PHILIPPINE MARINE BIODIVERSITY

PHILIPPINE MARINE BIODIVERSITY

“THE WORLDS EPIC CENTER OF MARINE BIODIVERSITY”

In the Philippines there are “468 scleractinian corals, 1,755 reef-associated fishes, 648 species of mollusks, 19 species of sea grass and 820 species of algae (Fish base 2008, BFAR-NFRDI-PAWB, 2005)”

“Fish base records indicate that the country harbors about 3,212 fish species (list still incomplete), 731 of which are considered commercially important”

The Philippines has the second highest sea grass diversity in the world, second only to Australia.

Philippines Fourth National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity (2009)

ENDANGERED SPECIES

The leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), sometimes called the lute turtle, is the largest of all living turtles (as well as the largest extant sea turtle) and is the fourth largest modern reptile behind three crocodilians.

The largest turtles on Earth, growing up to seven feet (two meters) long and exceeding 2,000 pounds (900 kilograms).

The dugong (Dugong dugon) is a large marine mammal which, together with the manatees, is one of four living species of the order Sirenia.

The giant clam, Tridacna gigas (known as pā’ua in Cook Islands Māori), is a clam that is the largest living bivalve mollusk. T. gigas is one of the most endangered clam species.

The Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus), locally known as ‘butanding’, is the largest known cartilaginous fish in the world, reaching an average length of 9-12 meters.

ENDEMIC SPECIES

This is one of the smallest freshwater fishes: males are mature at 9 mm, females at 15 mm. The species used to frequent shady river banks in the Malabon River, Rizal Province, Luzon, Philippines; however, the type locality has been reclaimed and the remaining waters in the area are heavily polluted; the species is considered extinct in the Philippines (Rainer Froese, pers. comm., 2004).

Sardinella tawilis (sometimes obscurely referred to as the Freshwater Sardinella) is a freshwater sardine found exclusively in the Philippines. It is unique in that it is the only member of the family Clupeidae that is known to exist entirely in freshwater. Locally, they are known in Filipino as tawilis

CORAL REEFS

Coral reefs are the epicenter for immense amounts of biodiversity, and are a key player in the survival of an entire ecosystem. They provide various marine animals with food, protection, and shelter which keep generations of species alive

The Philippine coral reef area, the second largest in Southeast Asia, is estimated at 26,000 square kilometers and holds an extraordinary diversity of species. Scientists have identified 915 reef fish species and more than 400 scleractinian coral species, 12 of which are endemic.

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park

The Tubbataha Reef Marine Park covers 130,028 ha, including the North and South Reefs. It is a unique example of an atoll reef with a very high density of marine species; the North Islet serving as a nesting site for birds and marine turtles. The site is an excellent example of a pristine coral reef with a spectacular 100-m perpendicular wall, extensive lagoons and two coral islands.

THREATS

OVEREXPLOITATION or overfishing is the removal of marine living resources to levels that can not sustain viable populations. Ultimately, overexploitation can lead to resource depletion and put a number of threatened and endangered species at risk for extinction.

POLLUTION is the introduction by man, directly or indirectly, of substances or energy into the marine environment resulting in deleterious effects of such nature as to endanger human health, harm to living resources and ecosystems, hinder marine activities - including fishing -, and impair or interfere with amenities or other legitimate uses of the environment

HABITAT DESTRUCTION is a process that describes the emergences of discontinuities (fragmentation) or the loss (destruction) of the environment inhabited by an organism. Marine ecosystems are experiencing high rates of habitat loss and degradation, and these processes are considered as the most critical threat to marine biodiversity

The loss of resident species.

The loss of food resources.

The loss of ecosystem functions provided by the habitat.

NON-NATIVE SPECIES INVASIONS. The introduction of harmful aquatic organisms to new marine environments is believed to be one of the four greatest threats to the world's oceans. An alien or non-native species is one that has been intentionally or accidentally transported and released into an environment outside of its historic or resident geographical range or habitat. Such species are described as 'invasive' if they are ecologically and/or economically harmful.

OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION and development are ongoing activities fueled by the human population's dependence on fossil fuels. Mining operations both on land and in the sea are driven by the increasing global demand of natural resources

5 Simple Ways to Help our Marine Biodiversity

1. Bring Your Own

2. Flip the Switch

4. Clean Up Your Act

3. The 3 R's

5. Be a Picky Eater

the end :))

THANK YOU. Ü

prep by: Avegail Lumapat

FAST FUN FACTS

The Philippines forms an ocean region that has long been recognized as the world’s center of marine biodiversity.