The Spratly Islands are a disputed group of more than 750 reefs, islets, atolls, cays, and islands

in the South China Sea.[5] The archipelago lies off the coasts of the Philippines, Malaysia (Sabah), and southern Vietnam. They contain less than 4 square kilometers (1.5 square miles) of land area spread over more than 425,000 square kilometers (164,100 square miles) of sea. The Spratlys are one of 3 archipelagos of the South China Sea which comprise more than 30,000 islands and reefs and which complicate governance and economics in that region of Southeast Asia. Such small and remote islands have little economic value in themselves but are important in establishing international boundaries. No native islanders inhabit the islands which offer rich fishing grounds and may contain significant oil and natural gas reserves. About 45 islands are occupied by relatively small numbers of military forces from the People's Republic of China, Taiwan (ROC), Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia. Brunei has also claimed an exclusive economic zone in the southeastern part of the Spratlys encompassing just one area of small islands on Louisa Reef. This has led to escalating tensions between numerous countries over the disputed status of the islands.

Coral reefs[edit source]

Coral reefs are the predominant structure of these islands; the Spratly group contains over 600 coral reefs in total.[5]

Vegetation[edit source]
Little vegetation grows on these islands, which are subject to intense monsoons.[5] Larger islands are capable of supporting tropical forest, scrub forest, coastal scrub and grasses.[5] It is difficult to determine which species have been introduced or cultivated by humans.[5] Taiping Island was reportedly covered with shrubs, coconut, and mangroves in 1938; pineapple was also cultivated here when it was profitable.[5] Other accounts mention papaya, banana, palm, and even white peach trees growing on one island.[5] A few islands which have been developed as small tourist resorts had soil and trees brought in and planted where there were none.[5]

Wildlife[edit source]
The islands that do have vegetation provide important habitats for many seabirds and sea turtles.[5] Both the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas, endangered) and the Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata, critically endangered) formerly occurred in numbers sufficient to support commercial exploitation.[5] These species reportedly continue to nest even on islands inhabited by military personnel (such as Pratas) to some extent, though it is believed that their numbers have declined.[5] Seabirds use the islands for resting, breeding, and wintering sites.[5] Species found here include Streaked Shearwater (Calonectris leucomelas), Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster), Red-Footed Booby (S. sula), Great Crested Tern (Sterna bergii), and White Tern (Gygis alba).[5] Little information is available regarding current status of the islands seabird populations, though it is likely that birds may divert nesting site to smaller, less disturbed islands. Bird eggs cover the majority of Song Tu, a small island in the eastern Danger Zone.[5] Unfortunately, this ecoregion is still largely a mystery.[5] Scientists have focused their

research on the marine environment, while the ecology of the terrestrial environment remains relatively unknown.[5]

Ecological hazards[edit source]

Political instability, tourism and the increasing industrialization of neighboring countries has led to serious disruption of native flora and fauna, over-exploitation of natural resources, and environmental pollution.[5] Disruption of nesting areas by human activity or by introduced animals, such as dogs, has reduced the number of turtles nesting on the islands.[5] Sea turtles are also slaughtered for food on a significant scale.[5] The sea turtle is a symbol of longevity in Chinese customs and at times the military personnel are given orders to protect the turtles.[5] Heavy commercial fishing in the region incurs other problems. Though it has been outlawed, fishing methods continue to include the use of bottom trawls fitted with chain rollers.[5] In addition, during a recent[timeframe?] routine patrol, more than 200 kg of Potassium cyanide solution was confiscated from fishermen who had been using it for fish poisoning. [not in citation given] These activities have a devastating impact on local marine organisms and coral reefs.[5] Some interest has been taken in regard to conservation of these island ecosystems.[5] J.W. McManus has explored the possibilities of designating portions of the Spratly Islands as a marine park.[5] One region of the Spratly Archipelago named Truong Sa was proposed by Vietnams Ministry of Science, Technology, and the Environment (MOSTE) as a future protected area.[5] The 160 km2 site is currently managed by the Khanh Hoa Provincial Peoples Committee of Vietnam.[5] Military groups in the Spratlys have engaged in environmentally damaging activities such as shooting turtles and seabirds, raiding nests, and fishing with explosives.[5] The collection of rare medicinal plants, collecting of wood and hunting for the wildlife trade are common threats to the biodiversity of the entire region, including these islands.[5] Coral habitats are threatened by pollution, over-exploitation of fish and invertebrates, and the use of explosives and poisons as fishing techniques.[5]