Green A.L. & Mous P.J. 2008. Delineating the Coral Triangle, its Ecoregions and Functional Seascapes. Version 5.0. TNC Coral Triangle

 

The Coral Triangle is the epicenter of marine diversity, and a global priority for conservation. The Coral Triangle, its ecoregions and functional seascapes are delineated for conservation purposes based on best available biological and physical information. The process involved an expert workshop and subsequent advice from 30 international and local scientists, managers and conservationists, including world experts on corals, reef fishes and other invertebrates.

 

The boundary of the Coral Triangle (Figure A) is delineated based on species diversity (corals, reef fishes and other invertebrates), habitat type and diversity, oceanography, geomorphology, bathymetry, sea level fluctuations, and river discharge. It comprises all or part of six countries in Southeast Asia and Melanesia: Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia (Sabah), Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.

 

This is a living document that has and will be updated as new information becomes available. This version includes minor changes to the boundaries of the Coral Triangle, its ecoregions and functional seascapes to be consistent with the Coral Triangle boundary delineated by Veron et al (unpubl. data) and Allen (2007) based on a recent scientific analysis of coral and reef fish biodiversity data.