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Journal Articles - UP - MSI

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  • C30 — A simple, rapid, scientifically valid, and low-cost method for citizen-scientists to monitor coral reefs
    Licuanan, Wilfredo Y.; Mordeno, Princess Zyrlyn B.; Go, Marco V. (Elsevier, 2021-09)
    The extent and speed of recent changes in reef coral abundances due to ocean warming and human impacts require more widespread capability to map and measure these changes, especially in countries like the Philippines. We present “C30”, a simple, rapid, scientifically valid, and low-cost method for skin divers or freedivers to take random photo-quadrat images within predefined stations on the upper reef slope. C30 yields coral cover data similar to those collected using the more intensive C5 method and can be as powerful in detecting small differences in reef cover. Less time is also needed for training personnel and sampling. However, more photo-quadrat images, better cameras, and closer collaboration with local scientists are required if higher precision data and estimates of coral diversity are needed from C30. C30 is a valuable tool for participatory, community-based citizen science monitoring of coral reefs.
    We thank the Department of Science and TechnologyPhilippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (QMSR-MRRD-COR-0-1209 and PCAARRD-GIA 4478), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Coral Reef Visualization and Assessment, The Philippines Project for funding some of the fieldwork. The initial research on citizen-science monitoring was undertaken with funding from Oscar M. Lopez Center for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management Foundation, Inc., The Philippines (Grant number OMLC RG 2017-18). We also thank the DLSU Innovation and Technology Office for the patent application for the C30 monopod in the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines. The comments and suggestions of the reviewers are acknowledged and are very much appreciated. WY Licuanan is the holder of the Br H Alfred Shields FSC Professorial Chair in Biology and Br Cresentius Richard Duerr FSC Professorial Chair in Biochemistry.
  • Effect of the Intensified Sub‐Thermocline Eddy on strengthening the Mindanao undercurrent in 2019
    Azminuddin, Fuad; Lee, Jae Hak; Jeon, Dongchull; Shin, Chang‐Woong; Villanoy, Cesar; Lee, Seok; Min, Hong Sik; Kim, Dong Guk (American Geophysical Union, 2022-02)
    The northward-flowing Mindanao Undercurrent (MUC) was directly measured by acoustic Doppler current profilers from a subsurface mooring at about 8°N, 127°E during 2 years (November 2017–December 2019). Its depth covers a range from 400 m to deeper than 1,000 m with its core appearing at around 900 m. The mean velocity of MUC's core was approximately 5.8 cm s−1 with a maximum speed of about 47.6 cm s−1. The MUC was observed as a quasi-permanent current with strong intraseasonal variability (ISV) with a period of 70–80 days. Further analyses with an eddy-resolving circulation model output suggest that the ISV is closely related to sub-thermocline eddies (SEs). In this study, two types of SEs near the Philippine coast are disclosed: the westward propagating SE (SE-1) and the quasi-stational SE southeast of Mindanao Island (SE-2). The SE-1 has both cyclonic and anticyclonic polarities with the propagation speed of 7–8 cm s−1, while the SE-2 is an anticyclonic eddy that moves erratically within 4–8°N, 127–130°E with the mean translation speed of about 11 cm s−1. Even though the SE-1 plays an important role in modulating the MUC, our results show that the observed strong MUC event (May–July 2019) is evidently induced by the intensified SE-2 that moves northwestward. This study emphasizes that the SE-2 when intensified, receives more energy from the strengthened New Guinea Coastal Undercurrent and loses the energy northward along the Philippine coast by intensifying the MUC.
    This study was part of the project entitled “study on air–sea interaction and process of rapidly intensifying Typhoon in the northwestern Pacific” (PM61670) funded by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Rep. of Korea. This study was also partly supported by the project entitled “Influences of the Northwest Pacific circulation and climate variability on the Korean water changes and material cycle I—The role of Jeju warm current and its variability” (PEA0011) funded by Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST). The mooring data used in this study were provided by KIOST and are available from the KIOST live access server (http://las.kiost.ac.kr/data_adcp/). The model data are freely available from Mercator Ocean (https://resources.marine.copernicus.eu/?option=com_csw&view=details&product_id=GLOBAL_ANALYSIS_FORECAST_PHY_001_024).
