Oral Category 2 Abstracts

Eucheuma and Kappaphycus, or eucheumatoids, are well-farmed red seaweeds in Asia due to their high economic importance in the industry and as food for many people. This edible seaweed is a reservoir of bioactive metabolites, but the health impact is not commonly known to local farmers and consumers. This study investigated the environmental and biological factors that can contribute to the utilization of seaweeds to address health problems. Compared the environmental parameters gathered in two seasons and assessed the effects on the phytoconstituents of the ethanolic crude extracts of the farmed eucheumatoids. Assessed the biological activities of the ethanolic crude extracts using the Sprague Dawley rats for anti-thrombocytopenia, and the Institute for Cancer Research mice in the anti-inflammatory tests on egg-albumin-induced paw edema, acetic-acid-induced anti-writhing test for analgesic effect, anti-hyperglycemia activity using the Streptozotocin-induced diabetes, and its potential to reduce implantation losses. The results of the phytochemical analysis from Eucheuma denticulatum var. spinosum (green and brown cultivars) and Kappaphycus alvarezii var. tambalang (vanguard and giant cultivars) showed different concentrations of alkaloids, carbohydrates, Cardiac Glycosides, phenols such as flavonoids and tannins, saponins, terpenoids, proteins, as well as sterols and steroids for lipids. The average physico- chemical parameters from four farms and two seasons, and the degree of phytoconstituents concentration of extracts, showed variations. The used ethanolic crude extracts showed biological effects as tested against in vivo studies of diseases using animal models. Further studies on pharmacological and nutraceutical use are needed to maximize seaweed utilization in addressing health and macro deficiency problems.

The capacity of mangroves to deliver ecosystem services are linked to the stability and productivity of the forest.  Conversion of mangroves into aquaculture ponds can lead to significant disturbances. These alterations may subsequently restrict the availability of essential nutrients, including nitrogen and phosphorus. This study aims to investigate the changes in soil and leaf nutrient concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus, across a chronosequence of restored (RES) and recolonized (COL) stands (with intact natural [NAT] stands as reference sites) in Sorsogon and Oriental Mindoro, Philippines. Soil and leaf samples were obtained from both seedlings and mature trees. All samples were analyzed for total nitrogen (TN) and available phosphorus (AP). TN and AP of soil and leaves showed significant differences across various stand types. However, the data did not indicate any clear age-related patterns in both the RES and COL stands. 

Younger RES (R15: 0.08 ± 0.03 %) and COL stands (C5: 0.13 ± 0.01 %) had 43 % to 7 % lower SN than the NAT stands (0.14 ± 0.01 %; p = 0.001). The AP in RES (8.97 ± 0.74 mg/kg and COL (7.05 ± 0.70 mg/kg) stands were 19 % and 36 % significantly lower than NAT stands (11.10 ± 0.84 mg/kg). This study demonstrated variations of TN and AP of soil and leaves across stand types and ages. Conventional indices for nutrient limitations of N and P (mostly in terrestrial systems) showed inconsistent indicators of nutrient limitations in mangroves. This may be due to the highly variable environmental conditions in the mangrove ecosystem, further compounded by the long-term/persistent effect of mangrove conversion to aquaculture ponds. Hence, a mangrove- specific nutrient index is suggested as a more appropriate indicator of nutrient limitation.

Tropical cyclones (TCs) post-landfall are generally expected to weaken due to loss of moisture from the ocean and friction introduced by the land surface, among other factors. However, a global spatio-temporal study in 2013 revealed 16 TC maintenance or intensification (MI) events from 1978 to 2008, but the criteria for selecting MI events in the study imposed geographical limitations that would exclude archipelagic locations like the Philippines. In this study, we perform a spatio-temporal survey adjusted for the country using the IBTrACS dataset to determine the possibility and frequency of MI events. Surface-level antecedent conditions were analyzed from the ERA5 dataset and land cover and archipelagic sea contribution to TC MI was measured using the WRF model output with varied land cover for Luzon and removed archipelagic seas in Visayas. 

