南沙群岛珊瑚礁浮游动物多样性与群落结构

珊瑚礁是地球上已知的海洋生物多样性最高的生态系统,为了深入分析珊瑚礁的浮游动物多样性和群落结构,2004年5月5-15日在南沙群岛渚碧礁布设10个大面站(漏湖、礁坪各5个)和1个连续站(位于礁坪),使用网目孔径分别为169 μm和505 μm的两种浮游生物网进行垂直拖网采样.结果表明:共鉴定浮游动物种类96种和幼虫17个类群(或类型),其中桡足类最多,达65种,其次是幼虫;浮游动物数量丰富-根据169 μm网具样品的数据,平均丰度高达926.0±1,155.8 inds./m3,优势类群依次是桡足类、被囊类和幼虫,优势种为奥氏胸刺水蚤(Centropages orsinii)、珍妮纺锤水蚤(Acartia shuzheni)、长尾住囊虫(Oikopleura longicauda)、梭形住囊虫(O.fusifornis)和腹足类面盘幼虫(Gastropoda veliger);渚碧礁浮游动物空间分布差异相当显著,漏湖区形成与礁坪区不同的群落,前者种类多、丰度高、优势种突出、均匀度低,而后者则完全相反,浮游动物群落的空间变化是由珊瑚礁礁盘的空间异质性所造成.浮游动物昼夜变化明显,夜间出现的种数和平均丰度分别是日间的4.6和46.2倍.浮游动物群落以终生浮游生物的种类和数量占多数,它们来源于礁外海水,有的也属于礁栖类型.在珊瑚礁中,中小型浮游动物无论在种类还是丰度方面都占有非常重要的位置.     

三亚珊瑚礁分布海区浮游生物的群落结构

为了更好地了解珊瑚礁区生物群落应对环境变化的生态响应机制,以及浮游生物群落结构与珊瑚礁发展发育的关系,我们于2006年10月26日至11月10日对三亚珊瑚礁保护区9个有珊瑚礁分布的站点进行了浮游生物群落结构的调查.共鉴定出浮游植物种类61属130种(包括变种、变型),其中硅藻门48属101种,甲藻门10属25种,蓝藻门2属3种,金藻门1属1种.硅藻门的角毛藻属(Chaetoceros)种类最多,根管藻属(Rhizosolenia)的种类次之.调查海区浮游植物的细胞丰度范围为348-11,320个/L,平均为3,247个/L.在浮游植物群落中硅藻占绝对优势,平均丰度为3,230个/L,占总密度的99.5％.调查海区共鉴定出浮游动物76种,其中桡足类29种,水母类17种,浮游幼虫10种,毛颚类7种,被囊类6种,浮游腹足类4种,十足类、多毛类和介形类各1种.调查海区浮游动物的密度范围为43-190个/m3,平均为114个/m3.优势类群为桡足类、各类幼虫和毛颚类,平均分别占浮游动物总密度的28.5％,27.7％和13.6％.各站位浮游植物的多样性指数和均匀度平均分别为3.98和0.70,浮游动物的多样性指数和均匀度平均分别为4.37和0.87.鹿回头和大东海海域的浮游植物密度大,而生物多样性指数低.活的造礁石珊瑚种数和覆盖率高的站点的浮游生物多样性也较高.     

渭河流域浮游动物群落结构及其水质评价

分别于2017年10月和2018年6月对渭河流域内12个采样点的浮游动物种类、物种密度、生物量和水温、电导率、溶解氧浓度和pH等水质指标进行调查, 并利用生物多样性指数法对水质进行评价。结果显示, 共鉴定出57种浮游动物(原生动物11种、轮虫33种、枝角类7种、桡足类6种)。优势种为萼花臂尾轮虫Brachionus calyciflorus。枯水期浮游动物密度变化范围在0.72—7.84 ind./L, 平均密度为(2.79±2.11) ind./L; 浮游动物生物量为0.38—6.15 mg/L, 平均生物量为(2.31±2.64) mg/L; CCA分析表明, 水温、溶解氧、海拔和电导率与渭河流域浮游动物群落结构有明显的相关性; Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、Margalef丰富度指数分别为1.07、0.69。丰水期浮游动物密度变化范围在0—179.02 ind./L, 平均密度为(16.66±49.18) ind./L; 浮游动物生物量0—2448.12 mg/L, 平均生物量为(243.96±673.78) mg/L; Shannon-Wiener多样性指数Margalef丰富度指数分别为0.78、1.15。依据浮游动物种类密度和多样性指数对水质进行评价, 结果为渭河水系北道、林家村为中度污染, 魏家堡为重度污染, 咸阳、临潼、华县为轻度污染; 泾河水系杨家坪、雨落坪、张家山为中度污染; 北洛河水系刘家河、交口河、状头为中度污染。     

