Graphics Showcase: Vibrant Coral Reef Ecosystem at Xianbin Jiao
Graphics showcasing a vibrant and healthy coral reef ecosystem at Xianbin Jiao.
TroibNews 
Situated on the eastern side of Ren'ai Jiao, within the administrative region of Sansha in Hainan Province, China, Xianbin Jiao is a component of the Nansha Qundao in China. According to a recent survey, the coral reef ecosystem at Xianbin Jiao is largely robust, featuring a diverse array of reef-building corals, fish species, and benthic macro-invertebrates.
The Chinese Ministry of Ecology and Environment published "A Survey Report on the Coral Reef Ecosystem of Xianbin Jiao," which documented research conducted from May to July 2024.
Xianbin Jiao hosts 236 types of reef-building corals across 57 genera and 13 families. These coral species represent 64 percent of those cataloged across Nansha Qundao. Additionally, the site supports 179 fish species from 26 families, representing 32 percent of coral reef fish species identified in Nansha Qundao.
At Xianbin Jiao, reef-building corals exhibit a high level of coverage. Survey stations recorded an average coral coverage of 24.7 percent, with peaks up to 51.3 percent. This indicates a substantial coverage relative to other primary coral reef locations.
Unique wildlife has also been observed at Xianbin Jiao. In its western and southeastern waters, pods of Stenella longirostris were seen, with Chelonia mydas in the northwest waters, Eretmochelys imbricata in the southeast, and Sterna Sumatrana in the northwest cays.
The overall condition of the habitat at Xianbin Jiao's reef area is favorable, with oceanographic conditions such as temperature, salinity, and pH levels conducive to coral development. The average concentration of dissolved organic phosphate recorded in the area is 1.9mg/L.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
The Chinese Ministry of Ecology and Environment published "A Survey Report on the Coral Reef Ecosystem of Xianbin Jiao," which documented research conducted from May to July 2024.
Xianbin Jiao hosts 236 types of reef-building corals across 57 genera and 13 families. These coral species represent 64 percent of those cataloged across Nansha Qundao. Additionally, the site supports 179 fish species from 26 families, representing 32 percent of coral reef fish species identified in Nansha Qundao.
At Xianbin Jiao, reef-building corals exhibit a high level of coverage. Survey stations recorded an average coral coverage of 24.7 percent, with peaks up to 51.3 percent. This indicates a substantial coverage relative to other primary coral reef locations.
Unique wildlife has also been observed at Xianbin Jiao. In its western and southeastern waters, pods of Stenella longirostris were seen, with Chelonia mydas in the northwest waters, Eretmochelys imbricata in the southeast, and Sterna Sumatrana in the northwest cays.
The overall condition of the habitat at Xianbin Jiao's reef area is favorable, with oceanographic conditions such as temperature, salinity, and pH levels conducive to coral development. The average concentration of dissolved organic phosphate recorded in the area is 1.9mg/L.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
