Apo Reef Marine Natural Park (9746)
Philippines, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2006
National site name: Apo Reef Marine Natural Park
Central coordinates: Latitude: 12.6333, Longitude: 120.4333
System: marine, terrestrial
Area of KBA (km2): 275.57161
Protected area coverage (%): 57.27
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Apo Reef complex is the largest and best preserved atoll-formed reef in the Philippines. It includes Apo Island, and the northern and southern coral reef complex around Cayos del Bajo and Binangaan Islet. The total area of the Apo Reef Marine Natural Park is 15,827 ha, of which 99.82% is water and only 0.18% is land. It has a variety of habitats, including fringing reefs, a small (10 ha) patch of mangroves, a stretch of sandy beach and beach vegetation of coconut palms, scrub and trees. The natural park has been subdivided into three zones. The Strictly Protected Zone includes two areas, the coral sanctuary and the entire Apo Island (including the surrounding waters 500 m from the shore), and will be strictly protected against all forms of exploitation, especially dynamite fishing. The Managed Reserve Zone comprises the bird sanctuaries and the turtle nesting grounds, areas of highest conservation interest in which controlled human activities are permitted and park facilities can be developed. The Multiple-use Zone comprises three areas, the recreation area (dive sites for fish watching, reef appreciation, photography, education and guided tours), the anchorage area and the fishing area.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard. KBA identified in the CI/CEPF Conservation Outcomes booklet for the Philippines Hotspot (2006). Taxonomy, nomenclature and threat category follow the 2004 IUCN Red List.
Additional biodiversity: Several species of seabirds have been reported from Apo Reef, but no information has been found on the populations of these birds there. Non-bird biodiversity: Many marine organisms, including 385 species of fish, have been identified at Apo Reef, and it is a nesting ground for hawksbill turtle Eretmochelys imbricata and green turtle Chelonia mydas.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The Apo Reef complex is the largest and best preserved atoll-formed reef in the Philippines. It includes Apo Island, and the northern and southern coral reef complex around Cayos del Bajo and Binangaan Islet. The total area of the Apo Reef Marine Natural Park is 15,827 ha, of which 99.82% is water and only 0.18% is land. It has a variety of habitats, including fringing reefs, a small (10 ha) patch of mangroves, a stretch of sandy beach and beach vegetation of coconut palms, scrub and trees. The natural park has been subdivided into three zones. The Strictly Protected Zone includes two areas, the coral sanctuary and the entire Apo Island (including the surrounding waters 500 m from the shore), and will be strictly protected against all forms of exploitation, especially dynamite fishing. The Managed Reserve Zone comprises the bird sanctuaries and the turtle nesting grounds, areas of highest conservation interest in which controlled human activities are permitted and park facilities can be developed. The Multiple-use Zone comprises three areas, the recreation area (dive sites for fish watching, reef appreciation, photography, education and guided tours), the anchorage area and the fishing area.
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Intertidal | 5 | |
| Marine Neritic | 90 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Apo Reef Marine Natural Park used to be a popular site for sports scuba divers in the 1970s and early 1980s, but their activities degraded the reef, and tourism has since declined. The practice of dynamite fishing has been reported to be a problem at Apo Reef.