Aklan’s underwater treasures reveal rich marine biodiversity

Beneath the turquoise waters of Aklan lies a vibrant underwater world where colorful coral reefs, lush seagrass meadows and sprawling mangrove forests support marine life while helping coastal communities cope with climate change.

These interconnected ecosystems are more than picturesque natural attractions.

They provide habitats for marine species, support fisheries, protect shorelines and contribute to the ocean’s ability to absorb and store carbon.

The ocean is Earth’s largest active carbon reservoir, holding approximately 38,000 gigatons of carbon, according to World Ocean Review, a scientific publication featuring research and analyses by marine scientists and institutions.

One gigaton is equivalent to 1 billion metric tons.

“The ocean, with around 38,000 gigatons (Gt) of carbon (1 gigaton=1 billion tons), contains 16 times as much carbon as the terrestrial biosphere, that is all plant and the underlying soils on our planet,” said worldoceanreview.com, an authority in ocean science which publishes articles authored by renowned scientists and institutions.

The ocean’s enormous capacity to store carbon plays a critical role in regulating Earth’s climate, although rising temperatures and ocean acidification continue to threaten marine ecosystems.

Healthy coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangrove forests can also strengthen coastal resilience by reducing wave energy, stabilizing sediments and providing habitats that support marine biodiversity.

These natural defenses are particularly important for coastal communities exposed to typhoons, coastal erosion and other climate-related hazards.

However, marine ecosystems remain vulnerable to prolonged marine heat waves and unusually high sea temperatures, including those associated with El Niño events.

Mapping Aklan’s marine wealth

To better understand and protect these underwater resources, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in Aklan conducted habitat validation, assessment and mapping activities in 2017-2018, 2020 and 2024-2025.

The activities covered coral habitats, seagrass beds and naturally occurring mangrove stands across eight coastal municipalities: Buruanga, Malay, Nabas, Ibajay, Tangalan, Numancia, Batan and New Washington.

The assessments also included Boracay Island, one of the country’s leading tourism destinations.

Results showed that Aklan’s coastal waters contain approximately 1,884.54 hectares of coral habitats, highlighting the province’s significant marine biodiversity.

Boracay Island accounted for the largest documented coral habitat, covering 763.30 hectares.

These underwater ecosystems provide shelter, feeding grounds and breeding habitats for numerous marine species, including fish and other organisms that help sustain coastal fisheries.

Coral reefs also serve as natural barriers that can reduce the force of incoming waves and help protect vulnerable shorelines.

Their ecological and economic importance makes their protection essential for communities whose livelihoods depend on fishing, tourism and other marine resources.

Seagrass meadows sustain life beneath the waves

Beyond its coral reefs, Aklan has 451.37 hectares of documented seagrass beds that support marine biodiversity and help maintain healthy coastal ecosystems.

PENRO Aklan recorded nine seagrass species in Tangalan, seven in Nabas and 10 in Malay.

These underwater flowering plants provide food and shelter for marine animals while helping stabilize the seabed.

Among the species found in the province are sickle seagrass (Thalassia hemprichii) and noodle or syringe seagrass (Syringodium isoetifolium).

These seagrasses contribute to the food supply of herbivorous marine animals, including green sea turtles and dugongs.

Their dense underwater meadows also provide habitats for juvenile fish, shellfish and other marine organisms.

Another important species is pineleaf halodule, also known as fiber-strand seagrass (Halodule pinifolia).

This fast-growing species can help stabilize sandy seabeds and contribute to the recovery of disturbed coastal habitats, including areas affected by strong waves and storms.

Seagrass ecosystems also absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and store carbon in their vegetation and underlying sediments.

This process makes seagrass beds an important component of coastal blue-carbon ecosystems, which naturally capture and store carbon over long periods.

However, their ability to perform these functions depends on maintaining healthy habitats and minimizing damage from pollution, coastal development and other disturbances.

Mangrove forests strengthen coastal protection

Mangroves form another vital part of Aklan’s coastal environment.

PENRO Aklan mapped approximately 909.015 hectares of naturally occurring mangrove stands across the province.

Batan recorded the largest portion, covering 339.49 hectares, followed by New Washington with 323.60 hectares.

Together, these two municipalities account for more than 663 hectares of the province’s documented natural mangrove stands.

Mangrove forests provide breeding and nursery grounds for fish, crabs and other marine organisms while supporting the livelihoods of coastal communities.

Their extensive root systems trap sediments, reduce coastal erosion and help lessen the impact of waves and storm surges.

Mangroves also store substantial amounts of carbon in their trunks, roots and waterlogged soils, contributing to climate change mitigation.

When combined with seagrass beds and coral reefs, these forests form an interconnected coastal ecosystem that supports marine biodiversity and strengthens shoreline protection.

Each habitat performs a distinct ecological function, but their combined benefits are particularly important for coastal communities exposed to extreme weather and environmental degradation.

Healthy mangroves, seagrasses and coral reefs can improve the ability of coastal environments to recover from disturbances, although their resilience has limits when faced with prolonged warming and other severe climate pressures.

“Our mangroves, seagrasses and corals work together in maintaining the ecological balance so the planet could adapt to the impacts of climate change. When we keep them healthy, they keep sustaining our very own lives, too,” said DENR 6 OIC Regional Executive Director Ramar Niel V. Pascua.

Protecting Aklan’s coastal future

The habitat assessments conducted from 2017 to 2025 provide valuable baseline information for understanding the extent and distribution of Aklan’s coastal and marine ecosystems.

These findings can help local government units identify priority conservation areas, strengthen marine resource management and design appropriate environmental protection measures.

The data can also guide coastal planning decisions involving tourism development, fisheries management, habitat rehabilitation and climate adaptation.

For communities in Buruanga, Malay, Nabas, Ibajay, Tangalan, Numancia, Batan and New Washington, protecting these ecosystems means safeguarding natural resources that contribute to food security, livelihoods and disaster resilience.

Effective conservation also requires coordination among local governments, national agencies, fishing communities, tourism stakeholders and environmental organizations.

The DENR’s mapping and validation activities provide a scientific foundation for these efforts by helping decision-makers understand which habitats require protection, restoration or closer monitoring.

Aklan’s coral reefs, seagrass meadows and mangrove forests reveal a coastal landscape whose value extends far beyond its remarkable underwater colors.

They sustain marine life, support coastal economies and provide natural defenses in a changing climate.

Protecting them today means ensuring that the province’s coastal communities and future generations continue to benefit from the life thriving beneath its waters. (DENR-6)