南四湖浮游动物群落结构特征及其与环境因子的关系

为探讨南四湖浮游动物多样性特征及其与水质的相关性,于2012年夏季(7月)和冬季(12月)对南四湖浮游动物的群落结构进行了系统研究,结合历史数据,分析了南四湖浮游动物群落的多样性特征和时间变化。共采集到浮游动物163种,其中,轮虫78种,原生动物65种,枝角类17种,桡足类3种。夏季记录浮游动物种类数(141种)高于冬季(105种)。从四个湖区来看,微山湖浮游动物种数最多(102种),其次是南阳湖(95种)和昭阳湖(80种),独山湖(73种)较少。南四湖浮游动物全年平均密度为2 192 ind/L,平均生物量为2.27 mg/L。除原生动物外,其他三类浮游动物夏季的平均密度和生物量都高于冬季。采用丰富度指数、Shannon-Wiener指数和均匀度指数对浮游动物多样性进行了评价,结果均显示,南四湖浮游动物多样性夏季高于冬季。通过回归分析发现,总氮是影响浮游动物密度的主要因素,总氮和水温是影响浮游动物生物量的主要因素,p H和电导率是影响浮游动物多样性的主要因素。     

不同湖泊演替过程中浮游动物数量及多样性的研究

作者对长江中下游的湖北省保安湖的扁担塘、桥墩湖区、青菱湖的有草区(称南青菱湖)和无草区(称北青菱湖)及黄家湖等五个湖泊(区)浮游动物的种类组成、密度、多样性进行了研究。扁担塘常见浮游动物104种,桥墩湖107种,南青菱湖89种,北青菱湖73种,黄家湖88种,浮游动物的种类均随着水草生物量的减少而下降。浮游动物的密度均随着水草生物量的减少而增多。上述湖泊(区)浮游动物无论是种类组成还是密度均以小型的原生动物和轮虫占绝对优势。浮游动物多样性指数的变化与水草的丰度密切相关。随着湖泊水草生物量的增加,浮游动物的多样性指数也随之而增加。       

虾稻综合种养系统浮游动物群落结构及其与环境因子的关系

为探究虾稻综合种养(integrated crayfish-rice co-culture,ICRC)系统浮游动物的群落结构特征及其主要影响因素,对潜江市典型ICRC稻田渔沟和田面水体的浮游动物进行了季度研究,并分析了浮游动物和浮游植物、水体理化因子之间的相关性。结果显示:(1)共采集浮游动物60种,分别包含原生动物、轮虫、枝角类和桡足类12、28、10、10种(属),其中,优势类群为剑水蚤目无节幼体、桡足幼体以及蚤状溞(Daphnia pulex);Shannon-Wiener指数、Margalef指数和Pielou指数的年均值分别为1. 48、3. 42和0. 55;(2)浮游动物密度和生物量的变化范围分别为7. 65～1309. 50 ind./L、0. 08～50. 04 mg/L,年均值分别为360. 0 ind./L、17. 45 mg/L,桡足类和枝角类在密度和生物量上均占有绝对优势;(3)浮游动物物种数、多样性指数(田面除外)、密度和生物量均表现出明显的季节差异,其中密度和生物量在春季显著最高,相关性分析表明浮游动物物种数和资源量主要受总磷、浮游植物密度与生物量的影响;(4)浮游动物的物种数、多样性、密度和生物量在渔沟和田面两种生境间无明显差异。本研究表明ICRC系统中有丰富的大型浮游动物资源未得到利用,同时鉴于浮游动物可作为小龙虾早期生活史阶段的食物来源,需进一步研究秋冬季浮游动物变化,以及如何培育和合理利用此阶段的浮游动物以促进幼虾生长、提高存活率。     

