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Ecological vulnerability assessment   of coral reef: A case study of Si Chang Island, Thailand.

HU Wen-jia1,5, CHEN Bin1,5, Arnupap Panichpol2, ZHANG Dian1, LIU Xin-ming3, GU Hai-feng1,5, Ajcharaporn Piumsomboon2, CHAO Bi-xiao1,4, ZHENG Xin-qing1,5*   

  1. (1Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361005, Fujian, China; 2Aquatic Resources Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand; 3GuangxiAcademy of Oceanography, Nanning 530000, Guangxi, China; 4College of Natural Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100073, China; 5Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Ecological Conservation and Restoration, Xiamen 361005, Fujian, China).
  • Online:2020-03-10 Published:2020-03-10

Abstract: Coral reef ecosystems are seriously threatened by environmental changes and human activities. Protecting coral reef ecosystems is a hotspot in global marine ecosystem conservation. Quantitative assessment of ecological vulnerability of coral reefs would provide important scientific basis for coral reef conservation management. Taking Si Chang Island, Thailand as the study area, a versatile vulnerability assessment approach was developed combined with spatial analysis technology. Based on the ESA model, a comprehensive vulnerability index and related indicators were built for coral reefs. The source and composition of coral reef vulnerability were identified using the established model, while the spatial distribution of vulnerability was visually displayed. The results showed that the vulnerability of coral reef on northeast side was greater than that on the southwest side of the Si Chang Island. The key impact factors of local coral reefs were tug sewage, harbors and piers, water transparency, etc. The zoning management countermeasures were proposed for the conservation and restoration of coral reefs based on our findings. This study provided a feasible example for the ecological vulnerability assessment of Indo-Pacific reefs, and can also be taken as a reference for the sustainable management of coral reefs in China.

Key words: adaptability., Alhagi sparsifolia, ion, saline and alkaline land