“An introduction to Taiwan's coral reef biodiversity: threats and diagnostics in an era of
climate change”
Anderson B. Mayfield, Ph.D.,
National Science Foundation international postdoctoral research fellow
National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium (NMMBA), Pingtung
Abstract
Taiwan sits at the northern border of the Indo-Pacific coral “triangle,” Earth’s
highest marine biodiversity region. As such, a multitude of invertebrates, fish, reptiles,
mammals, and other creatures can be found in Taiwanese waters, particularly in the lush
coral reef ecosystems of the southern half of the country. The clear waters surrounding
tropical coral reefs are typically nutrient-poor, yet these reefs sustain high productivity by
supporting dense populations of marine organisms. This paradox is resolved by many
coral reef invertebrates by accommodating unicellular, endosymbiotic algae within their
tissues. Invertebrates with this kind of interaction include corals and giant clams. This
photoautotrophic symbiosis allows for a beneficial exchange of nutrients between the
algae and animal host. Organic carbon produced by the algal partner is released to the
host for nutrition while inorganic metabolic wastes are recycled to fertilise algal
photosynthesis.
After a brief introduction to coral reefs and the symbioses upon which they are
built, this talk will focus on Taiwan’s coral reef biodiversity, with a specific emphasis on
organisms found within Kenting National Park. Corals are coelenterates and can be
divided into hard corals and soft corals according to their morphology. Hard corals are
supported by stony calcareous exoskeletons, the main component of coral reefs, while
soft corals possess only calcium spicules. Therefore, corals can also be ecologically
divided into reef-building corals and non-reef-building corals. There are over 250 species
of stony corals in the park and 50 species of horny corals. Only 50 species of soft corals
are found in the park, but populations are so numerous that soft corals of every color and
form blanket large areas of the ocean floor from Houbihu fishing port to Dalaogu and
from Leidashih to Maobitou, creating one of the most magnificent scenes found nowhere
else Taiwan and rare in the world. Time permitting, an overview of the anthropogenic
threats towards these beautiful ecosystems will be given, as well as the research we are
conducting at NMMBA to better understand how coral reefs will respond to such threats
over the course of the next century.