退化土地植被恢复群落物种多样性与生物量分配格局

研究了湘西北女儿寨小流域7种典型植被恢复群落生物量的空间分配格局、物种多样性特征及其相互关系。结果表明:1)润楠次生林乔木层生物量最高,马尾松天然林灌木层生物量最大,油桐人工林草本层生物量最高,乔木层最低,毛竹-杉木林灌木层与草本层生物量最小,群落总生物量以马尾松天然林群落最高,荒草灌丛群落最低。2)乔木层物种以润楠次生林最丰富,多样性指数最高,物种分布最均匀;灌木层物种丰富度以毛竹-杉木混交林最高,油桐人工林多样性与均匀度指数最大,优势度最小,荒草灌丛群落的物种丰富度、多样性及均匀度最低;草本层物种丰富度以油桐人工林最高,马尾松天然林最低,杉木人工林草本层多样性指数与均匀度指数最大,润楠次生林优势度最高;群落总体物种丰富度以油桐人工林最高,润楠次生林群落的多样性指数最高,种群分布最均匀,荒草灌丛群落的多样性、均匀度与优势度都最低。3)女儿寨小流域退化土地物种丰富度与群落生物量之间的关系可用"S"曲线较好地描述,双曲线能较好地描述群落多样性指数、群落均匀度指数与生物量之间的关系,而生态优势度与生物量之间为非性线关系。     

安庆西江浮游动物群落结构及江豚生存状况评估

为了解安庆西江浮游动物群落结构, 进而评价江豚(Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis)的生存状况, 于2015年4月至2016年1月对西江浮游动物和环境因子进行了季节性调查。研究结果表明: (1)共采集浮游动物55种, 其中原生动物13种、轮虫27种、枝角类9种、桡足类6种。4个季节间浮游动物种类数差异较大, 夏季种类数最多, 为39种; 冬季种类数最少, 仅为16种。(2)全年浮游动物平均密度和生物量分别为4115 ind./L和1.735 mg/L, 且均以原生动物和轮虫为主。方差分析结果表明, 不同季节间浮游动物密度和生物量均存在显著差异, 且夏季浮游动物密度和生物量均显著高于其他3个季节。(3)全年共记录优势种12种, 其中原生动物4种、轮虫6种、桡足类2种; 不同季节间浮游动物优势种的组成差异明显。(4)采用浮游动物生物量对水质的评价结果显示西江水体处于中营养状态; 运用Shannon多样性指数和Margalef多样性指数对水质的评价结果显示西江水体处于α-中污状态, 表明西江水质基本上满足江豚生存需求。(5)依据浮游动物的现存量, 估算出西江食浮游动物鱼类的渔产力为54340.2 kg, 相应地可满足36头江豚的营养需求。研究结果不仅有助于了解长江故道这种特殊水体浮游动物的群落特征, 还对迁地保护区江豚的保护有重要意义。     

滴水湖浮游动物群落结构及其与环境因子的关系

为研究上海市滴水湖浮游动物群落结构及其与环境因子的关系,于2012年1—12月对滴水湖进行了一年调查采样。共检出浮游动物33属61种,其中轮虫22属45种,枝角类4属7种,桡足类7属9种。优势种包括10种轮虫,桡足类为中华窄腹剑水蚤(Limnoithona sinensis)和无节幼体,枝角类不形成优势种。浮游动物年均密度为1200个/L,年均生物量为1.67mg/L,种类数、密度和生物量均为春夏两季相对较高。Shannon-Wiener多样性指数H'和Margalef丰富度指数D年均值分别为1.61和1.01,多样性季节差异显著而各样点间差异不显著。相关性分析和多元回归分析显示,水温是影响滴水湖浮游动物群落结构变化的决定性因子,冗余分析(RDA)显示TN、TP、叶绿素a和p H也是影响浮游动物群落变化的重要因素,表明滴水湖浮游动物群落结构的季节变化与水体营养状况密切相关。综合运用水质理化因子、综合营养状态指数、多样性指数及浮游动物优势种对滴水湖进行水质污染水平和富营养化评价,得出2012年滴水湖水质状况属于α-中污型,营养程度为中富营养水平。     