We report that from 1978 to 2023, there were 8 MI events in Luzon and 25 in Visayas. A majority of MI events were of tropical storm strength and occurred primarily in Northern and Central Luzon and over the Sibuyan and Sulu Seas. Comparison of 2-week antecedent area-averaged surface heat fluxes and topsoil water content between MI events and non-MI TCs of similar track and seasonality showed little difference for both Luzon and Visayas areas. Archipelagic seas, however, were found to contribute a 40-60 kt increase in wind speed for typhoons and up to 30 kt for tropical storms. For Luzon, minimal changes in TC strength was observed with varied land cover, suggesting a different MI driving mechanism. 

Coral threats are increasing and coral reefs at different depth zones have varying responses. As shallow coral reefs are always greatly affected by these threats, studies on mesophotic coral reefs are increasing to determine whether mesophotic coral ecosystem (MCEs) may serve as refugia of shallow water corals. However, most of these studies are limited two depth points in shallow and mesophotic depths. In this study, scleractinian coral variability across depth gradient from shallow (5 meters) to upper mesophotic (40 meters) was determined in selected reefs in Mactan (Shangri-La house reef, Nalusuan reef and Hilutongan reef), and Bohol (Coco White reef, Virgen reef, and Bitoon reef). Photo transect (PT) method using a monopod was conducted at every 5-meter depth interval. Coral Point Count with Excel extensions software was used to determine coral genera composition and richness across depth gradient.

General Linear Models (GLM) suggest that all reefs have decreased coral count and coral taxonomic richness with depth. Interestingly, multi-dimensional scale (MDS) plots in corals found in the shallow depths are more dispersed than in upper mesophotic depths, indicating coral taxonomic variation between these depths. Nevertheless, some corals in 5m cluster with some corals in 40m due to the presence of depth-generalist corals. Overall, this study suggests vertical and spatial coral variations in selected reefs in Mactan and Bohol indicating the importance of understanding the corals across depth gradient.

The Philippine tiger beetle fauna is one of the most diverse globally, with over 180 taxa documented, including Cylindera (Ifasina) discreta elaphroides, a widely distributed subspecies. Despite its prominence, limited information exists on its ova. This study aimed to describe the egg morphology of C. discreta elaphroides observed on the sandy banks of the Sawaga River in Malaybalay, Bukidnon, Philippines. Eggs were examined microscopically, and morphological measurements were analyzed using statistical tools. The eggs were small (mean length 1.63 mm, width 0.94 mm), oval-shaped, and had a mean volume of 0.74 mm³. They featured a smooth, transparent chorion, aiding camouflage and ensuring proper substrate embedding. The elongation index (mean 1.74) highlighted adaptations to the sandy environment, which supports successful oviposition and embryonic development. These morphological traits align with patterns observed in other tiger beetles, emphasizing the role of substrate texture, soil moisture, and microhabitat parameters in reproductive success. This study provides baseline data on C. discreta elaphroides egg morphology, contributing to tiger beetle reproductive ecology and biodiversity conservation. 

Veterinary antibiotic use in livestock production raises increasing concerns over human exposure to residual pharmaceuticals through food consumption. Current literature indicates a gap in quantitative and dietary risk assessment involving the commonly used antibiotic classes. This study quantified tetracycline and fluoroquinolone residues in pork and chicken from three wet markets in Metro Cebu, Philippines, and evaluated associated dietary health risks. A total of 79 samples (54 pork, 25 chicken) were independently analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mean concentration of tetracycline residue in pork is 35.5 µg/kg, while fluoroquinolone was at 1.5 µg/kg. In chicken samples the fluoroquinolone concentration was at 1.6 µg/kg, all concentrations are well below the maximum residue limits established by European Union. Daily consumption rates were derived from secondary data in the Philippine Expanded National Nutrition Survey (2018–2019), stratified by wealth-quartile and age group averages. Estimated daily intakes (EDIs) ranged from 0.5 -1.23 µg/kg BW/day were calculated and were within the acceptable daily intake values (ADIs). However, the THQ values for pork-tetracycline (4.11), pork-fluoroquinolone (2.67), and chicken-fluoroquinolone (1.51) all exceeded the threshold of 1, indicating potential non-carcinogenic risk under current consumption patterns. These results underscore the need for routine monitoring in wet-market meats and further investigation into local husbandry practices, to inform evidence-based regulatory oversight and protect public health.

