Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the largest freshwater wetland systems in the Philippines, comprising an extensive complex of marshes, swamp forests, lakes, and river channels within the Agusan River basin. The site supports large congregations of waterbirds during the wet season, with Asian Waterbird Census data confirming globally significant populations of Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia exceeding the 1% flyway population threshold, highlighting its importance for migratory species dependent on inland wetlands. 

In addition to its role for migratory birds, the sanctuary supports a diverse range of freshwater and forest species, including nationally important populations of Philippine Duck Anas luzonica and significant crocodile populations. The ecological integrity of the marsh is closely linked to its hydrological function, providing flood regulation and water storage at the landscape scale, but is increasingly threatened by agricultural encroachment, logging, and unmanaged resource use, underscoring the need for integrated watershed management and wetland restoration.

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