The Global Reef Expedition: Palau

The coral reefs of Palau hold approximately 400 species of hard corals, 300 species of soft corals, and 1400 species of reef fish. Palau is internationally renown for its beautiful landscapes and seascapes as well as its biological significance to the environment. The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation undertook its third expedition with the International League of Conservation Photographers in this fabled archipelago, working with iLCP Fellow Keith Ellenbogen.  Read more about this expedition on our iLCP National Geographic Voices blog.

This is a closeup view a hard coral (Fungia sp.) with its tentacles fully extended. Its bright colors are determined by the photosynthetic algae within its tissue. Fungia is one of the few hard corals that is made of a single polyp.

This is a closeup view a hard coral (Fungia sp.) with its tentacles fully extended. Its bright colors are determined by the photosynthetic algae within its tissue. Fungia is one of the few hard corals that is made of a single polyp.