近15年长江口海域海洋生物变化趋势及健康状况评价

对近15年（2004-2018年）长江口海域海洋生物变化趋势进行分析，评价海洋生物健康状况，并对陆源污染物排放与海洋生物变化进行相关性分析。结果表明，（1）长江口海域海洋生物群落结构组成发生了一定变化，与20世纪90年代末相比，浮游植物种类数有所减少，浮游动物、底栖生物种类数有所增加。浮游植物以硅藻为主，但甲藻占比有所增加，2010年以来硅藻、甲藻群落结构进入新的平衡状态；浮游动物以节肢动物为主，主要类群桡足类占比有所下降；底栖生物种类数明显升高。（2）生物多样性总体水平一般，浮游植物多样性指数总体较低，第一优势种的优势度较高；浮游动物多样性指数和丰富度指数多年呈现下降趋势；底栖生物多样性水平一般，优势种渐趋单一。（3）海洋生物总体处于"不健康"状态，主要影响指标为浮游植物密度偏高，浮游动物密度偏低、生物量偏高，底栖动物密度偏高、生物量偏低。生态系统变化与陆源主要污染物排放、营养结构变化及水体富营养化均具有一定的相关性，其中无机氮（DIN）、石油类入海通量与生物健康指数呈显著负相关关系（P < 0.05），无机磷（DIP）与底栖生物生物量呈显著负相关关系。N/P与浮游植物丰度呈显著负相关，但与浮游植物均匀度和多样性指数呈显著正相关；Si/N与浮游植物多样性指数呈显著负相关。海域严重富营养化面积比例与硅藻甲藻种类数比值呈显著正相关关系。     

Comparison of fish assemblages among an artificial reef, a natural reef and a sandy-mud bottom site on the shelf off Iwate, northern Japan

Synopsis Fish assemblages at an artificial reef site, a natural reef site and a sandy-mud bottom site, on the shelf (depth 130 m) off Iwate Prefecture, northern Japan, were surveyed by using a bottom trammel net from May 1987 to March 1993. A total of 12 173 fishes of 48 species were recorded. Physiculus maximowiczi was dominant and comprised 69% of the total numerical abundance. Total fish number was lowest in March at all the 3 sites when P. maximowiczi migrated to deeper and warmer waters. Assemblage equitability and species diversity also varied seasonally in accordance with the abundance fluctuation of P. maximowiczi. P. maximowiczi, Alcichthys alcicornis and Hexagrammos otakii were more abundant at the artificial reef and natural reef sites, while Dexistes rikuzenius and Hemitripterus villosus were more abundant at the sandy-mud bottom site; total fish abundance was largest at the artificial reef site mainly due to the large number of P. maximowiczi. Species richness was similar among sites, but equitability, and consequently species diversity, was lowest at the artificial reef site. The main effect of the artificial reef seemed the attraction of P. maximowiczi from nearby bottoms, especially from natural rocky reefs; its large abundance determined the structure of the artificial reef fish community.     

Population status of giant clams (Mollusca: Tridacnidae) in the northern Red Sea,Egypt

Throughout their range, giant clams (family Tridacnidae) are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic impacts and natural disasters, but little is known about their population status. In this first assessment of the tridacnid population at Abu Sauatir in the northern Red Sea, a total of 491 m² were surveyed and >200 clams recorded. Tridacna maxima was the only species found. The population's live:dead ratio was 3:1. Overall clam density was 0.08?±?0.008 live and 0.02?±?0.007 dead individuals per 0.25 m². Greatest densities occurred on the reef flat in 1 m depth (live), and on the northern reef slope in deeper waters (dead). On the slope, live clam density decreased significantly, whereas dead clam density increased significantly with depth. Sizes of live and dead individuals differed significantly. Live clams ranged from 1 to 30 cm (median 5 cm). Juveniles ≤2 cm (8.2% of the population) and individuals >11 cm occurred on the reef slope but not on the reef flat. Live clam sizes did not differ significantly between reef sites. Dead clam size ranged from 2 to 15 cm (median 6.5 cm). 2.1% of the empty shells were ≤2 cm long. Dead clam sizes differed significantly between 5 and 10 m depth on the northern reef slope. The low clam abundance (live and dead) in the shallowest and most easily accessible areas of the reef flat, combined with small sizes, strongly suggest artisanal reef-top gathering for meat and shells.     

Comparison of coral diversity between big and small atolls: a case study of Yongle atoll and Lingyang reef,Xisha Islands,central of South China Sea

The South China Sea (SCS) includes large areas of extensive coral reef development but its reefs are still poorly known. Yongle atoll is the biggest typical atoll in the Xisha Islands, central of SCS. Lingyang Reef is an isolated small atoll within the whole big Yongle atoll. A total of 144 and 119 coral species were recorded at big Yongle atoll and small Lingyang Reef, respectively. The real coral richness might be higher because species accumulation curve did not saturate. The coral diversity pattern was similar between big Yongle atoll and small Lingyang Reef. Coral communities fell into three clusters, consistent with their habitats on reef slope, reef flat and lagoon slope. The highest coral diversity was observed on reef slopes and the lowest coral diversity was found on lagoon slope. Genera richness was a better proxy for representing coral species diversity on both the big and small atoll but percent live coral cover was not a robust proxy on the small atoll, which only explained 24% of species diversity. This study demonstrated high coral diversity with consistent pattern along habitat types, as has been shown from many other reefs. While far from exhaustive, the study allows first glimpses on how much biodiversity is contained on SCS coral reefs, and hopes to give an impetus to their conservation. The study also suggests that simplified surveys at a small scale and the use of genera richness as an effective proxy for overall diversity can indeed provide important information to rapidly monitor and evaluate the coral diversity in remote locations.     