  • Characterizing the vertical phytoplankton distribution in the Philippine Sea off the northeastern coast of Luzon
    Cordero-Bailey, Kristina; Bollozos, Iris Salud F.; Palermo, Joseph Dominic H.; Silvano, Kathleen M.; Escobar, Ma. Teresa L.; Jacinto, Gil S.; San Diego-McGlone, Maria Lourdes; David, Laura T.; Yñiguez, Aletta T. (Elsevier BV, 2021-06)
    The vertical distribution of phytoplankton in the open ocean shows an increase in biomass at a depth referred to as the Subsurface Chlorophyll Maximum (SCM) that contributes significantly to the primary production of the water column. Hence, it is important to understand the dynamics that lead its formation and maintenance. This study examines the SCM in the Philippine Sea off the northeast coast of Luzon, utilizing bio-optical and empirical phytoplankton data from two oceanographic cruises conducted northeast of the island of Luzon in May/June 2011 and April/May 2012. Chlorophyll (Chl) profiles were converted to smoothed chlorophyll functions by using a b-spline basis. In 2011, the mean SCM depth was 97.24 m ± 22.33 m with mean SCM concentration of 0.43 μg/L ± 0.09 μg/L while in 2012, mean SCM was deeper at 115.45 m ± 24.25 m and mean SCM concentration of 0.31 ± 0.09 μg/L. Functional principal component analysis showed that the first principal component (PC) explained variability in the SCM depth, the second PC showed variability in the magnitude of the SCM concentration while the third PC accounted for the presence of multiple peaks. K-means clustering using the principal components resulted in three clusters which represented the offshore stations with the deepest SCM, stations within an observed cyclonic eddy with intermediate SCM and stations with coastal and shelf waters showing shallow SCM. Correlation analyses between Chl and physico-chemical and bio-optical parameters showed that Chl was positively correlated to beam attenuation, a bio-optical property that has been used as an alternative proxy for phytoplankton. This suggests that the observed SCMs represent actual increase in phytoplankton biomass. When the influence of the Kuroshio recirculation gyre was dominant in 2011, cooler temperature in surface waters was seen to significantly increase surface Chl. In 2012, highly saline waters from the tropical North Equatorial Current (NEC) waters appeared to lower the Chl distribution, particularly at the SCM. Phytoplankton abundance was recorded to be higher at the SCM than the surface in both years. In 2011, different species of diatoms dominated all clusters, except at the SCM of the coastal and shelf cluster wherein the dinoflagellate Gyrodinium grossestriatum was dominant. Most dominant species from 2011 were conspicuously absent in 2012 and there was a shift to the diatoms Fragilariopsis (surface), Thalassiosira and Rhizosolenia spp. in all clusters. These provide new insights on the phytoplankton community in relation to the changes in the oceanic circulation from subtropical North Pacific water in 2011 to tropical NEC water in 2012.
    This work is Marine Science Institute contribution number 482. We would like to acknowledge Dr. Cesar Villanoy and Dr. Olivia Cabrera and the anonymous reviewers who provided invaluable inputs for the development and improvement of the paper.
