Most Valuable Coral Reef In The World

Researchers are staggered by the amount of life supported by a cluster of reefs in a remote archipelago off Indonesia.

1 minute read

May 17, 2002, 11:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"The scientists have just submitted a report which estimates that more than 1,100 species of fish inhabit the area, along with 600 species of mollusc and 450 different species of coral. The diversity of sealife among the Raja Ampat islands is described by the study's lead researcher, Dr Gerald Allen, as staggering... The extraordinary diversity of life in the area stems from the archipelago's position at the crossroads of oceans. The waters mark a meeting point for species from the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and western Indonesia."

Thanks to Laura Kranz

Wednesday, May 15, 2002 in BBC News

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