Local phase shift from Acropora-dominant
to Condylactis-dominant community in the Tiao-Shi Reef,
Kenting National Park, southern Taiwan
Received: 12 December 2003 / Accepted: 19 January 2004 / Published online: 2 September 2004
Ó Springer-Verlag 2004


                                                 In 1992 at Tiao-Shi Reef (21° 55¢N, 120° 46¢E),
                                                 Kenting National Park, southern Taiwan, the
                                                 coral community was characterized by sclerac-
                                                 tinian corals with Acropora spp. patches dominant
                                                 between depths of 5 to 15 m (A. muricata, Fig. 1a;
                                                 Dai 1993). This reef has suffered from pressures of
                                                 overfishing, coastline development, and tourism
                                                 in the last two decades (reviewed in Dai 1997).
                                                 ReefCheck-conducted surveys between 2000 and
                                                 2003 indicated that some Acropora patches were
                                                 replaced by the sea anemone, Condylactis sp.
                                                 (Fig. 1b). Statistical comparison of surveys con-
                                                 ducted in 1987 and 1997 demonstrated a signifi-
                                                 cant decrease in the average number of species (21
                                                 to 16), average number of colonies (35 to 29),
                                                 coral coverage (47 to 41), and species diversity
                                                 (2.63 to 2.23) in the Tiao-Shi Reef over a decade
                                                 (Dai et al. 1998, 1999). Areas occupied by
                                                 Condylactis sp. may reduce the recruitment of
                                                 coral larvae, and subsequently delay the recovery
                                                 of coral community. Causes of Condylactis sp.
                                                 outbreak are still unknown, but have been corre-
                                                 lated to the consequences of Typhoon Herb in
                                                 1996, the 1997 mass coral bleaching, landslides,
                                                 sewage run-off, and tourist impact in the Kenting
                                                 National Park (Dai. et al. 1998, 1999). Proper
                                                 management and a long-term ecological research
                                                 plan are endorsed to ensure the recovery of the
                                                 coral community in the Tiao-Shi Reef and the
                                                 sustainability of the Kenting National Park.

                                                 References
                                                 Dai CF (1993) Pattern of coral distribution and
                                                   benthic space partitioning on the fringing
                                                   reefs of southern Taiwan. Mar Ecol
                                                   42:185–204
                                                 Dai CF (1997) Assessment of the present health of
                                                   coral reefs in Taiwan. In: Grigg RW, Birkeland
                                                   C (eds) Status of Coral Reefs in the Pacific. Sea
                                                   Grant Program, University of Hawaii, pp
                                                   123–131
                                                 Dai CF, Kao KM, Chen YT, Chaun ST (1998)
                                                   Changes of coral communities in the Nan-wan
                                                   Bay, Kenting National Park from 1987 to
                                                   1997. Bull Natl Park 8:79–99 (in Chinese)
                                                 Dai CF, Kao KM, Chen YT, Chaun ST (1999)
                                                   Changes of coral communities in the eastern
                                                   and western coast, Kenting National Park
                                                   from 1987 to 1997. Bull Natl Park 9:111–129
                                                   (in Chinese)
Fig. 1a, b a A. muricata patch; b Acropora debris covered by dense sea
anemone, Condylactis sp.
C. A. Chen (&)
Research Center for Biodiversity and Institute of Zoology, Academia Sinica, 115, Taipei, Taiwan
E-mail: cac@gate.sinica.edu.tw
Tel.: +886-2-27899549
Fax: +886-2-27858059
C.-F. Dai
Institute of Oceanography, National Taiwan University, 106 Taipei, Taiwan




Reef sites                                                 Coral Reefs (2004) 23: 508
                                                    DOI 10.1007/s00338-004-0423-9