Funded by: Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department

 

Hong Kong, located in southern China on the northern part of the South China Sea region, is a marginal place for coral growth because of its large fluctuation in environmental conditions, including temperature and salinity. Nevertheless, Hong Kong supports extensive coral communities, with a high coral diversity of at least 84 species of hermatypic Scleractinia (reef-building stony corals) in 28 genera recorded. This diversity is higher than that reported for the whole Caribbean region. However, ahermatypic Scleractinia (non-reef-building stony corals), which belong to the same family, remain poorly studied. This group of corals, unlike many other hermatypic Scleractinian corals, lack symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) and solely depend on planktonic food for nutrition. In this study, we conduct a quantitative investigation on the diversity and abundance of ahermatypic Scleractinia in Hong Kong waters, and to compile a comprehensive checklist of and photo guide for ahermatypic scleractinian Hong Kong, With all data collected, we will evaluate any spatial and temporal patterns in the composition and abundance of ahermatypic Scleractinia Hong Kong, and make management recommendations to the Government based on the findings of the study.