Status of Biodiversity of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi

Sulu and Tawi-Tawi flora and fauna region, with its declining biodiversity, is labelled as one of the most depressed countries in the country. Even though this ecoregion is considered to be as one of the biodiversity hotspots identified by DENR for its high endemism and marine biodiversity, the richness of this archipelago in biodiversity is being dejected slowly. Rapid loss of forests, rampant poaching and illegal trade of bird species, and political instability and peace issues that lead to the inaccessibility of the place that hinder conservation program are some of the many reasons why this flora and fauna region is in a quandary.

In the past decade, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi Island had lost its major forest cover.  It has been observed that there is already no forests left in Sulu and a very little area in the eastern part of Tawi-Tawi remained to be forested. According to DENR, almost 78,000 ha of forests have remained in the region. This was due to the brisk deforestation happening in the area. Knowing that there is no protected area in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi islands, the authorities have no control of what is going in this province resulting to the major decline of its biodiversity. Sulu, with 30,839 hectares of forest, have only 757 hectares of upland forests lingering; majority of which are mangrove forests. Tawi-Tawi, having 47,233 ha of forest cover, is hanging by a thread with its 32,142 hectares of upland forests left. This drastic loss of the forested areas has inflicted major damage as avifauna diversity as concerned.

Avifauna

All the EBA's restricted-range species are forest birds, and, although their patterns of distribution between the islands vary, almost every species occurs on Tawitawi.

Of several subspecies endemic to the EBA, Sulu Woodpecker Dendrocopos (maculatus) ramsayi is most distinctive and a candidate for elevation to species rank, and Sulu Hanging-parrot Loriculus (philippensis) bonapartei is also a possible split. Sulu Hawk-owl Ninox philippensis reyi, apart from being clearly distinct from N. philippensis, almost certainly represents the nominate form of a species which occurs on other small islands (N. J. Collar verbally 1997).

Sulu Islands’ Bird Species 

Sulu Island houses 192 bird species, with 6 endemic species and 14 species that are globally threatened. Some of which are the rare Sulu Hornbill and Sulu bleeding-heart.

