A coral conservation center in southeast China's Fujian Province is highlighting the importance of coral preservation, showcasing ongoing initiatives in studying, cultivating, and restoring coral reefs.

The conservation center was built by the Third Institute of Oceanography under the Ministry of Natural Resources in August 2014, with an area of 145 square meters and nearly 20 sets of various kinds of breeding systems. Currently, researchers at the center are studying coral behavior and conducting artificial cultivation, providing vital insights for wild coral breeding and reef restoration.  

"We have various tasks in the field. For instance, we engage in coral reef restoration, which typically involves coral planting. Meanwhile, we also work on substrate modification in areas with excessive sand or silt. We adjust the substrate to create a suitable environment for coral growth, aiming at promoting the prosperity and beauty of the underwater coral communities in their natural state," said Li Yan, a staff member at the conservation center.

Coral reef ecosystems are among the most biodiverse systems on Earth. Coral polyps, the smallest units of coral, also known as hydrozoans, come together in colonies of hundreds of thousands, forming the magnificent corals. When some corals die, their hardened skeletons transform into reef formations. These particular corals, known as reef-building corals, create diverse marine ecosystems, providing a natural underwater home for a multitude of species. 

Now, the conservation center has bred nearly 100 species of reef-building corals and more than 30 species of reef-dwelling organisms.

(Cover image via CFP)