Figure 1. Metal concentrations in (a) sediments in and around the seaweed farm and (b) seaweed samples within the seaweed farm across different stations in different months

Antibiotic resistance is an escalating global public health threat, currently responsible for approximately 1.27 million deaths annually and projected to cause up to 10 million deaths per year by 2050. Intensified use of antibiotics in aquaculture has been linked to the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In the Philippines, the large-scale cultivation of Pacific whiteleg shrimp (Penaeus vannamei), a key species in the country's aquaculture industry, has been linked to the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria due to the frequent misuse and overuse of antibiotics in shrimp farming practices. This study aimed to isolate dominant bacterial strains from shrimp tissues and characterize them using morphological, biochemical, and molecular techniques. Furthermore, this also sought to determine the resistance profiles of the bacterial isolates to commonly used antibiotics in shrimp aquaculture farming. Shrimp samples were collected from five aquaculture farms in the province of Iloilo, Philippines. A total of 291 distinct dominant bacteria were recovered and subjected to antibiotic resistance screening. Majority of the antibiotic resistant bacterial isolates showed resistance against rifampicin (86.05%) and ampicillin (83.72%), but exhibited complete susceptibility to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole as well as to oxolinic acid. Moreover, 20.9% of the isolates had antibiotic resistance index (ARI) greater than 0.2, indicating the presence of multi-drug resistance (MDR) bacteria. Molecular identification through 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that the dominant resistant bacteria belonged to the genera Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Vibrio, and Yersinia. The findings revealed important insights into the prevalence and diversity of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in shrimp aquaculture environments.

Lake Taal, a major aquaculture site in the Philippines, supports endemic species and local fisheries. Given its ecological and socio-economic importance, understanding the vertical distribution of calanoid copepods is crucial, as they impact pelagic fish populations that sustain community livelihood. This study examines the distribution of two calanoid copepods: Pseudodiaptomus brehmi, an endemic species, and Arctodiaptomus dorsalis, an introduced species, during mixed and stratified periods in March, August, and October of 2024, as well as January 2025. Sampling sites were established in the northern (Talisay) and southern (Cuenca) basins, with zooplankton collected at 10-meter depth intervals from the lake’s subsurface to 80 meters using a Schindler-Patalas trap. Results showed significant variation in A. dorsalis density across depths, suggesting a preference for deeper waters, while P. brehmi density did not vary, indicating a more uniform distribution. Regarding site variation, A. dorsalis revealed no significant difference, whereas P. brehmi varied significantly, with higher densities in the northern basin. Seasonal variation influenced species densities, reflecting differences across mixing regimes and stratifications. In January 2025, during peak mixing, species densities declined, in contrast to the March mixing period, when both species exhibited increased densities. Similarly, densities were low during the established stratified period in August, compared to higher densities observed in October, when stratification was gradually transitioning into the mixing phase. Canonical Correspondence Analysis revealed an inverse relationship between A. dorsalis and dissolved oxygen (DO), while P. brehmi was negatively influenced by temperature and pH. These findings highlight the potential ecological interactions between calanoid copepods, which could inform conservation efforts aimed at reducing the probability of displacement and the risk of vulnerability to endemic species, given that the population in Lake Taal may be the only remaining P. brehmi population in the Philippines.