Spotted Whistling Duck	Dendrocygna guttata
Wandering Whistling Duck	Dendrocygna arcuata
Philippine Megapode	Megapodius cumingii
Blue-breasted Quail	Synoicus chinensis
Red Junglefowl	Gallus gallus
Little Grebe	Tachybaptus ruficollis
White-throated Pigeon	Columba vitiensis
Island Collared Dove	Streptopelia bitorquata
Philippine Cuckoo Dove	Macropygia tenuirostris
Sulu Bleeding-heart	Gallicolumba menagei	Endemic Critically endangered
Pink-necked Green Pigeon	Treron vernans
Pompadour Green Pigeon	Treron pompadora
Nicobar Pigeon	Caloenas nicobarica	Near-threatened
Emerald Dove	Chalcophaps indica
White-eared Brown Dove	Phapitreron leucotis
Dark-eared Brown Dove	Phapitreron cinereiceps	Endemic
Green Imperial Pigeon	Ducula aenea
Grey Imperial Pigeon	Ducula pickeringii	Vulnerable
Pied Imperial Pigeon	Ducula bicolor
Superb Fruit Dove	Ptilinopus superbus
Black-naped Fruit Dove	Ptilinopus melanospilus
Red-tailed Tropicbird	Phaethon rubricauda	Rare/Accidental
Grey Nightjar	Caprimulgus indicus
Large-tailed Nightjar	Caprimulgus macrurus
Philippine Nightjar	Caprimulgus manillensis
Savanna Nightjar	Caprimulgus affinis	Rare/Accidental
Grey-rumped Treeswift	Hemiprocne longipennis
Whiskered Treeswift	Hemiprocne comata
Philippine Spinetailed Swift	Mearnsia picina	Endemic (country/region)  Near-threatened
Pygmy Swiftlet	Collocalia troglodytes	Endemic (country/region)
Glossy Swiftlet	Collocalia esculenta
Fork-tailed Swift	Apus pacificus
Greater Coucal	Centropus sinensis
Lesser Coucal	Centropus bengalensis
Chestnut-winged Cuckoo	Clamator coromandus
Common Koel	Eudynamys scolopaceus
Plaintive Cuckoo	Cacomantis merulinus
Rusty-breasted Cuckoo	Cacomantis sepulcralis
Brush Cuckoo	Cacomantis variolosus
Drongo Cuckoo	Surniculus lugubris
Slaty-legged Crake	Rallina eurizonoides
Slaty-breasted Rail	Lewinia striata
Barred Rail	Hypotaenidia torquata
White-breasted Waterhen	Amaurornis phoenicurus
Watercock	Gallicrex cinerea
Common Moorhen	Gallinula chloropus
Streaked Shearwater	Calonectris leucomelas
Bulwer's Petrel	Bulweria bulwerii	Rare/Accidental
Woolly-necked Stork	Ciconia episcopus
Schrenck's Bittern	Ixobrychus eurhythmus
Cinnamon Bittern	Ixobrychus cinnamomeus
Striated Heron	Butorides striata
Cattle Egret	Bubulcus ibis
Great-billed Heron	Ardea sumatrana
Purple Heron	Ardea purpurea
Little Egret	Egretta garzetta
Pacific Reef Egret	Egretta sacra
Chinese Egret	Egretta eulophotes	Vulnerable
Lesser Frigatebird	Fregata ariel
Great Frigatebird	Fregata minor
Christmas Island Frigatebird	Fregata andrewsi	Critically endangered
Red-footed Booby	Sula sula
Oriental Darter	Anhinga melanogaster	Near-threatened
Beach Thick-knee	Esacus magnirostris	Near-threatened
Pacific Golden Plover	Pluvialis fulva
Kentish Plover	Charadrius alexandrinus
Malaysian Plover	Charadrius peronii	Near-threatened
Lesser Sand Plover	Charadrius mongolus
Greater Sand Plover	Charadrius leschenaultii
Greater Painted-snipe	Rostratula benghalensis
Whimbrel	Numenius phaeopus
Bar-tailed Godwit	Limosa lapponica
Ruddy Turnstone	Arenaria interpres
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper	Calidris acuminata
Red-necked Stint	Calidris ruficollis
Sanderling	Calidris alba
Common Sandpiper	Actitis hypoleucos
Grey-tailed Tattler	Tringa brevipes	Near-threatened
Common Greenshank	Tringa nebularia
Red-necked Phalarope	Phalaropus lobatus
Common Buttonquail	Turnix sylvaticus
Pomarine Skua	Stercorarius pomarinus
Black Noddy	Anous minutus
Sooty Tern	Onychoprion fuscatus
Whiskered Tern	Chlidonias hybrida
White-winged Tern	Chlidonias leucopterus
Roseate Tern	Sterna dougallii
Black-naped Tern	Sterna sumatrana
Common Tern	Sterna hirundo
Greater Crested Tern	Thalasseus bergii
Oriental Honey Buzzard	Pernis ptilorhynchus
Philippine Honey Buzzrad	Pernis steerei
Crested Serpent Eagle	Spilornis cheela
Changeable Hawk Eagle	Nisaetus cirrhatus
Eastern Marsh Harrier	Circus spilonotus
Pied Harrier	Circus melanoleucos
Japanese Sparrowhawk	Accipiter gularis
White-bellied Sea Eagle	Haliaeetus leucogaster
Grey-headed Fish Eagle	Icthyophaga ichthyaetus	Near-threatened
Brahminy Kite	Haliastur indus
Eastern Grass Owl	Tyto longimembris
Brown Boobook	Ninox scutulata
