2011 Philippine Biodiversity Expedition

Shallow Water Team 
Led by Dr. Terry Gosliner, the shallow water team dove at sites within marine protected areas and sites that are not protected to document species diversity and richness. They investigated the variety of zooxanthellae (microscopic algae) in a variety of organisms. Zooxanthellae lend their color to host corals. A lack of zooxanthellae, or coral bleaching, is a sign of a stressed reef. Additionally, they searched for a new genus of pygmy pipehorse and a new species of eel.

• Fishes: Dr. Healy Hamilton, Dave Catania, Dr. Kent Carpenter, Dr. Demian Willete, and Don Dumale
• Mollusks: Dr. Terry Gosliner and Dr. Brian Simison
• Coelenterates: Dr. Gary Williams, Dr. Wilfredo Y. Licuanan, Clarissa Reboton, and Katrina Luzon
• Echinoderms: Dr. Rich Mooi and Jay Gorospe
• Crustacea: Dr. Bob Van Syoc and Marivene Manuel Santos
• Annelids: Chrissy Piotrowski
• Zooxanthellae: Dr. Terry Gosliner, Dr. Gary Williams, Dr. Brian Simison, and Dr. Michele Weber
• Nudibranchs: Elizaldy Maboloc, Inggat Laya Calisagana, Rafael Dumalan, and Vanessa Knutson
• Invertebrates: Peter Cadapan, Val Borja, and November Romena
• Sponges: Joseph Comendador​

Deep Water Team 
Led by Dr. Rich Mooi, the deep water team spent nine days aboard the MV DA-BFAR trawling and trapping in protected and unprotected waters to understand the species diversity and richness. They surveyed benthic habitats to 2000 m in depth. The deep water is less known than the shallow waters and scientists were excited for their new discoveries.

• Fishes: Dave Catania, Dr. Tomio Iwamoto, Dr. John McCosker, Vincent Hilomen, and Don Dumale
• Coelenterates: Dr. Gary Williams
• Mollusks: Dr. Terry Gosliner
• Echinoderms: Dr. Rich Mooi, Ludivina Labe, and Zenaida Salazar
• Crustacea: Dr. Bob Van Syoc and Marivene Manuel Santos
• Annelids: Chrissy Piotrowski
• Other: Dr. Rachel Gotanco, Evelyn Mendoza, and Ms. Aissa​

Terrestrial Team: 
Led by Dr. Peter Fritsch, the terrestrial team explored numerous montane forests and freshwater lakes. This was the first significant study in the Philippines by our Botany team. Academy terrestrial research in the Philippines dates back to 1908 with the department of Herpetology.

• Angiosperms: Dr. Peter Fritsch, Dr. Frank Almeda, Dr. Darin Penneys, and Dr. Edwino Fernando
• Bryophytes: Dr. Jim Shevock and Dr. Benito Tan
• Arachnids: Dr. Charles Griswold, Hannah Wood, Dr. Natalia Chousou Polydouri, and Vanessa Knutson
• Reptiles and amphibians: Dr. Rafe Brown, Cameron Siler, David McLeod, and Dr. Arvin Diesmos
• Fish: Dave Catania and Dr. Demian Willete

Education and Media Outreach Team
Led by Dr. Meg Burke, the education and outreach team documented this trip and shared discoveries, explorations, and results. The impact of their work has extended well past the dates of the expedition.

Dr. Meg Burke, Roberta Brett, Stephanie Stone, David McGuire, and Tim Horn

The Steinhart Aquarium Team
Led by Bart Shepherd, the Steinhart Aquarium team surveyed and documented the dive sites that served as the inspiration for the aquarium's 212,000 gallon Philippine Coral Reef exhibit. Steinhart biologists responsibly collected coral, cephalopods, and other invertebrates for captive propagation, research, and display at our Golden Gate Park facility. We are the only public aquarium permitted to collect stony corals in the Philippines. This work built upon previous trips and allowed us to exchange cultured Philippine stony corals with other institutions. Diving Safety Officer Elliot Jessup was on site to assist both the Steinhart Aquarium and the Shallow Water Team.

Bart Shepherd, Matt Wandell, Rich Ross, and Elliot Jessup

The expedition took place in the Philippines, a mega-diverse country with over 7,100 islands. Climate change, increased fishing pressure, increased urbanization, and increased logging are some of the factors contributing to this area being a threatened hotspot.

Shallow Water
Within Balayan Bay are the municipalities of Mabini and Tingloy, better known as Anilao. Anilao is well known among scuba divers for its rich biodiversity and abundant marine life. In fact, the living Philippine Coral Reef in the museum is modeled after the reefs in this area. The shallow waters are known to be the “center of the center” of global diversity for sea slugs and shallow-water fishes. There are more species of soft corals at just one dive site in the expedition area than there are in all of the Caribbean. The team visited 30 different dive sites during their time here. 

Deep Water
Departing from Batangas, on the island of Luzon, the team embarked on a nine day exploration of the deep waters. Traveling through the Verde Island Passage, South China Sea and Mindoro Strait, the scientists dropped traps and trawls as deep as 2000m. Because the diversity of marine life is less known compared to the shallow waters, we were excited to discover what exists in the deep.

The expedition compared diversity richness in marine protected areas and in waters without protection.

Terrestrial and Fresh Water
Due to its geological past, the Philippines is actually a composite of several terrestrial centers of species diversity, each supporting unique assemblages of plants, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, many of which remain undocumented. The team explored six different sites, including a volcano and crater lake. The freshwater lake was once part of the sea. Many of the species within it, once lived in saltwater, including a sea snake. As time passed and the lake became isolated, some species adapted to freshwater (sea snake and sardine).

Document Biodiversity 
In order to protect, we need to understand what exists. Scientists documented species diversity (how many species exist), ecosystem diversity (number, type and structure of species in a particular area) and genetic diversity (total gene characteristics). It’s critical to get these data as a baseline for future needs.

Discover New Taxa
Scientists estimate that more than 70 percent of the species on this planet have yet to be discovered. In fact, our scientists have been diving in the Philippines since 1992 and continue to discover new species on every trip.

Inform Conservation Priorities
Our research can assist in helping the Philippine government and private/public entities make sustainable development and conservation-related decisions. For example, our data can be used to define the impact of allowing agriculture in natural areas (species replacement, water needs, and more).

Develop New Plant & Animal Husbandry
A Steinhart Aquarium team joined the scientists in the field. Our biologists have permits to collect live species for our Philippine Coral Reef. These unique species are on display for visitors and some may be used for captive breeding research. Our live corals started as fragments (or clippings) of live coral, less than 10 cm long. We grew them behind the scenes and added them to our exhibit. We and our Filipino colleagues are able to support aquarium trade needs with minimal impact.

Disseminate Results
This expedition included an enormous level of education and outreach. While in the Philippines, we held local community education forums, teacher professional development workshops, and had a capstone symposium for the entire expedition. At the Academy we had: a live webcast from the field; special activities at the Science in Action exhibit, in the Project Lab and at the Naturalist Center; in addition to all of our educational elements (lesson plans, classroom kits, and trainings). Education materials were shared with Filipino colleagues.