Collagen, a fibrous protein integral to the extracellular matrix of various tissues, is extensively utilized in biomedical, cosmetic, and industrial applications. However, traditional collagen sources such as bovine and porcine tissues are associated with challenges, including disease risks and dietary restrictions, which underscore the need for alternative, sustainable sources. This study explores fish gills, a commonly discarded byproduct, as a viable and sustainable source of collagen. Acid-soluble collagen (ASC) was extracted from the gills of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), and milkfish (Chanos chanos) using pretreatment and acetic acid-based extraction. Milkfish gills yielded the highest collagen (26.88 ± 0.89%), followed by Nile tilapia (21.13 ± 1.58%) and yellowfin tuna (19.13 ± 1.45%). Characterization revealed glycine and proline as dominant amino acids, and differential scanning calorimetry revealed melting temperatures ranging from 102.62°C to 109.42°C. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed a porous and fibrillary structure. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the triple-helical structure with a band intensity ratio of ~1.0 between the Amide III and 2450 cm⁻¹ bands. This study underscores the potential of utilizing fishery waste for collagen production, advancing sustainability and waste valorization in line with the circular economy.

Lake Yambo, one of Laguna’s seven maar lakes, is an emerging ecotourism site where ecological health is crucial for sustaining local livelihoods. Beyond its local significance, it represents a tropical monomictic lake that is stratified most of the year with a single annual mixing event. Many tropical lakes of moderate to great depth, including those in the Philippines, are warm monomictic, vulnerable to climate change, and understudied in terms of phytoplankton functional dynamics. To address this gap, we conducted monthly sampling from March 2024 to February 2025 across seven depths (0–30 m) to examine how monsoon-driven stratification and mixing affect vertical environmental conditions and phytoplankton functional groups. Results indicated meso-eutrophic conditions, with high total phosphorus but low chlorophyll-a concentrations, suggesting nitrogen limitation. During the southwest monsoon, stratification induced hypolimnetic anoxia accompanied by ammonia accumulation. In contrast, northeast monsoon mixing reoxygenated the water column and elevated nitrate concentrations. This seasonal variability significantly shaped the functional group composition. Most functional groups increased in biomass under high nitrate availability during full mixing. In contrast, Group H1, characterized by Dolichospermum sp., favors nitrate-limited and high-temperature conditions typical of stratified periods. Its nitrogen fixation via heterocysts supports survival in low-nitrogen conditions, and its cyanotoxin production can pose health risks to tourists and locals.  Since climate warming intensifies stratification and nitrogen limitation, harmful blooms of Group H1 may increase. This study highlights the urgent need for targeted monitoring, toxin evaluation, and public awareness to protect tropical monomictic lakes and local livelihoods under the changing climate.

Figure 1. Panel A indicates the geostrophic current velocity (arrow vectors), absolute dynamic topography (shading; m), cold eddy formation, and scatter plot for calanoid density. Panel B shows the mean Chl a concentration for satellite (shading) and in-situ (scatter plot) and vertical profiles of NO3, PO4, and in-situ Chl a. Panel C represents the combination graph of calanoid and ichthyoplankton densities (ind. m-3).

This study evaluated the ecological and social outcomes of Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) in the Carood Watershed, Bohol, specifically within the municipalities of Anda, Candijay, and Guindulman, using a mixed-methods approach. Comparative analyses revealed significantly higher biodiversity in ANR sites than in baseline and control plots, with average species richness (63.3), Shannon-Wiener index (3.66), and Margalef index (10.08) all showing statistically significant differences (p < 0.05; F-ratios: 14.8, 11.25, 14.98). Pielou’s evenness remained stable (0.88–0.90), indicating a balanced species distribution. Vegetation assessments classified ANR areas as “very high” in diversity, predominantly composed of native species such as Rhus taitensis and Ardisia elliptica. Above- ground biomass was also substantially greater, with R. taitensis and Elaeocarpus macranthus identified as major contributors. Notably, conservation-priority species—including the vulnerable Macaranga grandifolia and endangered Vitex parviflora—were found exclusively in ANR plots, whereas baseline areas showed lower diversity, dominated by Antidesma ghaesembilla. Soil analyses indicated improved site conditions in ANR areas, including elevated organic carbon (4.19– 5.11%), slightly higher pH levels (6.30–6.40), and increased phosphorus content (up to 62.86 mg/kg). Community interviews reflected strong technical knowledge and favorable perceptions of ANR, with economic incentives identified as key drivers of participation. Overall, the findings affirm ANR’s effectiveness in enhancing biodiversity, restoring ecosystem functions, and fostering community engagement which are consistent with previous studies. The study recommends enhancing institutional support, adapting site-specific protocols, and broadening community participation to strengthen ANR implementation. These results support the strategic scaling of ANR to advance national forest restoration goals and climate change mitigation commitments.