Contrasting patterns of reef utilization and recruitment of coral trout (Plectropomus leopardus) and snapper (Lutjanus carponotatus) at One Tree Island, southern Great Barrier Reef

Patterns of abundance, age structure and recruitment of coral trout (Plectropomus leopardus) and snapper (Lutjanus carponotatus) were described in different environments, which varied in benthic cover, in a 12-yr study at One Tree Island. It was hypothesized that both taxa would show strong preferences to different environments and benthic cover and that patterns would be consistent through time. Plectropomus leopardus were abundant on the reef slope and seaward edge of the lagoon, where live coral cover was high, and recruitment was generally low, in all environments. The population was sustained by a trickle of recruits, and total abundance varied little after 10 to 25 yr of protection in a no-take area, suggesting P. leopardus had reached an environment-related carrying capacity. Protogynous P. leopardus recruited to shallow environments at sites with 20% or more hard live coral and age data indicated the abundance of fish on the reef slope was from redistribution. Most recruits of gonochoristic L. carponotatus (<150 mm Standard length, SL) were found in the lagoonal environments, and adults were rare on the reef slope. Abundance of recruit L. carponotatus and P. leopardus did not correlate with percent cover of live and soft coral within environments. Recruits of L. carponotatus were usually rare in all lagoonal environments, but in 2003, many recruits (80 to 120 mm SL) were found in lagoonal environments with low and high hard live coral cover. A substantial proportion of the population (age max 18 yr) was from strong recruitment events. In 2003 and 2004, total abundance of L. carponotatus was supported by 1 year class 51.7 and 41% respectively. The utilization of environments and types of substrata varied among taxa and in some cases among life-history stages. There was also temporal variation in the importance of some environments (e.g. Lagoon Centre).     

Macrobenthic communities in a tropical lagoon (Tahiti, French Polynesia, central Pacific)

Soft bottom communities were sampled quantitatively in Tahiti lagoon (French Polynesia) at 18 stations in five zones around the island over 1 year. In addition, various environmental parameters (silt/clay fractions, organic content, chlorophyll and phaeopigment content) were sampled at the same stations over 2 years. The temporal and spatial variabilities of the macrobenthic communities are described and related to these environmental parameters. Each zone ran from the fringing reef to the inner flat of the barrier reef. The macrofauna exhibited a high richness (392 taxa) with an average mean biomass of 1.8 g AFDW m⁻² (grams ash-free dry weight per square metre). These communities exhibited temporal but not seasonal fluctuations. The biomass of the macrofauna increased from the fringing to the barrier reefs, and the density of individuals was significantly higher on the fringing reefs. Ordination techniques highlighted four groups of stations characterised by distinctive species composition, density and biomass. The first group included stations located on the inner flat of the barrier reef and in the shallow lagoon area and was characterised by highly diverse communities dominated by polychaetes. The second group primarily included stations from the industrial and hotel zones. This group had the lowest diversity and was also dominated by polychaetes, especially the capitellid Dasybranchus sp. 1. The third group was dominated by gastropods and bivalves. The final group of stations was represented only by station 51, in zone 5, which was characterised by mobile soft sediments and wave action and was dominated by the decapod Hippa cf. pacifica. Presumably, these mobile sediments facilitate the development of this benthic community, which does not occur elsewhere in the lagoon. The diversity and biomass of these benthic communities are low compared with most other areas in the South Pacific. Accepted: 10 May 2000     

Notes on the feeding behaviour and swimming pattern of Manta alfredi (Chondrichthyes,Mobulidae) in the Red Sea

The feeding behaviour and the swimming pattern of the reef manta (Manta alfredi) are described based on video recordings conducted in Sudan, Red Sea, Indian Ocean, during June 2001. Three circular swimming patterns are described: horizontal circle pattern, inclined circle pattern and double circle pattern, related to feedings on zooplankton distributed in the water column. The observation of circle-like swimming patterns for reef manta rays in shallow waters expands our knowledge about M. alfredi and suggests that the distribution and abundance of zooplankton influence the occurrence and group size of this species in the studied area, as reported from other localities for Manta species.     

