientific research and resource utilization. Under the multiple pressures of human activities and global changes, its degradation trend has become increasingly prominent. How to restore the function of these typical ecosystems and maintain their sustainable development for the benefit of mankind has attracted increasing amounts of attention from the academic community and the international society. In this paper, the distribution patterns, degradation trends and influencing factors of such typical marine ecosystems in the world are described, with an emphasis on the distribution patterns and biodiversity characteristics of coral reef, mangrove and seagrass bed ecosystems in China. Focusing on coral reef ecosystems, this paper discusses the causes of degradation in the ecosystems and relevant action measurements for restoration and protection in China. According to the global action plan for biodiversity conservation and the actual situation of China, countermeasures and suggestions for the restoration, reconstruction and protection of the typical marine ecosystems were proposed: 1) Establishment of a research center for typical ecosystems in the South China Sea, an intelligent monitoring system and database, and an expert think tank; 2) establishing a demonstration zone for the restoration and protection of the typical marine ecosystems, and inviting experts from multiple disciplines to work together on research-experimentation-demonstration-estimate--promotion-monitor; and 3) optimizing policies and regulations, strengthening law enforcement and management, increasing efforts in science popularization and education, raising public awareness of environmental protection, and promoting conscious social actions. This study aims to provide references for strengthening the conservation and management of typical marine ecosystems and biodiversity, maintaining their sustainable development and implementing the 30×30 goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Key words: typical ecosystem, distribution pattern, ecosystem degradation, restoration and conservation, coral reef, mangrove, seagrass bed

CLC Number: 

  • X171.1