menu.header.image.unacom.logo
 

Challenge 10: Change humanity’s relationship with the ocean

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://repository.unesco.gov.ph/handle/123456789/27

Ocean Decade


Challenge 10:
Change humanity’s relationship with the ocean



Meaningful society-ocean connections are strengthened, driving increased motivation, capability and opportunity for people, across all sectors of society, to make decisions, act and behave in ways that ensure a healthy ocean.

Browse

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
  • Thumbnail Image
    Limited progress in improving gender and geographic representation in coral reef science
    Ahmadia, Gabby N.; Cheng, Samantha H.; Andradi-Brown, Dominic A.; Baez, Stacy K.; Barnes, Megan D.; Bennett, Nathan J.; Campbell, Stuart J.; Darling, Emily S.; Gill, David; Gress, Erika; Gurney, Georgina G.; Horigue, Vera; Jakub, Raymond; Kennedy, Emma V.; Mahajan, Shauna L.; Mangubhai, Sangeeta; Matsuda, Shayle B.; Muthiga, Nyawira A.; Navarro, Michael O.; Santodomingo, Nadia; Vallès, Henri; Veverka, Laura; Villagomez, Angelo; Wenger, Amelia S.; Wosu, Adaoma (Frontiers Media SA, 2021-09-29)
    Despite increasing recognition of the need for more diverse and equitable representation in the sciences, it is unclear whether measurable progress has been made. Here, we examine trends in authorship in coral reef science from 1,677 articles published over the past 16 years (2003–2018) and find that while representation of authors that are women (from 18 to 33%) and from non-OECD nations (from 4 to 13%) have increased over time, progress is slow in achieving more equitable representation. For example, at the current rate, it would take over two decades for female representation to reach 50%. Given that there are more coral reef non-OECD countries, at the current rate, truly equitable representation of non-OECD countries would take even longer. OECD nations also continue to dominate authorship contributions in coral reef science (89%), in research conducted in both OECD (63%) and non-OECD nations (68%). We identify systemic issues that remain prevalent in coral reef science (i.e., parachute science, gender bias) that likely contribute to observed trends. We provide recommendations to address systemic biases in research to foster a more inclusive global science community. Adoption of these recommendations will lead to more creative, innovative, and impactful scientific approaches urgently needed for coral reefs and contribute to environmental justice efforts.
    We acknowledge the contributions of the many unrecognized and undervalued individuals in coral reef research whose efforts have made it possible for the field to progress. These scientists have collected data, translated across languages, coordinated field work, welcomed foreign visitors to their countries, shared ideas, trained and mentored students, become friends, inspired, and built the foundation for the discipline we know today. We acknowledge the work of all coral reef scientists who continue day after day to pursue equity, inclusion, and justice in the field and for their colleagues and themselves.
  • Total polyphenol content of tropical marine and coastal flora: Potentials for food and nutraceutical applications
    Narvarte, Bienson Ceasar V.; Genovia, Tom Gerald T.; Hinaloc, Lourie Ann R.; Gonzaga, Shienna Mae C.; Tabonda-Nabor, April Mae; Palecpec, Flora Maye R.; Dayao, Helen M.; Roleda, Michael Y. (Springer, 2023-07-08)
    The marine environment is abundant in natural products that are beneficial to humans. Among these compounds are the polyphenols produced by marine flora as secondary metabolites and used as a defense against stressful environmental conditions. Accordingly, recent pharmacological and biomedical studies showed that polyphenols from marine and coastal floras have several important bioactivities including antioxidant property. In this study, we measured the total polyphenol content (TPC) of 75 species of marine-associated flora. The TPC of their methanolic extracts was measured spectrophotometrically using the Folin-Ciocalteu assay and was expressed both as mg phloroglucinol equivalent per g of dry weight (mg PGE g−1 DW) and as mg gallic acid equivalent per g dry weight (mg GAE g−1 DW). The TPC values are higher when expressed in terms of GAE compared to PGE. Also, the mean TPC of tracheopytes (229 ± 43.0 mg PGE g−1 DW) was higher compared to the mean TPC of macroalgae (69.4 ± 9.59 mg PGE g−1 DW). For macroalgae, ochrophytes (97.9 ± 22.7 mg PGE g−1 DW) had the highest mean TPC followed by chlorophytes (80.0 ± 20.5 mg PGE g−1 DW) and rhodophytes (49.5 ± 8.60 mg PGE g−1 DW). Moreover, our study also showed that TPC varied between young and mature tissues, among different color morphotypes and different parts of the plants. Although the concentrations of total polyphenols varied among species, ages, strains and parts of the plant, our study showed that marine and coastal floras are rich sources of polyphenols that could be further examined for their biological activities and other applications in food industry.
  • A multi-framework analysis of stakeholders’ perceptions in developing a localized blue carbon ecosystems strategy in Eastern Samar, Philippines
    Quevedo, Jay Mar D.; Ferrera, Charissa M.; Faylona, Marie Grace Pamela G.; Kohsaka, Ryo (Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2024-01-25)
