Abstract: Coral reef ecosystem is overused for its high biodiversity and beautiful underwater landscape. To evaluate its service value is very important in the effective management and sustainable use of the ecosystem. This paper reviewed the research advances in coral reef ecosystem service and its value as well as relevant evaluation methods. The value types associated with coral reef ecosystem service and the 5 commonly used evaluation methods were introduced, and the distribution and characteristics of coral reef in China were summarized. According to the present situation of the coral reef ecosystem in China, the significance of developing the researches on coral reef ecosystem service and its value evaluation was discussed.

Key words: Coastal areas of Southeast China, Alexandrium sp., Cysts, Distribution, Germination