The Philippine Seas Biodiversity And Ecological Impacts Of Natural And Anthropogenic Stressors In Tropical Reef Systems

The Philippines is located in a region called the Coral Triangle; an area of exceptional importance as it is recognized as the global center for marine biodiversity. Within this region, the Philippines is also known as the center of this center. The marine resources are made up of coral reefs, seagrass beds, seaweeds, invertebrates, fisheries, and many others. Unfortunately, the Philippines is facing challenges to conserve its marine biodiversity due to overfishing, destructive fishing practices, and mariculture-derived eutrophication and coastal acidification, among others. These human activities coupled with climate change pose serious threats and possible decimation of its marine biodiversity.