Graphics: Healthy coral reef ecosystem at Xianbin Jiao

Located to the east side of Ren'ai Jiao and under the jurisdiction of Sansha, south China's Hainan Province, Xianbin Jiao is part of China's Nansha Qundao. The coral reef ecosystem at Xianbin Jiao is generally healthy, with abundant species of reef-building corals, coral reef fishes and benthic macro-invertebrates, according to a survey released on Friday.

A Survey Report on the Coral Reef Ecosystem of Xianbin Jiao was released by the Chinese Ministry of Ecology and Environment. The report covered an investigation period from May to July 2024.

Xianbin Jiao is home to 236 species of reef-building corals under 57 genera of 13 families. The species of reef-building corals distributed at Xianbin Jiao account for 64 percent of all that's recorded across Nansha Qundao. It is also home to 179 species of fishes in 26 families, accounting for 32 percent of all recorded species of coral reef fishes in Nansha Qundao.

Reef-building corals at Xianbin Jiao have a high coverage. The average reef-building coral coverage where survey stations were set is 24.7 percent, with a highest coverage of 51.3 percent, which implies a high coverage compared with other main coral reef areas.

Rare creatures were found at Xianbin Jiao. Schools of Stenella longirostris were spotted in the west and southeast waters of Xianbin Jiao, Chelonia mydas in its northwest waters, Eretmochelys imbricata in its southeast waters, and Sterna Sumatrana in its northwest cays.

The habitat quality of the reef area is generally good, with the seawater temperature, salinity and pH at Xianbin Jiao reef area all suitable for coral growth. The average content of dissolved organic phosphate is 1.9mg/L.