Keywords: Assisted Natural Regeneration, Forest Restoration, Species Diversity, Biomass, Soil Quality, Community Engagement, Watershed Management, Biodiversity Conservation.

Bubalus mindorensis is a critically endangered endemic mammal of Mindoro, Philippines. Due to anthropogenic and natural stressors, its population was divided into only four sites, with the largest population in Mts. Iglit-Baco Natural Park (MIBNP). Despite the protective efforts implemented in MIBNP, decline in Tamaraw populations continue to occur. Moreover, basic knowledge of Tamaraw ecology remained from the observations of Tamaraw populations in captivity and not directly from the wild whose reports remained to be anecdotal. Hence, this multidisciplinary study utilized (i) remote-sensing  data gathered from the camera trap monitoring of World Wide Fund-Philippines (WWF-Philippines) in a portion of the Critical Zone of Monitoring in MIBNP and (ii) GIS-based decision framework to map putative areas for wallowing of Tamaraw in the vast land of MIBNP. Results from the former approach in MIBNP showed the following: (1) the observed tamaraw population in MIBNP displays mainly diurnal behavior due to habitat and seasonal variations, (2) a total of 517 independent wallowing events over 1096 sampling days reveals a solitary and diurnal behavior of tamaraw wallowing (3) hourly events show B. mindorensis activity peaking at around 3:00 during full moon, while activities peak at around 20:00 during new moon, suggesting that different light conditions (minimum and maximum illumination) affect their timing rather than overall activity levels due to specific habitat types and the species’ enhanced protection within the area, and (4) tamaraw breeding season likely occurs during the transition period from dry to wet season. For the latter GIS-based approach of this study, the potential wallows in MIBNP using the weighted overlay analysis (WOA) assisted by the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) was determined. Moderate and high suitable areas were found at the north-central portion of the mountain, coinciding with the current and future conservation zones of the tamaraw. Whereas low suitable areas dominate the other half, aggregating at the corners due to build areas and agriculture. The results from this study will complement the needed science-based evidence for crafting future management and ex-situ conservation strategies stipulated in the Tamaraw Conservation Monitoring and Planning (TCMAP) of MIBNP.

Understanding fish population structure is vital for effective sustainable fishery management, particularly amid overfishing threats. The bigeye scad (Selar crumenophthalmus), a key commercial species in the Philippines, supports many livelihoods and daily subsistence for Filipinos, yet its population structure in Mindanao, remains poorly studied. Hence, this study employed landmark-based geometric morphometrics to address this knowledge gap by delineating the population stock structure of bigeye scad in selected areas of Mindanao, Philippines. Geometric morphometrics was employed using 15 anatomical landmarks to analyze body shape variation in S. crumenopthalmus across four sites from Iligan City, Sultan Naga Dimaporo (SND), General Santos City, and Surigao City (n=496). All populations were morphologically distinct (both across sites and between sexes) confirming the existence of distinct populations in southern Philippines, Mindanao.  Key morphological differences occurred in the head, snout, body depth, eye size and caudal peduncle width. Correct allocation success was highest in General Santos City (>95%), followed by Sultan Naga Dimaporo (>90%), Surigao (85%), and Iligan (81%), with an overall accuracy of 89%. Discriminant analysis revealed 94% classification success between Fisheries Management Areas 3 and 9. The morphological findings demonstrated clear delineation of multiple S. crumenophthalmus populations in Mindanao.

