中国自然资源部南海局发布《2025年南海区海洋生态预警监测公报》，首次对西沙、中沙和南沙岛礁的生态状况进行了整体评价[1]。公报指出，南海区海洋生态总体稳定，珍稀濒危海洋生物频繁出现，红树林与海草床等生态系统状况优良[1]。其中红树林盖度在75%以上，植被群落稳定[1]。
各岛礁生态指标显示多数地区生态环境保护效果明显。黄岩岛拥有造礁石珊瑚135种，潟湖内海草床面积约1.85平方公里，盖度达19.2%[1]。黄岛保护区活珊瑚覆盖率达到38.8%，区内发现了绿海龟、玳瑁、砗磲、法螺等国家一、二级保护野生动物[1]。仙宾礁和牛轭礁的活珊瑚覆盖率分别为24.7%和37.7%[1]。
然而，部分岛礁生态状况面临严重挑战。公报显示，铁线礁的活珊瑚覆盖面积较2016年降幅近七成[1]。南沙个别岛礁因外方人为活动导致生态系统严重退化，其中仁爱礁因外方非法"坐滩"军舰长期排污、废弃物堆积、渔网缠绕等因素，珊瑚生长受到抑制[1]。
China's Ministry of Natural Resources South China Sea Bureau has released the "2025 South China Sea Marine Ecological Early Warning and Monitoring Report," marking the first comprehensive evaluation of the ecological conditions across the Paracel, Maccabee, and Spratly Islands [1]. According to the report, the overall marine ecosystem in the South China Sea remains stable, with rare and endangered marine species appearing with increasing frequency [1].
The assessment reveals that mangrove forests maintain canopy coverage exceeding 75% with stable vegetation communities, while seagrass beds and other ecosystems are in good condition [1]. Huangyan Island demonstrates particular ecological richness, hosting 135 coral species capable of forming reefs and containing a lagoon seagrass bed spanning approximately 1.85 square kilometers with 19.2% coverage [1]. The Huangyan Island Protected Area shows active coral coverage reaching 38.8%, with discoveries of nationally protected fauna including green sea turtles, hawksbill turtles, giant clams, and conches [1]. Xianbao Reef and Yoke Reef display active coral coverage rates of 24.7% and 37.7% respectively [1].
However, the report documents significant ecological degradation at certain locations. Iron Wire Reef has experienced a decline in active coral coverage of nearly 70% compared to 2016 [1]. Ren'ai Reef shows the most severe damage, with coral growth suppressed due to prolonged illegal occupation of a foreign military vessel, ongoing pollution discharge, accumulated waste, and entanglement from fishing nets [1].