03. Science and Technology (Natural Sciences) Committee
Permanent URI for this communityhttps://repository.unesco.gov.ph/handle/123456789/3
In creating a culture of peace and addressing sustainable development challenges, UNESCO aims to cultivate the generation and application of scientific knowledge among its Member States. At UNACOM, we facilitate access to UNESCO’s international programmes in the sciences, such as the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, and International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme (IGGP), among others.
Through this sector, the Commission aims to contribute to the following SDGs: 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities, 13 - Climate Action, 14 - Life Below Water, and 15 - Life On Land. With the overarching vision of the 2023-2028 Philippine Development Plan (PDP), UNACOM targets grassroots-inspired cultural heritage and biodiversity protection and conservation, as well as multi-stakeholder partnerships for SDGs promotion.
Through this sector, the Commission aims to contribute to the following SDGs: 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities, 13 - Climate Action, 14 - Life Below Water, and 15 - Life On Land. With the overarching vision of the 2023-2028 Philippine Development Plan (PDP), UNACOM targets grassroots-inspired cultural heritage and biodiversity protection and conservation, as well as multi-stakeholder partnerships for SDGs promotion.
Browse
5 results
Search Results
- Variation in epibiont communities among restocked giant clam species (Cardiidae: Tridacninae) and across different habitat typesde Guzman, Ian Joseph A.; Cabaitan, Patrick C.; Hoeksema, Bert W.; Sayco, Sherry Lyn G.; Conaco, Cecilia (Springer, 2023-07-07)Giant clam shells provide a solid substrate for various species of epibionts. Yet, it is not well known how epibiont communities vary among populations of different giant clam species and in giant clams restocked in different habitat types. Here, we examined differences in the epibiont communities of three species of giant clams with different shell morphology (Tridacna gigas, Tridacna derasa, and Hippopus hippopus), and characterized the epibiont communities on T. gigas from three different habitat types (sandy reef flat, seagrass bed, and coral reef). Tridacna gigas had higher species richness, abundance, and cover of epibionts compared to the other two species. Tridacna gigas in coral reef habitat also displayed higher species richness and cover of sessile epibionts, while the same species in the sandy reef flat had higher species richness and abundance of mobile epibionts. Epibiont communities were more variable across habitat types than among different giant clam species restocked in a similar area. Differences in abundance of Trochus sp., Pyramidella sp., and crustose coralline algae contributed to the variability in epibiont communities among the giant clam species and across habitats. A few taxa were observed only on specific giant clam species and sites. For instance, Diadema sp. and Echinometra sp. were found only on T. gigas, and Diadema sp. was present only in the sandy reef flat. Both the complexity of the giant clam shells and habitat type contribute to differences in associated epibiont communities. This further emphasizes the ecological importance of giant clams as habitats for other invertebrates.
- Status of giant clam resources of the PhilippinesJuinio, Marie Antoinette R.; Meñez, Lambert Anthony B.; Villanoy, Cesar L.; Gomez, Edgardo D. (Oxford University Press (OUP), 1989-11-01)Field surveys were conducted to determine distribution and abundance of giant dam resources in the Philippines. All seven known species of giant clams were recorded with Tridacna crocea, T. maxima and T. squamosa occurring the most frequently. The larger species T. derasa, T. gigas, Hippopus hippopus and H. porcellanus were relatively rare. The reduction of giant dam stocks in the Philippines is due to the uncontrolled exploitation of this resource which is primarily gathered for shellcraft and as supplementary diet in coastal villages.