    Blue carbon ecosystems (BCEs) are vital for global climate change mitigation and offer diverse local ecosystem co-benefits. Despite existing literatures on integrating national and international BCE agendas at the local level, the development and implementation of localized BCE strategies often lag behind. To provide insights on this knowledge gap, we present a case study conducted in Eastern Samar, Philippines. Employing a multi-framework analysis- encompassing DPSIR (drivers, pressures, state, impact, responses), SOAR (strengths, opportunities, aspirations, results), and PESTLE (political, economic, social, technological, legal, environmental) frameworks, stakeholder perceptions collected from focus group discussions highlight issues and challenges in developing and implementing a BCE strategy. Findings reveal that the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 in the study sites stimulated conservation efforts and raised awareness, but governance structures and policy enforcement influence the success and longevity of management and conservation efforts. Through the integration of multiple frameworks, this study outlined a potential localized BCE strategy, emphasizing both internal priorities such as stakeholder engagement and alternative livelihoods and external priorities related to policy and technological supports. While developed based on a specific case study in the Philippines, the proposed strategy is presented in a general manner, enabling its potential replication in other provinces in the Philippines or in countries with similar geographic settings.
  • Total synthesis and bioactivity evaluation of hydrophobic microcionamide‐inspired peptides
    Inocentes, Carl Rogel V.; Salvador‐Reyes, Lilibeth A.; Villaraza, Aaron Joseph L. (Wiley, 2023-01)
    In this report, we describe the facile synthesis of four microcionamide-inspired peptides where the atypical 2-phenylethylenamine (2-PEA) functional group in the marine natural product, microcionamide A, was replaced with a similarly-aromatic but more easily incorporated tryptophan (Trp) residue. Compounds 1–4 were synthesized using a standard Fmoc-based solid-phase synthesis strategy followed by iodine-mediated on-resin cyclization for disulfide-bridged compounds 1–3. Compound 1 showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 9.1 μM and 15 μM, respectively. The inactivity of alanine analogs 2–4 against these pathogens suggests that the N-terminal Val, the cyclic scaffold, the contiguous Ile residues, and consequently, the hydrophobicity of compound 1 are essential for antibacterial activity. Compound 1 also favorably exhibited minimal cytotoxicity against normal mammalian cell lines. In summary, we have synthesized an analog of microcionamide A where replacement of the 2-PEA moiety with a Trp residue retained the antibacterial activity and with favorably low cytotoxicity.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Shallow structures, interactions, and recurrent vertical motions of active faults in Lingayen Gulf, Philippines
    Flores, Paul Caesar M.; Siringan, Fernando P.; Mateo, Zenon Richard P.; Marfito, Bryan J.; Sarmiento, Keanu Jershon S.; Abigania, Maria Isabel T.; Daag, Arturo S.; Maac-Aguilar, Yolanda (Elsevier, 2023-06-01)
    The surface trace of the East Zambales Fault (EZF) and its associated faults in the Lingayen Gulf have been previously mapped but no other characteristics were reported. This study utilized seismic reflection, multi-beam bathymetry, and side scan sonar to characterize the offshore EZF in terms of magnitudes of vertical displacement. Sequence stratigraphy and radiocarbon dates provided age constraints on the recurrence interval within the Holocene. The EZF extends for ∼ 57 km into the gulf, follows a north-northwest trend, and bounds the karstic terrane (west) and fluvio-deltaic deposits (east). Sinistral motion is indicated by: 1) normal and reverse drag geometries, 2) reversal in the sense of throw with depth, 3) flower structure, and 4) right-stepping and the uplift of a pressure ridge named Pudoc Bathymetric High. The Central Lingayen Gulf Fault (CLGF), to the east of EZF, follows the same trend. The Lingayen Gulf Transverse Fault (LGTF), oriented east–west, forms a flower structure with the CLGF. The EZF, CLGF, and LGTF combined form the Lingayen Gulf Fault System, which divides the gulf into five fault blocks where uplift and subsidence locally occurred. A paleo-delta at −60 m yielded an age of 6.8 kyBP, indicating it was formed during the first Holocene highstand. With natural compaction considered, fault-associated subsidence of 46–53 m may have occurred. The average Holocene vertical displacement is 2.1–2.2 m, which translates to a recurrence interval of 320–270 years for the fault system. The faults can likely generate earthquakes with magnitudes 7.5 (EZF), 6.7 (CLGF), and 6.6 (LGTF).
    This work was supported by grants to F. P. Siringan by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development through the Mapping of Active Offshore Faults for Resilient Coasts Project; and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Biodiversity Management Bureau through the Coral Reef Visualization and Assessment - Deep Coral Mapping Project. We are thankful to Deo Carlo Llamas for the meaningful discussions about the current knowledge of the East Zambales Fault. We also thank the anonymous reviewers who provided significant insights for the improvement of this manuscript.