Bunaken National Park Anniversary

Bunaken National Park is a marine park located in the northern part of Sulawesi Island, Indonesia. This park holds a special position within the Coral Triangle, a region renowned for its marine biodiversity. Within its boundaries, Bunaken National Park boasts a diverse array of marine life, including 390 species of coral, along with numerous fish, mollusks, reptiles, and marine mammals. This park serves as a representative example of Indonesia’s tropical aquatic ecosystems, encompassing seagrass plains, coral reefs, and coastal environments.

Background

Established as a national park in 1991, it stands as one of the earliest additions to Indonesia’s expanding network of marine parks. The park encompasses a total area of 890.65 km², with the marine habitat comprising 97% of this expanse. The remaining 3% consists of terrestrial land, housing five islands: Bunaken, Manado Tua, Mantehage, Nain, and Siladen. Additionally, a part of the Tanjung Kelapa coast falls within the southern portion of the park.

Flora and fauna

Bunaken National Park supports a highly diverse coral ecosystem, encompassing both fringing and barrier reef corals. The waters of the park are home to approximately 390 coral species, forming a captivating underwater landscape. A distinctive feature of the park is the 25-50 meter vertical coral wall, providing a habitat for 13 different coral genera. Seaweeds such as Caulerpa, Halimeda, and Padina pavonica species thrive in this environment. Dominant seagrasses, especially around Montehage and Nain islands, include Thalassia hemprichii, Enhallus acoroides, and Thalassodendron ciliatum.

The park’s rich biodiversity extends beyond its coral ecosystems. It boasts a variety of fish species, marine mammals, reptiles, birds, mollusks, and mangrove species. As a prime example of marine conservation, Bunaken National Park stands as a testament to the importance of preserving the world’s oceans and their vibrant ecosystems.

On 14 August 2018, a Google Doodle was created to celebrate the 27th Anniversary of Bunaken National Park.

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