Reclamation-affected Reefs’ End Feared

(PNA) — A Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) specialist sees basis for the foreign department’s concern about adverse environmental impacts of China’s reported reclamation activities in several coral reef areas of West Philippine Sea.

BMB knowledge management specialist Jerika Velasco noted reclamation poses a threat to coral reefs as this alters natural conditions essential for these ecosystems’ health and survival.

“Reclamation prevents sunlight from reaching the reefs and even changes flow of current in those areas,” she said.

She noted both conditions spell disaster for reefs and the marine life these support.

In a statement this week, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported China’s “massive” reclamation activities are causing “irreversible and widespread damage” to biodiversity and ecological balance in West Philippine Sea, the area also known as South China Sea.

“China has pursued these activities unilaterally, disregarding peoples in the surrounding states who have depended on the sea for their livelihood for generations,” DFA noted.

Among reported Chinese reclamation activities in the area are creation of artificial islets atop reefs there.

Velasco sees nil chance for survival of reefs in such situation.

“Building atop reefs will block out sunlight — it’s like burying these ecosystems alive,” she said.

Even if only part of a reef is affected by reclamation, she said there’s no guarantee this ecosystem will recover and heal fast enough.

“Recovery will be difficult for unhealthy reefs,” she noted.

According to experts, coral polyps are soft-bodied organisms that attach to rocks on the sea floor then divide into thousands of clones to eventually form reefs over hundreds of years.

Reefs are found in tropical waters at a distance deep enough for the sun’s rays to reach the algae these ecosystems host.

Corals get most of the nutrients these need from byproducts of the algae’s photosynthesis.

“Sunlight is a component of photosynthesis,” said Velasco.

She noted no sunlight means the end of photosynthesis, loss of nutrients for the corals and eventual death of the reefs these formed.

Reports also said China’s reclamation activities in West Philippine Sea include expansion of some reefs there.

Velasco warned reclamation materials dumped in marine waters can block coral spores’ dispersal to nearby areas, preventing these from developing and eventually forming natural reefs.

“Change in flow of current due to such deposits’ presence will affect marine biodiversity as well,” she continued.

According to DFA, China’s reclamation activities in West Philippine Sea already destroyed some 300 hectares of coral reef systems there.

Estimated economic loss from such destruction will reach some US$ 100 million annually, DFA also said.

Velasco agrees reefs’ destruction will result in economic losses.

Reefs are tourist attractions and serve as foraging ground for marine species including commercially important ones, she said.

A 2011 study identified at least 800 reef fish species in Palawan province’s Calamianes Islands alone.

US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said reefs support more species per unit area than any other marine environment.

Such species are potential sources of new medicine for various ailments, noted NOAA.

NOAA also said aside from economic services, coral reefs provide environmental services.

Reefs protect adjacent shorelines from wave action to prevent erosion, property damage and loss of life, NOAA said.

DFA called on China to stop its reclamation activities in West Philippine Sea, noting the agency can’t accept that country’s claim that its activities haven’t damaged the environment there.

“We should not allow China to distract us from the real issues in South China Sea,” said DFA.

Such issues are China’s illegitimate nine-dash line claim as well as “unilateral and aggressive behavior in asserting that claim as exemplified by its massive and unrestrained reclamation,” it added. (PNA) LGI/CJT/EDS