An international study published in Nature Scientific Reports has identified soft corals in the West Philippine Sea and Benham Bank as among the most diverse in the world.
The research analyzed over 4,000 samples collected from more than 40 countries, with Philippine samples gathered between 2019 and 2021 by scientists from the UP Marine Science Institute and the IMBiBE Laboratory.
The findings highlight the Philippines, particularly the West Philippine Sea and Benham Bank, as key hotspots for soft coral biodiversity in the Indo-Pacific region.
Researchers emphasized the role of soft corals as indicators of environmental change and called for more scientific attention to their study.
Despite their abundance, soft corals remain understudied in the Philippines, prompting local initiatives to train researchers and expand knowledge on their taxonomy and ecological importance.
Source: PhilNews24 | June 30, 2025