Philippine Boobook	Ninox randi	Endemic (country/region)  Near-threatened
Sulu Boobook	Ninox reyi	Endemic Vulnerable
Romblon Boobook	Ninox spilonotus	Vulnerable
Mantanani Scops Owl	Otus mantananensis	Endemic (country/region)  Near-threatened
Sulu Hornbill	Anthracoceros montani	Endemic Critically endangered
White-bellied Woodpecker	Dryocopus javensis
Greater Flame-backed Woodpecker	Chrysocolaptes lucidus
Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker	Dendrocopos maculatus	Endemic (country/region)
Coppersmith Barbet	Psilopogon haemacephalus
Dollarbird	Eurystomus orientalis
Variable Dwarf Kingfisher	Ceyx lepidus
Blue-eared Kingfisher	Alcedo meninting
Stork-billed Kingfisher	Pelargopsis capensis
Ruddy Kingfisher	Halcyon coromanda
White-throated Kingfisher	Halcyon smyrnensis
Black-capped Kingfisher	Halcyon pileata
Rufous-lored Kingfisher	Todiramphus winchelli	Endemic (country/region) Vulnerable
Collared Kingfisher	Todiramphus chloris
Philippine Cockatoo	Cacatua haematuropygia	Endemic (country/region) Critically endangered
Blue-winged Racquet-tail	Prioniturus verticalis	Endemic  Critically endangered
Blue-crowned Racquet-tail	Prioniturus discurus
Blue-naped Parrot	Tanygnathus lucionensis	Near-threatened
Blue-backed Parrot	Tanygnathus sumatranus
Colasisi	Loriculus philippensis
Red-bellied Pitta	Pitta erythrogaster
Hooded Pitta	Pitta sordida
Golden-bellied Gerygone	Gerygone sulphurea
Scarlet Minivet	Pericrocotus flammeus
Ashy Minivet	Pericrocotus divaricatus
Bar-bellied Cuckooshrike	Coracina striata
Black-bibbed Cicadabird	Edolisoma mindanense	Endemic (country/region) Vulnerable
Pied Triller	Lalage nigra
White-vented Whistler	Pachycephala homeyeri	Endemic (country/region)
Philippine Oriole	Oriolus steerii
Black-naped Oriole	Oriolus chinensis
White-breasted Woodswallow	Artamus leucoryn
Hair-crested Drongo	Dicrurus hottentottus
Tablas Drongo	Dicrurus menagei	Endemic Endangered
Philippine Fantail	Rhipidura nigritorquis	Endemic (country/region)
Long-tailed Shrike	Lanius schach
Black-naped Monarch	Hypothymis azurea
Celestial Monarch	Hypothymis coelestis	Endemic (country/region) Vulnerable
Rufous Paradise-flycatcher	Terpsiphone cinnamomea
Orange-bellied Flowerpecker	Dicaeum trigonostigma
Buzzing Flowerpecker	Dicaeum hypoleucum
Philippine Spiderhunter	Arachnothera flammifera
Brown-throated Sunbird	Anthreptes malacensis
Purple-throated Sunbird	Leptocoma sperata
Olive-backed Sunbird	Cinnyris jugularis
Handsome Sunbird	Aethopyga bella
Dusky Munia	Lonchura fuscans
White-bellied Munia	Lonchura leucogastra
Black-headed Munia	Lonchura malacca
Eurasian Tree Sparrow	Passer montanus
Pechora Pipit	Anthus gustavi
Olive-backed Pipit	Anthus hodgsoni
Red-throated Pipit	Anthus cervinus
Paddyfield Pipit	Anthus rufulus
Grey Wagtail	Motacilla cinerea
Citrine Canary-flycatcher	Culicicapa helianthea
Elegant Tit	Pardaliparus elegans	Endemic (country/region)
Golden-headed Cisticola	Cisticola exilis
Rufous-tailed Tailorbird	Orthotomus sericeus
Ashy Tailorbird	Orthotomus ruficeps
Gray's Warbler	Locustella fasciolata
Lanceolated Warbler	Locustella lanceolata
Striated Grassbird	Megalurus palustris
Oriental Reed Warbler	Acrocephalus orientalis
Pacific Swallow	Hirundo tahitica
Barn Swallow	Hirundo rustica
Yellowish Bulbul	Hypsipetes everetti	Endemic (country/region)
Streak-breasted Bulbul	Hypsipetes siquijorensis	Endangered
Yellow-vented Bulbul	Pycnonotus goiavier
Philippine Leaf Warbler	Seicercus olivaceus	Endemic (country/region)
Arctic Warbler	Seicercus borealis
Yellowish White-eye	Zosterops nigrorum
Everett's White-eye	Zosterops everetti
Striped Tit Babbler	Mixornis gularis
Brown Tit Babbler	Macronus striaticeps
Coleto	Sarcops calvus	Endemic (country/region)
Asian Glossy Starling	Aplonis panayensis
Philippine Magpie Robin	Copsychus mindanensis	Endemic (country/region)
Grey-streaked Flycatcher	Muscicapa griseisticta
Asian Brown Flycatcher	Muscicapa dauurica
Ferruginous Flycatcher	Muscicapa ferruginea
Mangrove Blue Flycatcher	Cyornis rufigastra
Rufous-tailed Jungle Flycatcher	Cyornis ruficauda
Blue Rock Thrush	Monticola solitarius
Chestnut-capped Thrush	Geokichla interpres
Eyebrowed Thrush	Turdus obscurus

