menu.header.image.unacom.logo
 

Journal Articles - UP - MSI

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://repository.unesco.gov.ph/handle/123456789/50

Browse

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
  • Survival and sexual maturity of sexually propagated Acropora verweyi corals 4 years after outplantation
    Ligson, Charlon A.; Cabaitan, Patrick C. (Wiley, 2021-04-19)
    Most coral reef restoration efforts are carried out over 1–2 years, and few have assessed long-term (over 3 years) outcomes. Although studies of outplantation of sexually propagated corals have reported promising initial results, few studies have followed outplanted corals to maturity. Here, we monitored sexually propagated Acropora verweyi corals for 4 years post-outplantation to determine their survival and sexual maturity. These corals were outplanted when 4 months old in two size classes (small = 0.3–0.5 cm; large = 1.0–1.5 cm) at two sites in the northwestern Philippines. Four years after outplantation, the 240 colonies of A. verweyi exhibited 17.9% survival, with mean diameters ranging from 7.48–26.8 cm. Most of the surviving outplants were gravid (81.4% of the 43 colonies) with mean diameters of at least 11.8 cm. Higher survivorship was detected in the initial large size class outplants than in the small ones at the natal site, but not at the other site. However, 4 years after outplantation, there was no significant difference in terms of geometric mean diameter between the initial size classes or between the sites. Results show that 4-month-old outplants of sexually propagated corals can survive until sexual maturity and are already capable of contributing gametes for the potential recovery of degraded coral communities at age 4 years.
    The authors are grateful to Ronald de Guzman, Francis Kenith Adolfo,and Renato Adolfo for the field and hatchery assistance.This study was supported by a grant from the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology to PCC. The authors are also grateful to Prof. Peter Harrison for providing CAL a research assistantship opportunity and for additional logistical support through an Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development.
  • A benefit-cost comparison of varying scales and methods of coral reef restoration in the Philippines
    Abrina, Tara Alessandra S.; Bennett, Jeff (Elsevier, 2021-12)
    The slow rate of recovery in some reefs around the Philippines has prompted the widespread investment in active reef restoration in the country. However, from the point of view of society, these different coral reef restoration investments have not yet been fully compared in a benefit-cost analysis. In this paper, the economic efficiencies of four coral reef investments are compared – at two different scales (local and national) and two different technologies (‘coral gardening’ and ‘mass larval enhancement’). The values are derived from a previous valuation study that used the Choice Modelling method of estimating non-market values of coral reef restoration. The capacity of these values to facilitate comparisons among reef investments is thus assessed in this paper. Based on predictions from reef restoration scientists the Philippines, the mass larval enhancement investments are estimated to produce higher net benefits and benefit-cost ratios compared to those of coral gardening. In terms of scale, higher net social outcomes for the local-scale investments support more localized approaches to coral restoration.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Implications of fisher perceptions on coral restoration in Tondol, northwestern Philippines
    Gomez, Rickdane; Mamauag, Samuel; Fabinyi, Michael; dela Cruz, Dexter; McLeod, Ian M.; Cabaitan, Patrick; Harrison, Peter L. (Elsevier, 2024)
    Increasing coral restoration efforts globally have been aimed at improving reef status and the ecosystem functions and services they provide, including enhancing reef fish communities and fisheries production on nearby reefs. However, empirical evidence showing the influence of coral restoration on fish stocks is limited. In Barangay Tondol, a small-scale fishing village in the northwestern Philippines, fisher knowledge and perception studies were completed through individual interviews to provide insights into the perceived impacts of local restoration efforts on coral reef conditions and fishery outputs. The influence of fishers' social demographics and fishery information to their held perceptions were also explored. Fishers’ responses showed a perceived decline in fish stocks over the last 5–10 years mainly attributed to overharvesting, and a slight improvement in coral reef condition due to a reduction in destructive fishing. Out of 53 fisher respondents, 72% were aware of coral restoration efforts in their area and held positive perceptions that theoretically, conducting coral restoration can improve their fish stocks and local reef conditions through the provision of habitat functions. Perceived actual effectiveness of the local efforts was also positive, but with a lower number of responses. Multiple hierarchical regression tests showed that, among social demographics, fishery information, and perceptions on fish stocks, perceived improvement in coral condition was associated with stronger support for coral restoration activities. These findings indicate that fishers perceive positive effects of coral restoration to local coral status and fisheries, and highlight the need for restoration practitioners to engage early on with key stakeholders to assess local fisheries status and local priorities to inform restoration strategies. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd
  • Thumbnail Image
    Institutional dimensions of coral reef restoration in the Philippines
    Matorres, Dane Erlo; Fabinyi, Michael; Horigue, Vera; Novilla, Carmela Therese; Baria-Rodriguez, Maria Vanessa (Elsevier, 2024)
    While the Philippines is mostly known for its experiences on marine protected areas, local governments and non-government organizations are increasingly using coral restoration with the aim of rehabilitating degraded reef areas. Since the establishment of artificial reefs in the 1970s, the application, techniques and corresponding policy directives for reef restoration have evolved over time, and restoration has recently generated significant interest and investments from donors and government agencies. As the Philippines does not have a policy framework to support effective and sustainable practices for the use of different coral restoration techniques, the increase and unregulated use of restoration may result in unintended consequences and pose potential challenges to coastal management. To address this gap, we conducted a review of existing coral restoration policies, programs and projects across the country, with a focus on social, economic and governance aspects. The study collated existing published literature and unpublished information on coral restoration in the country, and conducted key informant interviews. The results show that coral restoration continues to increase, and that existing guidelines on coral restoration are poorly implemented and not widely understood among practitioners. While coral restoration projects reported ecological benefits, socio-economic impacts are limited. The evidence supports the need to review existing policies and contextualize coral restoration to contribute to relevant policy decisions about the restoration and protection of reefs.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Reef location and season, but not recruitment substrate contour and composition, affect coral recruitment patterns
    dela Cruz, Dexter W.; Harrison, Peter L. (Elsevier, 2024)
    Most studies have quantified coral recruitment using recruitment tiles temporarily deployed on reefs. However, the wide range of tile types used in different studies potentially influences recruitment patterns thereby hindering accurate comparisons among reef areas. We examined the effect of different tile types with different surface structure and composition on spatial (reef locations) and temporal (season) patterns of coral recruitment in the northwestern Philippines. Dead coral skeleton, terracotta, and fibre-cement tiles were deployed and retrieved quarterly over a 15-month period. In contrast to previous studies, patterns of standardized density and composition of recruits were consistent among tile types. Recruits varied spatially and were highest in Caniogan reef, followed by Cory reef and Lucero reef, suggesting that coral recruitment in the Bolinao-Anda Reef Complex (BARC) is influenced by reef location and existing coral cover. Highest recruitment was also found during the peak coral spawning season. The results of this study contrast with some previous reports which indicate that coral recruitment patterns are strongly influenced by recruitment substrate types. Our study suggests that once sufficient biological conditioning of the tile surfaces has occurred, the microbial and algal community present on the different tile surfaces are similarly conducive to larval settlement of some coral taxa. © 2024 The Authors