「東沙環礁珊瑚礁生態系重要物種篩選與人工培育」計畫內容

• 計畫主持人所屬單位： 生命科學院 / 漁業科學研究所
• 計畫主持人： 吳育騏 / email: yuchi@ntu.edu.tw
• 經費來源：內政部國家公園署海洋國家公園管理處
• 計畫編號 ：案號：114405
• 計畫起迄日：由 114/05/23 至 115/12/20
• 中文關鍵詞：東沙環礁國家公園；棘冠海星；天敵；生物培育；族群遺傳；親源關係
• 英文關鍵詞：Dongsha Atoll National Park；Crown-of-thorns starfish；Natural enemy；Organism propagation； Population genetics；Genetic relationship

中文摘要：

東沙環礁海域具有國際級之珊瑚礁生態資源，有鑒於珊瑚礁生態之特殊性與脆弱性，且為保護此特殊與珍貴的生態系，並落實國家公園的經營管理，需進行長期生態監測與物種調查及保育工作，以維護其生態系健康並瞭解其現況及變遷趨勢，始能據以擬定有效的保育管理策略，確保東沙環礁海洋生態之永續。海洋國家公園管理處為維護東沙環礁珊瑚礁生態系之健康，持續進行馬蹄鐘螺等之復育，以維持珊瑚礁生態系中珊瑚與藻類族群之平衡。惟113年東沙環礁西南海域出現棘冠海星數量急遽增加之現象，對珊瑚礁生態系造成相當大的壓力與威脅。本計畫期能透過瞭解並篩選東沙環礁海域內之重要物種，除持續針對維持珊瑚與藻類的平衡，建立多樣的物種人工培育模式，更深入篩選對棘冠海星不同生活史階段的天敵，並將其人工培育方式建立系統化操作，透過以維繫完整生態系功能的方式，尋求長期解決棘冠海星爆發課題的經營管理策略。工作項目內容包括：(一)以東沙環礁國家公園範圍內之珊瑚礁生物為目標，依管處現有調查報告進行資源現況分析，並與管處共同篩選出2種以上物種進行人工培育技術研發，並培育至物種發育變態完成之幼體為原則。(二)棘冠海星之生態習性及天敵文獻資料 收集；參照文獻資料及東沙環礁生態環境現況評估東沙棘冠海星可能的天敵種類並篩選出1種以上作為人工培育技術研發，並 培育至物種發育變態完成之幼體為原則。(三)進行東沙環礁海域棘冠海星親源分析，計畫期間以收集不同地點及時間的棘冠海星為原則進行採樣，樣本數應有50隻以上。(四)針對目標物種進行蒐集與人工培育，將其培育模式做系統化，並製成生產技術手冊，以供保存。(五)其他應配合辦理事項或配套措施。

英文摘要：

Dongsha Atoll harbors coral reef ecosystems of international significance. Given the ecological uniqueness and inherent vulnerability of coral reefs, long-term ecological monitoring, species inventory, and conservation measures are imperative to safeguard this critical and irreplaceable ecosystem. These efforts are essential not only for maintaining ecosystem integrity and health, but also for assessing current ecological conditions and detecting long-term trends in ecosystem change. Such knowledge serves as the foundation for formulating evidence-based conservation and management strategies to ensure the long-term sustainability of marine biodiversity within Dongsha Atoll National Park. To this end, the Marine National Park Headquarters has initiated and sustained propagation programs for ecologically important species, such as Charonia tritonis, in order to regulate the population dynamics of algae and corals and to sustain ecological balance within reef systems. However, a marked and abrupt increase in the population of crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) was observed in the southwestern waters of Dongsha Atoll in 2024, posing a significant ecological threat to coral reef resilience and stability. This project aims to advance ecological restoration efforts by identifying and prioritizing key species for artificial propagation to reinforce coral–algae equilibrium. Furthermore, it seeks to identify and cultivate natural predators of A. planci across various life history stages, with the goal of developing standardized breeding protocols. By enhancing biocontrol capacity through ecosystem-based management, this project endeavors to provide a long-term and ecologically sound solution to crown-of-thorns outbreaks. The objectives and tasks of this project include: (1) Artificial propagation of reef-associated species: Based on existing ecological surveys and in collaboration with park authorities, select at least two coral reef-associated species for development of breeding technologies. Cultivation will be carried through to post-metamorphic juvenile stages under controlled conditions. (2) Review of crown-of-thorns starfish ecology and natural enemies: Conduct a comprehensive review of relevant literature concerning the biology, behavior, and natural predators of A. planci. Based on ecological assessments of the Dongsha reef environment and prior studies, identify and select at least one potential predator species for artificial cultivation and developmental rearing to the juvenile stage. (3) Phylogenetic analysis of Acanthaster planci populations: Perform phylogenetic assessments of A. planci individuals collected from multiple sites and time points within Dongsha waters during the study period, with a minimum sampling size of 50 specimens to capture population genetic diversity and origin. (4) Standardization of propagation protocols: Develop systematic and replicable rearing protocols for selected target species, culminating in the production of a technical manual to support future conservation and restoration applications. (5) Implementation of supplementary or supportive measures as needed to ensure the effective execution of the project.