These are some of the most wild places left on the planet

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1. 1h ago

   Scientists Discover Rare Untouched Ecosystems in the Pacific Ocean

   Researchers have identified two remarkably intact coral atolls in the Pacific Ocean that remain largely untouched by humans. Located within the territory of the Marshall Islands, the Bikar and Bokak atolls teem with diverse marine life across multiple habitats. Scientists published these findings in Frontiers in Marine Science, noting that these isolated environments offer a rare glimpse into healthy ocean ecosystems. Experts suggest these remote locations can serve as a biological reference point to understand what has been lost in other degraded marine areas around the world.

   Why it matters

   Human activity has left marks on nearly every corner of the globe, stretching from deep sea floors to the highest mountain peaks. Finding environments that have escaped this heavy footprint provides researchers with vital baseline data. These pristine locations now function as protected areas, helping conservationists evaluate the scale of damage elsewhere in the world's oceans.

   What is confirmed

   • Scientists discovered two remarkably untouched coral atolls, Bikar and Bokak, located on the territory of the Marshall Islands.
   • A new study in Frontiers in Marine Science identified these remote Pacific atolls as some of the most intact ocean ecosystems remaining in the world.
   • The isolated atolls teem with life across various habitats and may serve as a reference for what has been lost elsewhere.
   • The newly discovered wild ecosystems in the Pacific Ocean are now a protected area.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Lonely Planet has identified these specific atolls as part of its top travel destinations for 2027.
   • Tokyo University of Science Distinguished Professor Kenso Soai is involved in the marine conservation project.

   What to watch next

   • Further mapping data and research publications detailing the biodiversity of the Bikar and Bokak atolls.
   • Updates on management and enforcement measures for the newly established protected areas in the Marshall Islands.
   Sources used for this update (13)

   1. www.lonelyplanet.com — 50 Best Places to Visit in 2027: Lonely Planet's Top Travel Destinations
   2. www.eurekalert.org — Tokyo University of Science Distinguished Professor Kenso Soai wins the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2026
   3. ScienceAlert — Scientists Discover Two Remarkably Untouched Worlds Hidden in The Pacific
   4. The Washington Post — These are some of the most wild places left on the planet
   5. hpenews.com — Scientists find ‘last wild and healthy ecosystems’ left on planet
   6. Phys.org — Scientists find some of the 'very last wild and healthy ecosystems' in the world's oceans untouched by humans
   7. BBC Wildlife Magazine — Scientists studied extremely remote atolls in the Pacific, almost untouched by humans – and found them teeming with life
   8. www.newsargus.com — Scientists find ‘last wild and healthy ecosystems’ left on planet
   9. www.goodnewsnetwork.org — Two of the ‘Last Wild Ecosystems’ Untouched by Humans Are ...
   10. www.euronews.com — ‘Treasures for the entire planet’: Scientists map life in one ...
   11. www.frontiersin.org — Scientists find some of the ‘very last wild and healthy ...
   12. Phys.org — Scientists find some of the 'very last wild and healthy ecosystems' in the world's oceans untouched by humans
   confidence 95%