Marine algal diversity of the South China Sea: a new database project

The South China Sea is strategically located at the crossroads of maritime commerce within Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam and the Philippines. Within its basin are numerous islets and reefs which have been subject to territorial claims by some of the bordering countries. To diffuse political tension among claimants, and to promote the sharing of knowledge of South China Sea marine resources, a program for scientific explorationn and cooperation was initiated in 1997. Among the initiatives under this program is the survey of marine biodiversity in the South China Sea beginning with joint expeditions to the various islands, thereby generating baseline biodiversity information. The marine algal flora of the islets within the South China Sea as well as the coastlines of bordening countries is the subject of a new database project to document the rich marine flora. The project involves the diificult process of compiling widely scattered published species records from all possible sources. Thus far, about 1,500 species names have been accounted for. The next stage of the project involves the uppdating of the species nomenclature to involve the difficult process of compiling widely scattered published species records from all possible sources. Thus far, about 1,500 species names have been accounted for. The next stage of the project involves the updating of the species nomenclature to confirm with currently accepted names. The projected output is a regional catalogue on the marine benthic algae of the South China Sea with important information on distribution and ethnobotany. This database will be made available on the Internet. This paper discusses the numerous challenges and problems associated with the project and seeks to solicit a wider regional networking among interested botanists and institutions.