  • Latitudinal variation in growth and survival of juvenile corals in the West and South Pacific
    Nozawa, Yoko; Villanueva, Ronald D.; Munasik, Munasik; Roeroe, Kakaskasen Andreas; Mezaki, Takuma; Kawai, Takashi; Guest, James; Arakaki, Seiji; Suzuki, Go; Tanangonan, Jean J. B.; Ang, Put O.; Edmunds, Peter J. (Springer, 2021-08-18)
    Reef-building corals are found across > 30° of latitude from tropical to temperate regions, where they occupy habitats greatly differing in seawater temperature and light regimes. It remains largely unknown, however, how the demography of corals differs across this gradient of environmental conditions. Variation in coral growth is especially important to coral populations, because aspects of coral demography are dependent on colony size, with both fecundity and survivorship increasing with larger colonies. Here we tested for latitudinal variation in annual growth rate and survival of juvenile corals, using 11 study locations extending from 17° S to 33° N in the West and South Pacific. Regression analyses revealed a significant decline in annual growth rates with increasing latitude, whereas no significant latitudinal pattern was detected in annual survival. Seawater temperature showed a significant and positive association with annual growth rates. Growth rates varied among the four common genera, allowing them to be ranked Acropora > Pocillopora > Porites > Dipsastraea. Acropora and Pocillopora showed more variation in growth rates across latitudes than Porites and Dipsastraea. Although the present data have limitations with regard to difference in depths, survey periods, and replication among locations, they provide evidence that a higher capacity for growth of individual colonies may facilitate population growth, and hence population recovery following disturbances, at lower latitudes. These trends are likely to be best developed in Acropora and Pocillopora, which have high rates of colony growth.
    We appreciate volunteers, students, and assistants for data collection. Y.N. especially thank H.-S. Hsieh and C.-H. Liu for data measurement, and V. Denis for his comments on the manuscript. Comments from two anonymous reviewers improve our manuscript greatly. The study was funded by the thematic research grant of Academia Sinica (23-2g) and an internal research grant of Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica to Y.N. The Okinawa survey was partly supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science through NEXT Program #GR083. Temperature data for the Okinawa site were provided by the coral reef survey of Monitoring Sites 1000 Project, operated by the Ministry of the Environment, Japan. Temperature data for Moorea were provided by the Moorea Coral Reef LTER, funded by the US National Science Foundation (OCE-0417412).
  • The harmful raphidophyte Chattonella (Raphidophyceae) in Western Pacific: Its red tides and associated fisheries damage over the past 50 years (1969–2019)
    Lum, Wai Mun; Benico, Garry; Doan-Nhu, Hai; Furio, Elsa; Leaw, Chui Pin; Leong, Sandric Chee Yew; Lim, Po Teen; Lim, Weol Ae; Lirdwitayaprasit, Thaithaworn; Lu, Songhui; Nguyen, Nguyen Van; Orlova, Tatiana Yu.; Rachman, Arief; Sakamoto, Setsuko; Takahashi, Kazuya; Teng, Sing Tung; Thoha, Hikmah; Wang, Pengbin; Yñiguez, Aletta T.; Wakita, Kazumi; Iwataki, Mitsunori (Elsevier, 2021-07)
    Red tides and associated fisheries damage caused by the harmful raphidophyte Chattonella were reassessed based on the documented local records for 50 years to understand the distribution and economic impacts of the harmful species in the Western Pacific. Blooms of Chattonella with fisheries damage have been recorded in East Asia since 1969, whereas they have been only recorded in Southeast Asia since the 1980s. Occurrences of Chattonella have been documented from six Southeast Asian countries, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam, with mass mortalities mainly of farmed shrimp in 1980–1990s, and farmed fish in 2000–2010s. These occurrences have been reported with the names of C. antiqua, C. marina, C. ovata, C. subsalsa and Chattonella sp., owing to the difficulty of microscopic species identification, and many were not supported with molecular data. To determine the distribution of C. marina complex and C. subsalsa in Southeast Asia, molecular phylogeny and microscopic observation were also carried out for cultures obtained from Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, Philippines, Russia, Singapore and Thailand. The results revealed that only the genotype of C. marina complex has been detected from East Asia (China, Japan, Korea and Russia), whereas both C. marina complex (Indonesia and Malaysia) and C. subsalsa (Philippines, Singapore and Thailand) were found in Southeast Asia. Ejection of mucocysts has been recognized as a diagnostic character of C. subsalsa, but it was also observed in our cultures of C. marina isolated from Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, and Russia. Meanwhile, the co-occurrences of the two harmful Chattonella species in Southeast Asia, which are difficult to distinguish solely based on their morphology, suggest the importance of molecular identification of Chattonella genotypes for further understanding of their distribution and negative impacts.