List of bird species found in Sulu Islands (source: http://avibase.bsc-eoc.org)

Loss of habitat is thus the main threat to the birds of this EBA, and further losses associated with the economic development of Sulu Archipelago in particular need careful monitoring.

Not surprisingly, all the endemics are considered highly threatened especially Gallicolumba menagei and Anthracoceros montani, which have few recent records from the main islands. It is clear that more fieldwork is necessary to establish the nature of remaining habitat on islands in this important EBA. Other widespread threatened species which occur in the EBA include Blue-naped Parrot Tanygnathus lucionensis (Endangered), Rufous-lored Kingfisher Todirhamphus winchelli (Endangered; Tawitawi may be a stronghold) and Black-bibbed Cicadabird Coracina mindanensis (Vulnerable). The Sulu archipelago is also considered a stronghold for the Philippine Cockatoo Cacatua haematuropygia (Critical; once found throughout the Philippines); several hundred still survive on Tawitawi but the species is declining as a result of illegal logging and shooting (Lambert 1992).

Tawi-Tawi Islands Bird Species

Tawi-tawi is the most important island for the conservation of the threatened and restricted-range bird species of the Sulu archipelago Endemic Bird Area. All but one of these species has been recorded there, and Tawi-tawi retains more extensive forests than anywhere else in the EBA. It is the only place where Sulu Bleeding-heart has definitely been recorded, although there is remarkably little recent information on the status of this elusive species there, the only IBA with a population of Tawi-tawi Brown-dove, and the only IBA where Blue-winged Racquet-tail and Sulu Hornbill have recently been recorded. The relatively large population of Philippine Cockatoo on Tawi-tawi is also vital for the survival of this critically endangered species. The Sulu archipelago endemic Black-billed Hanging-parrot Loriculus (philippensis) bonapartei, which has recently been treated by some ornithologists as a full species, has its largest known population on Tawi-tawi. A reef between Tandubas and Sikubong that becomes very shallow at low tide appears to be important for herons and shorebirds.

Tawi-Tawi islands provide habitat to 171 species, 1 species of which is endemic and 14 are globally threatened.

