Abstract

As a genus of Cholorophyta in the family CodiaceaeUdoteaceae,Halimeda is an important alga in the tropical shallow seas around the world. As a representative plant molecule of the biodiversity of coral ecosystem, Halimeda is also an important producer of calcium carbonate and a kind of important reefbuilding plants. Based on a review of the recent ten years of investigation and research on Halimeda, this paper reports the ecological characteristics of Halimeda in the coastal reef of Shidao, Xisha Islands. We found in the shallow reef that the Living Halimeda recovered naturally after the stop of harbor construction and dust emission for 3 years, indicating that Halimeda was a sensitive indicator of the relationship between harbour construction and natural restoration of the environment.