Why We Care
The Algal Reef Has The Potential To Be a World Natural Heritage
Why it is so special to be a world heritage natural area
A LANDSCAPE WITH OVER 7000 YEARS OF HISTORY
Coral reefs grow approximately 1 cm per year, while algal reefs grow much slower at less than 1 cm in 20 years. The Taoyuan algal reef system has built up over 7500 years and is still thriving. It’s a priceless natural asset of Taiwan.
UNIQUE REEF ENVIRONMENT
Across the world, there are many reef-building creatures with most of them being scleractinian corals. It’s very rare that reefs are solely built up of coralline algae. The algal reef coastline in Taoyuan is composed mainly of algal species called crustose coralline algae (CCA) and is quite unique among the world’s marine ecosystems. Because algal reefs grow extremely slow with CCA forming stacked layers over the surface of the reef, the reef is highly porous, making it home to many marine creatures.
RICH BIODIVERSITY
The Datan algal reef is home to many marine creatures and has a very high biodiversity. It is home to an endangered coral species, Polycyathus chaishanensis, and is the breeding and spawning area of hammerhead sharks that are listed on the IUCN Red List of endangered species. The Datan algal reef is also part of migration routes and spawning areas of some migratory birds such as the Little Tern. A recent study recorded: Macroalgae: 49 species. Fishes: 34 species, 22 families Crabs: 52 species, 14 families Macroinvertebrates: over 50 species, 44 families, 8 phyla And many unknown marine creatures that await to be uncovered.
Whether we should conserve the algal reef ecosystem?
THE ALGAL REEF ECOSYSTEM IS POTENTIAL BLUE CARBON THAT FACILITATES CARBON SEQUESTRATION
The crustose coralline algae (CCA) in algal reefs can capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The 7500-year-old algal reef is an asset of Taiwan, as well as a precious treasure of the world. The algal reef ecosystem can help fight back against climate change.
RICH BIODIVERSITY PROVIDES STABLE ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
The Datan algal reef is home to many marine creatures and has a very high biodiversity. It is home to an endangered coral species, Polycyathus chaishanensis, and is the breeding and spawning area of hammerhead sharks that are listed on the IUCN Red List of endangered species. The Datan algal reef is also part of migration routes and spawning areas of some migratory birds such as the Little Tern. A recent study recorded: Macroalgae: 49 species. Fishes: 34 species, 22 families Crabs: 52 species, 14 families Macroinvertebrates: over 50 species, 44 families, 8 phyla And many unknown marine creatures that await to be uncovered.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS (LNG) TERMINAL WILL PUT THE ALGAL REEF COASTLINE IN PERIL
The CPC Corporation of Taiwan plans to build an LNG terminal in Datan. The total area of the construction plot is 891 hectares, stretching out to the sea. It will completely destroy the algal reef ecosystem. And groynes built along with the construction of the offshore port will endanger the nearby Guanxin Algal Reefs Ecosystem Wildlife Refuge and Baiyu algal reef. The government should correct inappropriate development policies and establish Datan algal reef as a nature reserve. We must preserve these valuable natural assets and save the ocean for us all as well as future generations.
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