    We thank Drs Yuuki Kosaka, Winnie Lik Sing Lau, Ing Kuo Law and Toh Hii Tan for their sampling assistances. We thank Dr. Sadaaki Yoshimatsu for providing a culture strain TAI-93, and Drs Mineo Yamaguchi and Haruo Yamaguchi for support on maintenance and rDNA analysis of the culture. This work was carried out under international collaboration of the IOC/WESTPAC-HAB project and Core-to-Core Program (B. Asia-Africa Science Platforms) of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS). This work was partially supported by Japanese JSPS Kakenhi 19H03027 and 19KK0160 (MI), Malaysian MOHE HICOE IOES and FRGS (PTL), Vietnamese VAST NVCC17.02/21-21 (HD-N), and the Japanese Fund-in-Trust (MEXT).
  • Zooxanthellae diversity and coral-symbiont associations in the Philippine archipelago: specificity and adaptability across thermal gradients
    Torres, Andrew F.; Valino, Darryl Anthony M.; Ravago-Gotanco, Rachel (Frontiers Media SA, 2021-10-20)
    Prolonged thermal stress and high levels of solar irradiance can disrupt the coral-algal symbiosis and cause bleaching and lowered overall fitness that lead to the likely death of the cnidarian host. Adaptive bleaching and acclimatization of corals, which posits bleaching as an opportunity for the coral host to switch its currently susceptible endosymbionts to more stress-tolerant taxa, offers hope for survival of reefs amid rapidly warming oceans. In this study, we explored the diversity and distribution of coral-zooxanthellae associations in the context of geospatial patterns of sea surface temperature (SST) and thermal anomalies across the Philippine archipelago. Thermal clusters based on annual sea surface temperature means and each site’s frequency of exposure to heat stress were described using three-decade (1985–2018) remotely sensed data. Haphazard sampling of 628 coral fragments was conducted in 14 reef sites over 3 years (2015–2018). Using polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) fingerprinting and sequencing of the zooxanthellae ITS2 region, we characterized endosymbiont diversity within four reef-building coral families across archipelagic thermal regimes. Consistency in dominant Symbiodiniaceae taxon was observed in Acropora spp., Porites spp., and Heliopora coerulea. In contrast, the family Pocilloporidae (Pocillopora spp., Seriatopora spp., and Stylophora pistillata) exhibited biogeographic variability in zooxanthellae composition, concordant with inferred occurrences of sustained thermal stress. Multivariate analyses identify two broad Pocilloporidae clusters that correspond with mean SST ranges and frequency of exposure to bleaching-level thermal stress which are largely supported by ANOSIM. Differences in zooxanthellae assemblages may reflect host-specific responses to ecological or environmental gradients across biogeographic regions. Such patterns of variability provide insight and support for the adaptability and potential resilience of coral communities in geographically and oceanographically complex regions, especially amidst the increasing severity of global and local-scale stressors.
    This paper is dedicated to the late Ronald D. Villanueva whose contribution to the project during its inception has been invaluable. The authors thank Patrick R. Pata and the reviewers LE and RC-T for their helpful comments and suggestions, and acknowledge Hazel O. Arceo, Cesar L. Villanoy, and Maria Lourdes San Diego-McGlone for their support of this study. Eileen Peñaflor and Mariana Soppa shared key knowledge in processing satellite products. Mikhael Tañedo, Romer Albino, Emmeline Jamodiong, David Siquioco, Lovely Heyres, Rhea Luciano, Joey Cabasan, Frederico Sabban, Geminne Manzano, Clairecynth Yu, Joyce Velos, Joseph Garcia, Robert Casauay, Maryjune Cabiguin, Macy A onuevo-Arcega, Ariel Loja, Jerome Genilan, Amabelle Go, Jamie Dichaves, Elaine Saniel, and Miledel Quibilan assisted with field collections. Supporting hard coral data were provided by the DOST-PCAARRD NACRE Program and the DENR-BMB WPS and SECURE Philippine Rise Projects. This is MSI contribution number 486.