This population structure should be considered in management strategies to prevent localized depletion and ensure long-term sustainable fishing practices for this commercially important species.

Morphological and genetic data are essential for accurately identifying mangrove species and understanding their phenotypic variation. In this study, 90 individuals of Sonneratia alba (30 per site) across 15 municipalities were sampled from three geographically distinct sites within the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape (TSPS), Cebu, Philippines, and key morphometric traits including diameter at breast height (DBH), leaf area, and tree height were measured as it serves several ecological and conservation purposes. The canonical discriminant analysis further separated the Midwest population from the Northwest and Southwest groups, with the first canonical function explaining 69.3% of the variance. Genomic DNA was extracted from leaf tissues and amplified using the rbcL and rpL9 markers. BLAST analyses showed >99.98% sequence similarity to S. alba reference sequences in GenBank. Although rbcL was amplified in 93% of samples and confirmed species identity, it exhibited limited resolution at the species level (bootstrap support of 63%). In contrast, the rpL9 marker, despite having a lower amplification success rate (≈20%), provided superior phylogenetic discrimination with a bootstrap support of 64%. Phylogenetic reconstruction using the Neighbor-Joining method consistently grouped the Cebu samples with other Asian S. alba populations. These findings underscore the value of an integrative morphometric and molecular approach for accurate species identification in mangroves, provide a baseline for monitoring genetic consistency and regional phenotypic plasticity, and offer critical insights for conservation and restoration strategies in the face of ongoing environmental changes.

Mangrove forests play a crucial role in coastal protection, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation due to their high carbon sequestration potential. This study assessed and compared the species composition, aboveground biomass (AGB), and carbon stock of natural and reforested mangrove stands in Iligan City and Esperanza, Bacolod, Lanao del Norte, Philippines. A total of 639 individual trees from four species—Rhizophora mucronata, Rhizophora stylosa, Sonneratia alba, and Avicennia marina—were identified across both sites. The natural mangrove stands exhibited higher species diversity (Shannon-Wiener Index H’ = 0.70) and more even species distribution than the reforested stand (H’ = 0.49). Aboveground biomass and carbon stock were significantly higher in natural stands (822.54 Mg ha⁻¹ and 394.82 Mg C ha⁻¹, respectively) compared to reforested sites (451.21 Mg ha⁻¹ and 216.56 Mg C ha⁻¹). S. alba contributed most to biomass and carbon storage in natural stands, while R. mucronata dominated reforested areas. These findings highlight the ecological importance of mature mangrove forests and the limitations of low-diversity reforestation efforts. The study provides essential baseline data to inform mangrove management, conservation strategies, and carbon mitigation policies, emphasizing the need for biodiversity-inclusive restoration to maximize ecosystem services.

Disturbances on the structure and dynamics of food webs have been shown to inflict both indirect and direct effects on ecosystem functions and services. Species diversity, functional feeding groups (FFGs), and species interactions are commonly measured metrics to understand and establish food web dynamics. In this study, we determined the food web dynamics of a freshwater protected area, the Casecnan River, considering its stream habitat, trophic structure, and anthropogenic impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem functions. A total of twelve sites were established and a total of four distinct land-use types were identified. All sites were monitored for benthic macroinvertebrate assemblage and were further classified into four FFGs which were dominated by collectors (pollution-sensitive taxa), suggesting stable ecological conditions throughout the river. RDA integrating environmental and biological variables, showed significant differences in benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages and habitat quality between agricultural and residential sites versus forested areas with the latter yielded higher biodiversity and more favorable habitats. Furthermore, using stable isotopes of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) and mixing models, the food web’s basal food sources and higher-level consumers were determined, and the consumer’s respective presumed food sources were quantified. Higher-level consumers exhibited reliance on its basal food sources and primary producers which demonstrate the river’s energy transfer is rooted in its basal carbon sources. Results reveal stable ecological conditions of the river but have shown evidence of localized impacts from land-use changes, and identified an introduction of a non-native species which can all pose a threat to the natural trophic dynamics.

