Climate change and pollution are significantly degrading coral reefs across the globe, resulting in an annual coral cover loss of 2%. The Philippines is situated in the Coral Triangle, the most biodiverse marine ecosystem in the world, and the coral reefs contribute $1.4 bn to the annual GDP and provide food and livelihoods for more than 50 million Filipinos. Despite this, the impact of climate change on coral reefs in the Philippines has received surprisingly little attention. Marine Conservation Philippines plans to address this shortfall by expanding our research capabilities and begin to monitor long-term trends and short-term variability in coral reef biogeochemistry; the responses of coral reefs to chronic pollution; and assess reef resilience, in conjunction with our ongoing coral reef monitoring program. Whilst our data can be compared to reefs around the world, it will also contribute to the Regional Climate Change Action Plan, local vulnerability assessments, model validation, and Marine Protected Area establishment.

We are actively seeking collaborators, funding, and guest researchers – please contact us.