Spratly Islands ecosystem
The Spratly Islands Ecosystem is a complex and diverse marine environment located in the central South China Sea, encompassing an area rich in biodiversity and natural resources. Spanning approximately 155,000 square miles, this region features numerous coral reefs, shoals, and submerged banks that support a wide array of marine life, including sea turtles, seabirds, and various fish species. The islands are claimed by multiple nations, including China, Vietnam, and the Philippines, which complicates conservation efforts and raises geopolitical tensions.
The terrestrial aspects of the islands are less studied, but they are characterized by limited vegetation, primarily due to the harsh climatic conditions marked by intense monsoons. Human activities, especially military presence and overfishing, pose significant threats to the fragile ecosystems. The potential for oil and gas reserves beneath the sea further intensifies the competition among nations for control.
Efforts are being discussed to establish an international marine park in the Spratly Islands, which could aid in conservation and help sustain fish populations vital to regional fisheries. This initiative highlights the potential for collaborative management of the area to protect its unique ecological heritage while addressing the ongoing challenges posed by human activity and climate change.
Subject Terms
Spratly Islands Ecosystem
Category: Marine and Oceanic Biomes.
Geographic Location: South China Sea.
Summary: This marine environment, including more than 750 reefs, islets, atolls, cays, and islands, has a rich ecosystem, but is mired in a tug-of-war between several nations.
The Spratly Islands are located in the central region of the South China Sea. In Vietnam, they are known as the Truong Sa Islands, in the Philippines as the Kalaya’an Island Group, and in China as the Nansha Archipelago. Ownership of the islands is disputed by China, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei (Darussalam), and Taiwan. Also, it is important to note that Japan receives 90 percent of its oil shipped through this area. Each of these nations claim some or all of the islands, along with their adjacent marine territories and resources. Despite disputed ownership, the Spratly Islands and surrounding waters have remained prolific marine ecosystems, with many unique reefs, fish, and other marine species.
Geography and Climate
The reefs of the Spratly Islands are spread over 155,000 square miles (400,000 square kilometers) in a region measuring about 500 miles (800 kilometers) from north to south and 560 miles (900 kilometers) from east to west. There are eight low sandy islands, 26 reefs, 21 shoals, and 10 submerged banks, with a total land area above water of less than 2 square miles (5 square kilometers). This is because most of the reefs in the Spratly Islands are submerged at high tide. Atolls here have high species diversity, including many fish, seabirds, and turtles. Ongoing industrial development and additional surveys suggest that there are significant reserves of oil and natural gas beneath the ocean floor here.
The Spratly Islands have a southern tropical climate, with an average annual temperature of 81 degrees F (27 degrees C). Summer is from May to August, with an average temperature of about 86 degrees F (30 degrees C). Winter is not much cooler, with an average temperature of 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). The islands have a seven-month dry season and a five-month rainy season. Southeast monsoon winds blow from March to April, with southwest monsoon winds from May to November. Few of the islands have substantial freshwater resources.
Flora and Fauna
The Spratly Islands encompass several hundred coral reefs in one of the world’s most diverse seas. The marine environment is a breeding ground for sea turtles, birds, marine mammals, and tuna. It is thought that the larval form of marine invertebrates in this area may supply other marine ecosystems throughout the South China Sea. In the future, the Spratly Islands may play a crucial role in seeding and restoring some of the over-harvested marine populations throughout the South China Sea.
Much is known about the marine environment, but less has been recorded about the terrestrial environment here. Little vegetation grows naturally on these islands, which are subject to intense monsoons. The few larger land surfaces have tropical and scrub forests and grasses. Several islands were in the 1930s covered with shrubs, mangroves, coconut, and pineapple. Papaya, banana, and palm may have been cultivated on some of the islands in more distant history. A few islands have been developed as small tourist resorts; soil has been added and trees planted. Very few humans occupy this marine region on a regular basis, however, with the exception of several military establishments.
Marine turtles and many species of seabirds visit the islands. The green turtle and hawksbill turtle are still found here. Seabirds use the islands for nesting, breeding and overwintering. These avians include streaked shearwater, brown booby, red-footed booby, great crested tern, and white tern.
Human Impact
The terrestrial and marine ecosystems in the Spratly Islands are under stress from increasing human activities. Military groups that occupy the islands on behalf of different countries shoot turtles and seabirds, and raid birds’ nests for eggs and young. Harvesting of rare medicinal plants and cutting of timber are additional threats. The marine environment is under stress from overfishing and the use exploitative methods of harvesting fish and invertebrates, such as the use of bottom trawling, explosives, or poison.
The danger of rising sea levels due to global climate change threatens to permanently submerge many of these landforms. More immediate threats to the region appear to be from the strategic importance of location, with seven nations in persistent conflict over the area eying the value of shipping lanes, fisheries, and ocean bed mineral and hydrocarbon resources.
An international marine park has been suggested for portions of the Spratly Islands. If accepted by the countries claiming ownership, this designation could safeguard fish, birds, turtles, and other fauna. The ecological benefits to the biome could also extend to commercial interests, by helping to ensure a steady supply of young fish and invertebrates for regional fisheries.
Bibliography
Gyo Koo, Min. Island Disputes and Maritime Regime Building in East Asia: Between a Rock and a Hard Place. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer Science and Business Media, 2010.
Hong, Nong. United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and Ocean Dispute Settlement: Law and Politics in the South China Sea. New York: Routledge, 2012.
Lally, Mike. “Spratly Islands Strategic Importance and Rising Sea Levels.” Inventory of Conflict and Environment Case Studies 226 (December 2010).
Tkachenko, Konstantin S., Duong Thuy Hoang, and Hoi Nguyen Dang. "Ecological Status of Coral Reefs in the Spratly Islands, South China Sea (East Sea) and Its Relation to Thermal Anomalies." Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, vol. 238, 2020. DOI: 10.1016/j.ecss.2020.106722. Accessed 2 Sept. 2022.
United States Department of Energy: Energy Information Administration. “South China Sea Energy Data, Statistics, and Analysis—Oil, Gas, Electricity, Coal.” March 11, 2008. http://www.eia.gov/emeu/cabs/South‗China‗Sea/pdf.pdf.