A recent study by American biologists Kent Carpenter and Victor Springer has determined that the Philippines -- which boasts 22,548 miles of coastline -- may lay claim to the title of "most diverse marine ecosystem in the world." In their report, "The Center of the Marine Shore Fish Diversity: The Philippine Islands," the central Philippines -- generally, the Verde Island Passage between Mindoro island and the main island of Luzon -- has a "higher concentration of species per unit area than anywhere else in Indonesia." Some of the other titles bestowed upon the country include:
- It's the "center of marine fish biodiversity."
- The 21-mile Apo Reef is the second largest reef in the world.
- It has the region's most threatened coral reefs, sea grass beds and mangroves: 98% of the country's reefs are threatened while 70% of mangroves have been lost or converted to fish ponds in the past 70 years.
According to local officials, the Philippines' 10,000 square miles of coral reefs contribute $1.064 billion annually to the Philippine economy through direct and indirect services such as fisheries, tourism, and scuba diving. For the curious, following the Philippines in marine biodiversity concentration are Malaysia, Sumatra, and Australia.
