Satellite view of the South China Sea   South China Sea, between the Philippines, Borneo, Vietnam, and China Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests   50 square miles (100 square kilometers) -- about the size of Washington DC Critical/Endangered

· Islands in Demand
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
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Islands in Demand

Everyone wants a piece of this tropical ecoregion. China, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Taiwan all have claimed ownership of these islands because of their rich fishing grounds and oil deposits. But these islands really belong not to governments, but to the turtles and the birds that live there.

Special Features

This ecoregion actually contains two island groups÷the Paracel Islands off the coast of Hainan and Vietnam and the scattered Spratley Islands off the west coast of Palawan to the east of southern Vietnam. Coral reefs are the predominant structure of these islands; the Spratleys contain over 600 coral reefs in total. Little vegetation grows on these islands, which are subjected to intense monsoons. Yet the marine ecosystems are relatively untouched.

	When not directly threatened, green turtles can live for a long time. Females do not reach maturity in the wild for 15 to 50 years. This is also the largest of the hard-shelled turtles; nesting females can weigh up to 185 kg, or more than 400 pounds.

Wild Side

Both the green turtle and hawksbill once inhabited these islands in large numbers, but they have since been subjected to heavy commercial exploitation. Because of their remoteness and small size, these islands are not home to any large mammals. They are, however, an important stopover for many migratory birds. Unfortunately, the South China Sea Islands are still largely a mystery. Scientists have focused their research on the marine environment, but the ecology of the landscape is still relatively unknown.

Cause for Concern

Military groups in the Spratleys have engaged in environmentally damaging activities such as shooting turtles and seabirds, raiding nests, and fishing with explosives. The collection of rare medicinal plants and wood and hunting for the wildlife trade are common threats to the biodiversity of the entire region, including these islands. Coral habitats are threatened by pollution, over-exploitation of fish and invertebrates, and the use of explosives and poisons as fishing techniques.

For more information on this ecoregion, go to the World Wildlife Fund Scientific Report.