Wandering Whistling-Duck	Dendrocygna arcuata
Tabon Scrubfowl	Megapodius cumingii
Blue-breasted Quail	Coturnix chinensis
Red Junglefowl	Gallus gallus
Little Grebe	Tachybaptus ruficollis
Bulwer's Petrel	Bulweria bulwerii	Rare/Accidental
Streaked Shearwater	Calonectris leucomelas
Red-tailed Tropicbird	Phaethon rubricauda	Rare/Accidental
Christmas Island Frigatebird	Fregata andrewsi	Critically endangered
Great Frigatebird	Fregata minor
Lesser Frigatebird	Fregata ariel
Red-footed Booby	Sula sula
Oriental Darter	Anhinga melanogaster	Near-threatened
Schrenck's Bittern	Ixobrychus eurhythmus
Cinnamon Bittern	Ixobrychus cinnamomeus
Great-billed Heron	Ardea sumatrana
Purple Heron	Ardea purpurea
Chinese Egret	Egretta eulophotes	Vulnerable
Little Egret	Egretta garzetta
Pacific Reef-Heron	Egretta sacra
Striated Heron	Butorides striata
Osprey	Pandion haliaetus
Barred Honey-buzzard	Pernis celebensis
Oriental Honey-buzzard	Pernis ptilorhynchus
Changeable Hawk-Eagle	Nisaetus limnaeetus
Japanese Sparrowhawk	Accipiter gularis
Brahminy Kite	Haliastur indus
White-bellied Sea-Eagle	Haliaeetus leucogaster
Gray-headed Fish-Eagle	Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus	Near-threatened
Slaty-legged Crake	Rallina eurizonoides
Barred Rail	Gallirallus torquatus
Slaty-breasted Rail	Gallirallus striatus
Plain Bush-hen	Amaurornis olivacea	Endemic (country/region)
White-breasted Waterhen	Amaurornis phoenicurus
White-browed Crake	Porzana cinerea
Eurasian Moorhen	Gallinula chloropus
Beach Thick-knee	Esacus magnirostris	Near-threatened
Pacific Golden-Plover	Pluvialis fulva
Lesser Sand-Plover	Charadrius mongolus
Greater Sand-Plover	Charadrius leschenaultii
Greater Painted-Snipe	Rostratula benghalensis
Common Sandpiper	Actitis hypoleucos
Gray-tailed Tattler	Tringa brevipes	Near-threatened
Common Greenshank	Tringa nebularia
Whimbrel	Numenius phaeopus
Bar-tailed Godwit	Limosa lapponica
Ruddy Turnstone	Arenaria interpres
Great Knot	Calidris tenuirostris	Vulnerable
Long-toed Stint	Calidris subminuta
Red-necked Stint	Calidris ruficollis
Sanderling	Calidris alba
Red-necked Phalarope	Phalaropus lobatus
Pomarine Jaeger	Stercorarius pomarinus
Sooty Tern	Onychoprion fuscatus
White-winged Tern	Chlidonias leucopterus
Whiskered Tern	Chlidonias hybrida
Roseate Tern	Sterna dougallii
Black-naped Tern	Sterna sumatrana
Common Tern	Sterna hirundo
Great Crested Tern	Thalasseus bergii
Metallic Pigeon	Columba vitiensis
Philippine Collared-Dove	Streptopelia dusumieri	Vulnerable
Spotted Dove	Streptopelia chinensis
Philippine Cuckoo-Dove	Macropygia tenuirostris
Emerald Dove	Chalcophaps indica
Nicobar Pigeon	Caloenas nicobarica	Near-threatened
Sulu Bleeding-heart	Gallicolumba menagei	Endemic (country/region)  Critically endangered
Dark-eared Dove	Phapitreron cinereiceps
Pink-necked Pigeon	Treron vernans
Black-naped Fruit-Dove	Ptilinopus melanospilus
Pink-bellied Imperial-Pigeon	Ducula poliocephala	Endemic (country/region) Near-threatened
Green Imperial-Pigeon	Ducula aenea
Gray Imperial-Pigeon	Ducula pickeringii	Vulnerable
Pied Imperial-Pigeon	Ducula bicolor
Chestnut-winged Cuckoo	Clamator coromandus
Plaintive Cuckoo	Cacomantis merulinus
Brush Cuckoo	Cacomantis variolosus
Philippine Drongo-Cuckoo	Surniculus velutinus
Asian Koel	Eudynamys scolopaceus
Greater Coucal	Centropus sinensis
Lesser Coucal	Centropus bengalensis
Mantanani Scops-Owl	Otus mantananensis	Endemic (country/region)  Near-threatened
Brown Boobook	Ninox scutulata
Chocolate Boobook	Ninox randi	Endemic (country/region)  Near-threatened
Sulu Boobook	Ninox reyi	Endemic Vulnerable
Gray Nightjar	Caprimulgus jotaka
Large-tailed Nightjar	Caprimulgus macrurus
Savanna Nightjar	Caprimulgus affinis
Pacific Swift	Apus pacificus
House Swift	Apus nipalensis
Gray-rumped Treeswift	Hemiprocne longipennis	Rare/Accidental
Whiskered Treeswift	Hemiprocne comata
Blue-eared Kingfisher	Alcedo meninting
Variable Dwarf-Kingfisher	Ceyx lepidus
Stork-billed Kingfisher	Pelargopsis capensis
Ruddy Kingfisher	Halcyon coromanda
Black-capped Kingfisher	Halcyon pileata
Rufous-lored Kingfisher	Todiramphus winchelli	Endemic (country/region) Vulnerable
Collared Kingfisher	Todiramphus chloris
Dollarbird	Eurystomus orientalis
Sulu Hornbill	Anthracoceros montani	Endemic (country/region)  Critically endangered
