Coral seas: a symphony of marine life

Coral reefs are vital ecosystems that support a diverse range of marine life, playing host to various species including sponges, oysters, clams, crabs, and fish. They are interconnected with nearby habitats, forming a complex marine ecosystem.

珊瑚礁是一种重要的生态系统，支持多种海洋生物，是海绵、牡蛎、蛤蜊、螃蟹和鱼类的栖息地。栖息地之间又相互连接，形成一个更为复杂的海洋生态系统。

Tabular corals in Okinawa, Japan, whose phenotypical features reflect healthy conditions, such as color, size, roughness and interspecies overlap. Matteo Convertino

日本冲绳的表层珊瑚，其颜色、大小、粗糙度和种间重叠的表型特征反映了其健康状况。

Approximately a quarter of all marine life, including fish, relies on coral reefs at some point in their life cycle. These reefs possess unique ecological functions, such as carbon storage, nutrient regulation, and support for marine species survival. They provide invaluable services to humanity, in aspects of fisheries, moderation of sea-level rise, and storm-surge attenuation.

包括鱼类在内，大约四分之一的海洋生物在其生命周期的某个阶段依赖珊瑚礁。这些珊瑚礁具有独特的生态功能，如碳储存、营养调节和支持海洋物种生存。它们在渔业、减缓海平面上升和减弱风暴潮等方面为人类提供了宝贵的服务。

Coral reefs face numerous challenges and threats. Ocean heat waves with unprecedented temperatures pose a significant threat, harming the health and existence of corals and their communities. Coral bleaching, resulting from environmental stress, impacts not only individual corals but also affects adjacent corals. The presence of microorganisms such as Terpios contributes to the spread of bleaching, further damaging coral life. These factors collectively reduce coral reef functionality and can lead to habitat disintegration within a short period.

珊瑚礁面临众多挑战和威胁。温度高涨的海洋热浪是最大威胁，损害了珊瑚及其群落的健康。环境压力导致的珊瑚白化不仅影响单个珊瑚，还会影响邻近的珊瑚。海绵等有害生物的存在加剧了白化现象的蔓延，进一步损害了珊瑚的生命。这些因素共同降低了珊瑚礁的功能，并可能在短期内导致栖息地解体。

This year, high sea-surface temperatures have resulted in massive coral losses globally. These temperatures also negatively impact coral fitness and survival in the long term by increasing water depth.

今年，较高的海面温度导致全球珊瑚大量死亡。从长远来看，温度还会随着海平面上涨对珊瑚的适应性和存活率产生负面影响。

In the Shenzhen part of Dapeng Bay, the development of coral reefs is inadequate, with sparse formations that are difficult to observe. This is attributed to local bioclimatic factors and chronic stress over time. The health of the coral ecosystem remains uncertain, but it is evident that corals in the region are far from optimal. Efforts are underway to map the potential for reef reconstruction and to raise awareness to the deteriorating ecosystem.

在大鹏湾深圳段，珊瑚礁发育不足，分布稀疏，难以观察。这归因于当地的生物气候因素和长期的慢性压力。珊瑚生态系统的健康状况仍不确定，但该地区的珊瑚显然远未达到最佳状态。目前正在努力绘制珊瑚礁重建潜力图，并提高人们的海洋环境意识，直面日益退化的生态系统。

Healthy coral ecosystem in Okinawa, Japan, composed by multiple interconnected and diverse patches harboring many marine species in a similar bioclimatic context of Shenzhen. Matteo Convertino

日本冲绳岛健康的珊瑚生态系统由多个相互连接的多样化斑块组成，在其中栖息着许多海洋物种，这里的生物气候环境与深圳类似。

A comparison between healthy corals in Okinawa, Japan, and in Mirs Bay reveals stark differences. Healthy reefs consist of diverse patches that provide habitat for various species, while unhealthy reefs are characterized by encrusted biofilm and an abundance of algae. The soundscape of healthy reefs is diverse, contributing to a symphony of marine life, while degraded reefs have lower diversity and fewer fish species. These degraded habitats can even disorient large cetaceans like whales.

若将日本冲绳的珊瑚与大鹏湾的珊瑚进行比较，可以发现两者之间存在着明显的差异。健康的珊瑚礁由多种多样的斑块组成，为各种物种提供栖息地，而不健康的珊瑚礁覆盖着生物膜和大量藻类。健康珊瑚礁里的能发声的生物非常多元，像是一支海底的海洋生物交响乐队，而退化珊瑚礁的多样性较低，鱼类物种较少。这些退化的栖息地甚至会使鲸鱼等大型鲸目动物迷失方向。

Coral spawning is observed in some coral communities offshore Nan’ao, Dapeng Peninsula in this May 2023 file photo. Courtesy of Blue Fins, a NGO in Shenzhen.

在这张 2023 年 5 月的资料照片中，人们在大鹏半岛南澳近海的一些珊瑚群落中观察到珊瑚产卵。

Understanding the connection between recent Bryde’s whale strandings in the Mirs Bay and the state of coastal coral gardens is essential. Eco-unfriendly practices disrupt the food web, impacting large cetaceans and altering their migration patterns. High nutrient levels and artificial lighting may have lured the whales closer to the coast, while anthropogenic sounds and boats may have disoriented them, contributing to their demise.

了解最近在大鹏湾发生的布氏鲸搁浅事件与沿海珊瑚群落状况之间的关系至关重要。不环保的行为破坏了食物网，会影响大型鲸目动物并改变其迁徙模式。沿岸海水的富营养化和岸边城市的灯光照明可能诱使鲸鱼靠近海岸，而人为的声音以及船只可能使它们迷失方向，从而导致它们的死亡。

As the beautiful coral reefs hold immense value and have an essential role in sustaining global ecosystems, protecting them is crucial. Recognizing their importance allows us to strive for their continuity and resilience for future generations.

美丽的珊瑚礁具有巨大的生态价值，在维持全球生态系统方面发挥着重要作用，保护珊瑚礁至关重要，为我们这一代，也为子孙后代努力重建缤纷的海底世界。