  • Geomorphological and sedimentological records of recent storms on a volcaniclastic coast in Bicol, Philippines
    Soria, Janneli Lea A.; Switzer, Adam D.; Pile, Jeremy; Siringan, Fernando P.; Brill, Dominik; Daag, Arturo (Elsevier, 2021-08-01)
    Typhoon Durian in November 2006 was most notable for a series of devastating lahars that buried communities at the base of Mayon volcano in Bicol, Philippines. Typhoon Durian delivered extreme rainfall that remobilized volcanic debris that caused more than ~1200 deaths and extensive property damage. Although not as deadly as the lahar, Typhoon Durian also generated a storm surge that caused localized dune breaching on Malinao barrier sand spit in Lagonoy Gulf. In the absence of instrumental data of the storm surge, we used the geomorphical and sedimentary imprints including erosion scarps, washover fans and terraces to infer the inundation heights on the barrier spit. The surface elevations of washover fans, terraces and relic dunes indicate inundation heights above 1.5 m but not exceeding 3 m. Typhoon Durian's overwash deposit is characterized by typical washover fan stratigraphy, and exhibits horizontal to sub-horizontal lamination on the front to mid-fan and foreset stratification near the fan terminus. Subsurface stratigraphy using shore-normal ground penetrating radar (GPR) imaging reveals at least two buried erosional surfaces farther inland from the erosional surface of Typhoon Durian. Similar to Durian, the older erosional surfaces were probably sustained from previous typhoons. We infer that episodic erosional events most likely have repeatedly disrupted the prograding development of the Malinao barrier spit. Typhoon Durian highlights the exposure of volcanic landscapes to multiple hazards from cyclone landfall.
    This work comprises Earth Observatory of Singapore contribution no. 169. This research is supported by the Singapore National Research Foundation fellowship scheme (Grant No: NRF-RF2010-04) and the Singapore Ministry of Education under the Research Centres of Excellence initiative. This paper is a contribution to IGCP Project 639 Sea-Level Changes from Minutes to Millennia. We thank German Gonzaga of the Malinao Local Government Unit who facilitated our access to the study site. We also appreciate Cabria family for being our hospitable host during the series of field campaigns. We thank Mr. Raul Capistrano on behalf of NAMRIA for providing tide gauge data, and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau for granting us permit to transport sediments. We are grateful to Joan Reotita, Ronald Lloren, Yo Muan, Lester Valle, Arlene Tengonciang, Mabelline Cahulogan, Ariel Malonda, Antonio Ceres and Elmer Cas for their generous help in collecting field data.
  • Estimation of the vertical phytoplankton distribution in the Philippine Sea: Influence of turbulence following passage of typhoons
    Cordero-Bailey, Kristina S.A.; Almo, Aldwin T.; David, Laura T.; Yñiguez, Aletta T. (Elsevier, 2022-11)
    The subsurface chlorophyll-a maximum (SCM) is a phenomenon that contributes significantly to the total primary production of the open ocean but it is not observable from remote sensing, thus primary production based on satellite information is highly underestimated. In a highly dynamic region such as the Philippine Sea, turbulence caused by tropical storms may exert significant impact on the SCM feature. In this study, we attempt to estimate the vertical phytoplankton profile in the Philippine Sea from remote sensing images by applying a generic quantitative approach. Generalized Additive Models (GAM) followed by Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) were used create predictive equations between response variables (Chl-a profile parameters) and predictor variables (RS parameters). GAM was able to predict integrated Chl-a biomass using photosynthetic active radiation (PAR), wind speed and wind stress, the depth of the Chl-a peak using surface Chl-a, wind speed and wind stress, and the baseline Chl-a concentration using sea surface temperature, sea surface salinity and PAR. GLM found wind stress and wind speed as significant predictors for integrated Chl-a biomass, while surface Chl-a, wind speed and wind stress were significant predictors for depth of the Chl-a peak. When the predictive equations were applied to 2020 monthly satellite images, they were seen to adequately estimate the offshore spatial distribution of the two Chl-a parameters. Increased turbulence due to high wind speed and wind stress during passage of tropical storms was seen to result in shallowing of the SCM and subsequent increase in Chl-a within the water column. These equations could be refined if long-term observational data was available. The capacity to estimate vertical distribution of primary productivity in the Philippines provides a means to better understand fisheries productivity and biogeochemical cycling in the region.