Sulu Woodpecker	Dendrocopos ramsayi	Vulnerable
Buff-spotted Flameback	Chrysocolaptes lucidus
Peregrine Falcon	Falco peregrinus
Philippine Cockatoo	Cacatua haematuropygia	Endemic (country/region)  Critically endangered
Blue-winged Racquet-tail	Prioniturus verticalis	Endemic (country/region)  Critically endangered
Blue-naped Parrot	Tanygnathus lucionensis	Near-threatened
Azure-rumped Parrot	Tanygnathus sumatranus
Blue-breasted Pitta	Erythropitta erythrogaster
Hooded Pitta	Pitta sordida
Golden-bellied Gerygone	Gerygone sulphurea
White-breasted Woodswallow	Artamus leucorynchus
Fiery Minivet	Pericrocotus igneus	Near-threatened
Ashy Minivet	Pericrocotus divaricatus
Bar-bellied Cuckooshrike	Coracina striata
Pied Triller	Lalage nigra
Black-bibbed Cuckooshrike	Edolisoma mindanense	Endemic (country/region) Vulnerable
White-vented Whistler	Pachycephala homeyeri	Endemic (country/region)
Long-tailed Shrike	Lanius schach
Philippine Oriole	Oriolus steerii	Endemic (country/region)
Hair-crested Drongo	Dicrurus hottentottus
Philippine Pied-Fantail	Rhipidura nigritorquis	Endemic (country/region)
Black-naped Monarch	Hypothymis azurea
Celestial Monarch	Hypothymis coelestis	Endemic (country/region) Vulnerable
Rufous Paradise-Flycatcher	Terpsiphone cinnamomea
Barn Swallow	Hirundo rustica
Pacific Swallow	Hirundo tahitica
Citrine Canary-Flycatcher	Culicicapa helianthea
Elegant Tit	Periparus elegans	Endemic (country/region)
Yellow-vented Bulbul	Pycnonotus goiavier
Olive-winged Bulbul	Pycnonotus plumosus
Ashy-fronted Bulbul	Pycnonotus cinereifrons
Yellowish Bulbul	Hypsipetes everetti	Endemic (country/region)
Arctic Warbler	Phylloscopus borealis
Philippine Leaf-Warbler	Phylloscopus olivaceus	Endemic (country/region)
Oriental Reed-Warbler	Acrocephalus orientalis
Gray's Grasshopper-Warbler	Locustella fasciolata
Lanceolated Warbler	Locustella lanceolata
Ashy Tailorbird	Orthotomus ruficeps
Everett's White-eye	Zosterops everetti
Bold-striped Tit-Babbler	Mixornis bornensis
Brown Tit-Babbler	Macronus striaticeps	Endemic (country/region)
Gray-streaked Flycatcher	Muscicapa griseisticta
Ferruginous Flycatcher	Muscicapa ferruginea
Philippine Magpie-Robin	Copsychus mindanensis
Mangrove Blue-Flycatcher	Cyornis rufigastra
Chestnut-tailed Jungle-Flycatcher	Cyornis ruficauda
Narcissus Flycatcher	Ficedula narcissina
Mugimaki Flycatcher	Ficedula mugimaki
Blue Rock-Thrush	Monticola solitarius
Chestnut-capped Thrush	Geokichla interpres	Near-threatened
Eyebrowed Thrush	Turdus obscurus
Asian Glossy Starling	Aplonis panayensis
Coleto	Sarcops calvus	Endemic (country/region)
White-bellied Flowerpecker	Dicaeum hypoleucum	Endemic (country/region)
Plain-throated Sunbird	Anthreptes malacensis
Purple-throated Sunbird	Leptocoma sperata
Copper-throated Sunbird	Leptocoma calcostetha
Olive-backed Sunbird	Cinnyris jugularis
Magnificent Sunbird	Aethopyga magnifica
Handsome Sunbird	Aethopyga bella	Endemic (country/region)
Orange-tufted Spiderhunter	Arachnothera flammifera
Gray Wagtail	Motacilla cinerea
Oriental Pipit	Anthus rufulus
Olive-backed Pipit	Anthus hodgsoni
Pechora Pipit	Anthus gustavi
Red-throated Pipit	Anthus cervinus
Eurasian Tree Sparrow	Passer montanus
Dusky Munia	Lonchura fuscans
White-bellied Munia	Lonchura leucogastra
Chestnut Munia	Lonchura atricapilla

List of birds found in Tawi-Tawi Islands (source: http://avibase.bsc-eoc.org)

Marine Biodiversity

The Sulu Archipelago that includes Sulu and Tawi-Tawi Islands is very rich in terms of marine biodiversity. The seas found in the ecoregion, Sulu Sea and Celebes (Sulawesi) sea is situated in the apex of the Coral Triangle, the world’s center for marine biodiversity and often called as Sulu  Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion. This seascape is one of the 200 priority conservation ecoregions in the world. It provides habitat to 2,000 species of fish – the most diverse collection in the world. It holds 476 species of corals, where the infamous Tubbataha Marine National Park in Sulu Sea is found. More than 10,000 species of crustaceans, 22 marine mammals like whales and dugong, seven of nine species of giant clams, 5 out of 8 species of sea turtles, 27 “true mangroves and 16 of 50 species of seagrasses are found in this marine hotspot.

Sulu Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion