海南儋州海域造礁石珊瑚种类组成及动态变化研究

文章通过断面法调查分析了儋州海域海花岛沿岸、南华墟沿岸和磷枪石岛沿岸造礁石珊瑚的种类组成与群落分布,结果表明：儋州海域造礁石珊瑚共有12科25属55种,相较于此前的研究增加了10个种,优势种为斯氏角孔珊瑚、澄黄滨珊瑚、柱角孔珊瑚;活造礁石珊瑚覆盖率急剧下降,由2012年的42.92%下降至现在的22.24%,降幅高至48.18%;造礁石珊瑚死亡率高居不下,长期维持在35%左右;初级群落以团块状造礁石珊瑚为优势种的趋势愈发明显,且单一绝对优势种的情况频繁出现,说明该海域造礁石珊瑚群落受到了较为严重的破坏,导致群落退化演替,分析认为这种破坏是由自然因素和人为活动共同造成的。     

西秦岭地区生物礁与铅锌矿关系的再认识

本文以前人对西秦岭地区地层、岩相及有机地球化学研究成果为基础,结合补充的实际资料,论述了生物礁与西秦岭铅锌矿的伴生关系及其成因联系.地质建造上,规模矿床赋矿地层的共同特点是相对发育灰岩及生物灰岩;空间上,生物礁为沉积成矿洼地的障壁;层序上,沉积型铅锌矿和改造型铅锌矿与生物礁的伴生关系有所不同,前者一般赋存于生物灰岩或碎屑岩中,后者的矿体常赋存在生物灰岩与泥质岩的过渡部位,表现为礁硅岩套.与造礁生物有关的有机质可能在沉积成矿或改造成矿作用发生前的成岩过程中,参与了硫酸盐的热化学还原及铅、锌等多金属元素的萃取、运聚过程.板内伸展阶段的深源流体、陆内俯冲阶段的深源或岩浆热液注入先存的中低温富有机质卤水,分别导致了沉积和改造成矿作用发生.沿生长断裂发生的热水沉积成矿作用促进了处于低纬度地区的生物礁生长,并形成成矿洼地的障壁.生物礁在改造成矿过程中的作用主要在于形成利于改造成矿作用发生的成矿构造.     

热带生物海岸对全球变化的响应

以热带生物海岸现代过程研究成果为基础,结合国内外相关资料,分析我国红树林海岸和珊瑚礁海岸对全球变暖、海平面上升、大气CO2浓度升高和海洋酸化的响应.其中,全球变暖和大气CO2浓度升高总体上有利于红树林生长发育,海平面上升对红树林和珊瑚礁的影响取决于红树林潮滩淤积速率和珊瑚礁礁坪堆积速率与海平面上升速率之间的对比关系.海平面加速上升将威胁部分红树林、珊瑚礁及其后的海岸堤防.全球变暖海表异常高温导致珊瑚白化、海洋酸化导致珊瑚和珊瑚藻钙化率降低将成为21世纪珊瑚礁的重大威胁.全球变化的不确定性和生态系统响应机制仍然有待进一步研究.主要是人类不合理开发活动导致目前红树林和珊瑚礁的广泛严重破坏,加强海岸带综合管理和生态环境保护,加强生态系统恢复重建,是有效适应本世纪全球变化影响的重要措施.     

Intraspecific cleaning by juvenile Cape white seabream Diplodus capensis (Sparidae) off eastern South Africa

Juveniles of the Cape white seabream Diplodus capensis were observed cleaning adult conspecifics in a large tidepool off Sodwana Bay, South Africa. Although nine other tropical fish species were present and interacted with a nearby pair of Labroides cleaner wrasses, only adults of D. capensis posed for and were cleaned by the D. capensis juveniles. Such cleaning interactions have not been reported previously for this species or among marine fishes off South Africa, and thus add to the growing list of facultative cleaners globally.     

砂质基底领海基点的保护范围选划及管理研究——以外磕脚领海基点为例

领海基点对于维护国家海洋权益等意义重大。文章基于外磕脚领海基点的保护实践工作,从前期准备、现场调查方法、保护范围选划结果3个方面,开展砂质基点领海基点保护范围选划的案例研究,据此提出砂质基底领海基点保护范围的选划依据和方法。研究表明:砂质基底领海基点的保护范围选划应依据海岛的特殊属性,由保护对象的边界向外延伸至潮汐水道,并充分体现地貌整体性和连续性。针对砂质基底领海基点保护,文章建议应加强工程手段实现基底稳定,维护领海基点安全;加强领海基点外业调查,夯实领海基点地形水文资料基础;加大领海基点巡查力度,持续推进领海基点实时动态监视监测;加强部门沟通协调,完善领海基点信息管理系统;加大宣传教育,树立全民海洋海岛意识等保护管理建议,为领海基点的保护管理工作提供理论和实践探索。     

南海北部冷泉区深水珊瑚的发现及其特征

冷水珊瑚也称为深水珊瑚, 在生物多样性、生态资源和科研价值等方面具有重要意义。文章对采自南海北部冷泉区的冷水珊瑚骨骼碎屑进行测定, 鉴定出冷水珊瑚2个种(Crispatotrochus sp.1和Crispatotrochus sp.2), 以及4个属[Balanophyllia (Balanophyllia)、Balanophyllia (Eupsammia)、Lochmaeotrochus和Enallopsammia]。测定的冷水珊瑚的δ¹³C为-7.36‰~-1.15‰, δ¹⁸O为-1.38‰~3.67‰, 与全球冷水珊瑚碳氧同位素组成相似, 但明显不同于南海暖水珊瑚、冷泉碳酸盐岩及低温热液成因碳酸盐岩的碳氧同位素组成。     

Coral assemblages and reef growth in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (Western Pacific Ocean)

Reef development varies considerably around the high, raised‐limestone islands of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Here we examine the modern assemblages at 30 sites for coral composition, colony density, colony size, and fidelity. We defined four reef types and hypothesize the presence of environmentally driven ecological stasis, whereby the environment continuously selects for coral species membership, defines colony sizes, and over time creates the noted reef types. Our results show that constructional spur‐and‐groove reefs supported significantly larger coral‐colony sizes and higher coral species richness compared with high‐relief interstitial framework, low‐relief incipient, and non‐constructional coral assemblages. Non‐constructional reefs supported much smaller coral colony sizes, despite similar population densities, and were consistently found in association with high wave exposure. The distinct coral assemblages found on interstitial framework and low‐relief incipient reefs were not affiliated with any wave exposure regime, but were located adjacent to large watersheds and on islands with unique geological history. These assemblages were nested within the spur‐and‐groove species pool. Overall, modern coral cover was well predicted by bathymetric slope and watershed size, while species richness was additively influenced by two proxies of pollution, suggesting the latter is better suited for establishing management targets. In contrast with previous studies that suggested modern assemblages were biologically controlled in the CNMI, we show reef assemblages and reef development are highly influenced by long‐term environmental forcing.     

Danian cool-water coral reefs in southern Scandinavia localised over seafloor highs

Danian (Paleocene) reefs formed by ahermatypic scleractinian corals in relatively deep water are known in a few localities in southern Scandinavia. Reflection and shallow seismic profiles, and samples from drilling and scuba diving in bridge pier excavations in Øresund, the strait between Denmark and Sweden, for the first time allow interpretation of the factors that controlled the localisation of the reefs.     

Impact of hydrographic parameters and seasonal variation in sediment fluxes on coral status at Chumbe and Bawe reefs,Zanzibar, Tanzania

Coral reefs which are an important resource to coastal communities and nation at large are adversely affected by rate of sediment flux to the reefs. However, there is little information on seasonal trend in sediment flux and its impact at the reefs off Zanzibar. Two years’ monthly data on sedimentation at Chumbe and Bawe reefs were used to assess seasonal variability in sediment flux and its implication on the coral status. Sediment flux to the Bawe reefs for the duration of the study ranged from 0.2 to 41.5 mg cm⁻² d⁻¹, while it ranged from 0.8 to 65.8 mg cm⁻² d⁻¹ at the Chumbe reefs. Sediment fluxes at Bawe reefs were highest between November and March, while they were highest between April and September at Chumbe reefs. Generally, sediment fluxes at Bawe reefs were low compared to those at Chumbe. The total sediment input to the reefs ranged from 4615 to 123,403 kg d⁻¹ for Bawe reefs and 2750 to 79,636 kg d⁻¹ for Chumbe reefs. High sediment fluxes at Bawe reefs between November and March; and the Chumbe reefs between April and September can be attributed to water currents and wind pattern in the east African region which are under the influence of the monsoons. The observed trend suggests that the period for coral transplant as a management option for the two sites should be different. Coral transplant can be undertaken in such a way that stress of the corals due to sedimentation can be felt after they have overcome stress from transplant process and temperature. The results from this study contribute to the much needed information for coral transplant, restoration, and management.     

How U.S. ocean policy and market power can reform the coral reef wildlife trade

As the world’s largest importer of marine ornamental species for the aquaria, curio, home décor, and jewelry industries, the United States has an opportunity to leverage its considerable market power to promote more sustainable trade and reduce the effects of ornamental trade stress on coral reefs worldwide. Evidence indicates that collection of some coral reef animals for these trades has caused virtual elimination of local populations, major changes in age structure, and promotion of collection practices that destroy reef habitats. Management and enforcement of collection activities in major source countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines remain weak. Strengthening US trade laws and enforcement capabilities combined with increasing consumer and industry demand for responsible conservation can create strong incentives for improving management in source countries. This is particularly important in light of the March 2010 failure of the parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to take action on key groups of corals.