COP15 conducts in-depth exploration of coral reef restoration in Sanya

Scientists plant corals in the waters off of Wuzhizhou Island. [Photo/Sanya Daily]

The five-day event of COP15 youth biodiversity scientific discovery in Hainan wrapped up in the Sanya Wuzhizhou Island Tourist Area, where young delegates and scientists carried out an in-depth exploration of coral reef restoration.

At the Wuzhizhou Island coral reef restoration practice base, Zhu Yilun, a scenery botanical garden study postgraduate student from Beijing Forestry University, dived into the seabed under the guidance and protection of professional divers and planted coral to contribute to marine ecological restoration.

The on-site investigation of island ecotourism enabled the young delegates to gain a deeper understanding of the vegetation, ecological environment and tourism industry on the island.

The coral reef ecosystem is currently one of the marine ecosystems most obviously impacted by global climate change. It is one of the typical ecosystems with the richest biodiversity and highest production.

The COP15 Youth Biodiversity Scientific Exploration of Hainan's coral reef restoration base was developed concurrently, further fostering the rapid growth of coral reef preservation and restoration inside Sanya in recognition of the importance of coral reef protection for maintaining marine biological balance.

The 15th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity is referred to as COP15. From the applications of 104 organizations in 20 provinces across China, 15 youth delegates and five youth observers were chosen to attend the COP15 youth biodiversity scientific discovery event in Hainan.