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The Fuvahmulah Biosphere reserve in souther Maldives is known for its incredibly diverse coral ecosystems. The atoll encompasses a variety of biodiversity within its coral, mangrove, and wetlands (also known as Khili) systems. The reef systems are home to significant populations of sharks mainly tiger, thresher, and whale sharks. However, it is the diversity of fish that is immensely significant with over 1,200 species found within this atoll. The Fuvahmulah biosphere reserve plays an important role for migratory birds with over 167 species found and five of which are endemic.Fuvahmulah has hard underlying bedrock on its outer rim areas, composed primarily of hardened coral and sand conglomerates. The geology of Fuvahmulah shows that the surface of the island is in the form of a very shallow bowl with two water bodies known locally as ‘kilhis’ at medial low points, making up two small linked sub-catchments. These two water bodies,1) Bandara Kilhi, and 2) Dhandi Magu Kilhi are surrounded by marshes, covered by thick layers of peat and mud. Coconut palms, trees and shrubs grow around the marshes. The marshes are covered by Cladium sp and an unknown species of fern that is suspected to be an exotic invasive species brought to the island sometime in the 20th century.Due to the absence of a lagoon between the outer reef edge and the island beaches, the island topography is affected by strong wave action from all sides. These unusual oceanic conditions have resulted in the famous “Thoondu”, an area of fringing reef that extends from the northern point of the island and the pebble beach with unique shiny small pebbles that are not seen in any other place in Maldives.