Skeletal composition of modern lagoon sediments in New Caledonia: Coral,a minor constituent

The skeletal composition of 273 sediment samples, collected within 14615 km² of lagoon habitat in New Caledonia (Ouvea and Chesterfield atolls and eastern and northern lagoons of the main island), was analyzed. Major constituents were molluscs (bivalves and gastropods), foraminifers, andHalimeda plates. The quantitative examination showed that, even in a pure coralline structure such as the two atolls studied, coral debris and calcareous algae, potentially produced within the barrier reef, never constituted a dominant element in the lagoonal sediments. Distribution of coral debris showed that coral is significant only close to the barrier reef (i.e. passes and back-reef slope). From the point of view of sedimentology, this suggests that the major role of the barrier reef is to provide a physical barrier that allows the development and preservation of lagoon sediments. Sedimentation within the lagoon of grains coarser than 63 µm is the result of in situ organic production combined with low hydrodynamic control.     

Tropical zooplankton in the highly-enclosed lagoon of Taiaro Atoll (Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia)

 Nocturnal zooplankton assemblages around Taiaro Atoll were sampled over six nights during February 1994. Replicate zooplankton samples were collected at windward and leeward locations in the enclosed lagoon and adjacent ocean with a metered net (85 cm diameter, 500 μm mesh) towed for 15 min at 5 m depth. The zooplankton community in the lagoon was very different from that in the ocean. Oceanic samples contained 50 mostly holoplanktonic taxa (diversity index, H′=2.62; evenness index, J′=0.67). Lagoonal samples contained 19 mostly meroplanktonic taxa (H′=1.54, J′=0.52) with three taxa (decapod larvae; an ostracod, Cypridina sp.; a copepod, Acartia fossae) contributing >90% of the individuals. Unlike the ocean, zooplankton distributions in the lagoon were not homogenous; instead spatial patterns were apparently formed by the interaction between hydrodynamic processes and species-specific behaviour. Accepted: 28 August 1997     

Zooplankton of the Patagonian slope and adjacent waters in the autumn

In autumn, from March until May 1988 in the Patagonian shelf and slope zones, the system of the water current was modified and water temperature decreased. The biomass of seston and abundance of zooplankton decreased simultaneously, especially those of the subantactric species Calanus simillimus. Zooplankton organisms started their descent to deeper waters. The Antarctic species Rhincalanus gigas was common in the upper layers in March. In May, R. gigas was rare and occurred in deeper layers. Subtropical zooplankton species dominated in the shelf zone, while subantartic species dominated in the slope zone within the Falkland current. In May, the abundance of shelf species in the slope zone increased due to weakening of the Falkland current and its dislocation to the east. The zooplankton biomass and abundance increased at the zone of water divergence in the east and at the slope frontal zone in the west.     

Spatial pattern of coral diversity in Luhuitou fringing reef, Sanya, China

84 quadrats from 5 vertical transects of Luhuitou fringing reef are investigated in detail by using video-quadrat and indoor-interpretation methods. The results show that (1) the reef consists of 69 species of hermatypic corals belonging to 24 genera and 13 families which are unevenly distributed in abundance. (2) Among all the corals, Porites lutea is the most dominant species with importance value percentage up to 36.62%; Porites and Acropora are dominant genera with importance value percentages 43.85% and 22.88%, respectively. (3) There exist distinct spatial differences in coral communities. Both the coral covers and coral diversity indices on the northeastern transects are higher than those on the central and southern transects. (4) Coral communities also show remarkable zonal characteristics with less coral species occurring on reef flat than on reef slope. The importance value percentage of the sole dominant coral genus, Porites, is over 50%, while on the reef slope, the importance value percentages are 28.33% for the first dominant genus Acropora and 26.71% for the second dominant genus Porites. Our further analysis suggests that the spatial and zonal differences of coral diversity pattern are correlated with both natural environmental changes and human activities. The shallow water reef flat is frequently exposed at low tide and it receives more anthropogenic influences (including dredging and trampling) than the deep water reef slope. Thus, the coral community on the reef flat is not as well developed as that on reef slope. The relatively poor coral covers and coral diversity indices on the central and southern transects are closely related to heavy human activities around these sites such as aquaculture, fishing and coastal sewage drainage. Therefore, the impact of human activities must be taken into account in developing strategies for the protection of this coral reef.