  • Characteristics of marine heatwaves in the Philippines
    Edullantes, Brisneve; Concolis, Brenna Mei M.; Quilestino-Olario, Raven; Atup, Dale Patrick D.; Cortes, Aiza; Yñiguez, Aletta T. (Elsevier, 2023-09)
    Marine Heatwaves (MHWs) are prolonged, discrete, and anomalously warm events, which have recently gained global attention due to their far-reaching effects and reported impacts. Although intensive studies have been carried out at global and regional scales, these events remained understudied in the Philippines – a country with high marine biodiversity. The Philippines is highly vulnerable to the impacts of these extreme events as it lies in the western boundary of the Pacific that is considered as a hotspot for MHWs. The present study used multi-year climatic sea surface temperature (SST) record to detect MHWs in the Philippines. The detected events were then characterized using the standardized metrics. Linear trend analysis was conducted to determine the magnitude and direction of the change of the MHW metrics over time. Decadal trend revealed that MHWs in the Philippines significantly increased from seven MHWs in the 1980s to 37 MHWs in the last decade. Moreover, increased duration was remarkable in 2020 with 276 MHW days. MHW frequency and duration were increasing at a rate almost twice as its neighboring waters. Intensities did not significantly increase with time, but the highest SST anomaly is associated with El Niño Southern Oscillation. Furthermore, the eastern and western region of the Philippines is vulnerable to MHWs, but hotspots are mostly confined in the West Philippine Sea and western tropical Pacific. An in-depth investigation of the drivers of MHWs is recommended to understand the physical mechanisms of the development of these extreme thermal events in the Philippine seas. The findings have significant implications for coastal marine resource management, highlighting the need for adaptive management strategies and increased monitoring and research efforts to mitigate the impacts of MHWs on marine ecosystems and local economies in the Philippines.
  • Multiple severe storms revealed by coral boulders at Pasuquin, northwestern Luzon, Philippines
    Gong, Shou-Yeh; Liu, Sze-Chieh; Siringan, Fernando P.; Gallentes, Adonis; Lin, Han-Wei; Shen, Chuan-Chou (Elsevier, 2022-11-15)
    Over 30 meter-sized coral boulders are scattered 45–140 m away from the edge and above high tide on a Holocene reef flat at Pasuquin, northwestern Luzon, Philippines. The boulders are overturned or tilted as indicated by the framework fossil corals in them, but have the same lithology as those along the reef edge and thus were likely broken off from there. The dimensions of boulders larger than 3 m were calculated from 3D models constructed by photogrammetry. Their volumes range from 10 to 53 m3. Assuming 2.1 g/cm3 for wet density, weights of boulders would range from 21 to 110 metric tons. Boulders of such size and weight can't be moved by normal waves, and thus must have been dislodged by extreme wave events (EWEs). Small and well-preserved corals found on the surface of seven boulders were collected for 230Th dating to reconstruct the timing of displacement. The ages of corals are 1781.6 ± 1.9, 1903.4 ± 2.7, 1945.8 ± 1.2, 1956.9 ± 1.2, 1956.75 ± 0.99, 1978.1 ± 1.5 and 2002.78 ± 0.88 CE, respectively. These ages are considered to constrain the timing of boulder displacement from the reef edge. We propose that typhoon-induced EWEs were responsible for the displacement of these boulders at Pasuquin.