- Declining population of giant clams (Cardiidae:Tridacninae) in Palawan, PhilippinesDolorosa, Roger G.; Mecha, Niño Jess Mar F.; Bano, Jemima D.; Ecube, Krizia Meryl A.; Villanueva, Elmer G.; Cabaitan, Patrick C. (FapUNIFESP (SciELO), 2024)For more than two decades, the Philippine government has protected the giant clams (Bivalvia: Cardiidae: Tridacninae) from exploitation and trade. However, there still is lack of information on the impact of these protective measures in conserving the species richness and density, especially in Palawan, the country’s last stronghold of these reef-associated bivalves. Hence, to assess the species richness and density of giant clams in Palawan, we conducted 57 photo-transect surveys in six sites covering 12,325 m 2. Out of these transect, 15 measured 5 × 25 m and the rest measured 5 × 50 m. For historical trends in the population of giant clams in Palawan, we used six published papers obtained from online platforms, 13 reports, and five undergraduate theses archived in local libraries. Information derived from recent field surveys indicated high variations in species richness (2 to 5 species) and densities (0.1 to > 3.6 ind.100 m -2). Historical data starting from 1984, including recent fieldwork, indicated very low densities and a declining trend. The current status suggests that giant clam populations’ viability and the reefs’ health are threatened. Effective mechanisms are needed to safeguard and enhance the remaining giant clam populations.
- Passive greenhouse heating, recirculation, and nutrient addition for nursery phase Tridacna gigas: Growth boost during winter monthsBraley, Richard D.; Sutton, David; Mingoa, S. Suzanne M.; Southgate, Paul C. (Elsevier, 1992-11)The impetus for this study was winter-related mortality of juvenile Tridacna gigas along Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Heating nursery tank water by passive solar heating in a greenhouse and the addition of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) was assessed for effect on the growth and survival of cultured juvenile clams. Two age classes of T. gigas were used, with means of 1.2 cm and 17.0 cm shell length. Treatments consisted of nutrient-spikes of 20 μ M and 40 μ M ammonium chloride daily or on alternate days, plus s spike of 2.3 μ M phosphate once per week vs. controls without nutrient addition. Three rearing systems were used: (1) recirculating water enclosed in a greenhouse; (2) flow-through water enclosed in a greenhouse; (3) flow-through water with ambient conditions. In the older clams growth in weight was best in system 2, while growth in shell length (SL) was best in system 1, and DIN treatments significantly increased growth compared with controls. In the younger clams, growth in SL was best in system 1. DIN treatments produced significantly greater growth than controls, but there was no difference between 20-μ M and 40-μ M treatments. Survival was 100% for larger clams but for smaller clams mean survival was highest overall in system 1, while 20-μ M DIN treatments within systems produced the best overall survival. The highest levels of DIN in the nursery tanks were found in the 40-μ M DIN treatments, particularly in system 1. The wet tissue weight/shell length ratio for 40-μ M DIN treatments was highest in system 1 and decreased in systems 2 and 3, while controls were similar. Dry shell weight/shell length was highest in the 40-μ M DIN treatment over the control in system 1 only. The zooxanthellae index (no. of algal cells/g clam) was significantly higher in the 40-μ M DIN treatment than in the control in all three systems. Biochemical analysis of whole animals showed higher carbohydrate content in system 2 and in treatments receiving 20 μ M DIN. Tissue protein content did not differ significantly between systems but increased with increasing nutrient concentration. Lipid content was highest in system 1 and decreased with increasing nutrient concentration. Tissue water content of clams at the 20-μ M DIN level was lower than clams in other treatments, indicating superior condition. The combination of passive solar heating, recirculated water, and nutrient addition for the giant clam land nursery phase opens possibilities for culture of this tropical bivalve in subtropical zones or in the tropics distant from the ocean.
- Fishing mortality rates of giant clams (Family Tridacnidae) from the Sulu Archipelago and Southern Palawan, PhilippinesVillanoy, Cesar L.; Juinio, Antoinette R.; Meñez, Lambert Anthony (Springer, 1988-05)Average size frequency distributions of Tridacna squamosa, T. gigas, Hippopus hippopus and H. porcellanus harvested from the Sulu Archipelago and Southern Palawan areas from 1978–1985 were derived from export records and a warehouse inventory of giant clam shells. Average species mortality rates (Z) were estimated and were used to approximate average fishing mortality rates (F) over the period 1978–1985. Crude estimates of exploitation rates (F/Z) indicate that populations of these species are already overexploited. These findings have serious implications in view of the fact that the Sulu Archipelago and Southern Palawan are thought to be the last strongholds of giant clams in Philippine waters.