Keywords: Species interactions, trophic, macroinvertebrate, stable isotopes

Figure 1. Shows the map of sampling stations across the Caluya Island (a). The morning timepoint showed the highest average zooplankton biomass (b) which might be influenced by neap tide as represented in the tidal curve (c).

Seaweed farming remains as one of the highly profitable livelihoods in coastal communities in the Philippines and globally. However, ecological implications brought by the seaweed industry are presumably overshadowed by its economic advantages. Macro- and meiobenthic faunal assemblages in Kappaphycus farms in Sibutu, Tawi-Tawi were studied across cultivation methods (fixed-off bottom and floating long-line) and spatio-temporal changes. A total of 527,251 and 853,006 macro- and meiobenthic species were identified, belonging to 21 and 14 major groups, respectively. Both communities exhibited high diversity, (H’ macro, 2.47; H’ meio, 3.69), with meiofauna exhibiting higher H index and evenness (J’ macro, 0.67; J’ meio, 0.93) in comparison to macrofauna, regardless of cultivation method. Moreover, sensitive foram species dominated both assemblages, primarily by symbiont-bearing species Calcarina (63.65%) in macrofauna, and by small heterotrophic species Quinqueloculina (48.98%) in meiofauna. Foram Stress Index (FSI) was then used to assess ecological quality status (ECoQ), based on relative percentages of stress-tolerant and sensitive foram taxa. Mean FSI values were high at ≥ 7.46, indicating good ECoQ in both cultivation methods. However, stress tolerant foram taxa Elphidium spp., Bolivina spp., and Textularia spp. were found as indicator species of Kappaphycus farms. Meanwhile, spatiotemporal changes in benthic structure of Kappaphycus farms revealed that an increasing seaweed farm area equated to a decreasing seagrass cover, regardless of the number of seaweed farms. Altogether, these findings contribute to a better understanding of the influence of Kappaphycus farms to benthic ecosystems, informing sustainable management.

As one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, the Philippines is home to a wide range of endemic and threatened wildlife species, many of which are increasingly at risk due to habitat loss, hunting, and limited public awareness, highlighting the necessity to enhance public knowledge and perceptions of wildlife and its conservation. This study assessed wildlife conservation knowledge, perceptions, and challenges among communities near the karst forest of Basey, Samar, including potential environmental disturbances, and analyzed how socio-demographic factors influenced conservation knowledge. A mixed-methods approach was used, including descriptive statistics, ordinal regression analysis, key informant interviews (KIIs), focus group discussions (FGDs), a 1-kilometer transect walk, and remote sensing analysis. Barangay and occupation were significant predictors of awareness, with government employees and residents of Barangay Guirang showing higher conservation knowledge. Despite high species recognition, deeper awareness of ecological roles and conservation laws remained limited, particularly among farmers, vendors, and those in informal sectors. Field validation and satellite-derived forest cover data from 2022 to 2025 revealed no major disturbances within the protected karst forest, although some forest loss was detected in surrounding buffer zones. KIIs and FGDs revealed that subsistence-based activities—such as firewood collection and occasional hunting—continue due to limited livelihood options. Community members also expressed a lack of inclusion in conservation planning, fostering apathy or distrust toward environmental programs. The findings underscore the importance of integrating environmental education with livelihood support and participatory governance to enhance conservation outcomes and foster long-term ecological stewardship in forest-adjacent communities.

Understanding the effects of temperature on the life history of the Luzon endemic freshwater calanoid copepod Filipinodiaptomus insulanus can help predict their ecological response to thermal variation. Post-embryonic development time (pEDT), reproductive capacity, and somatic growth by length were determined in three experimental temperatures: 20 °C, 25 °C, and 30 °C under constant food and light conditions. Bělehrádek’s temperature function model described the post-embryonic development rate of F. insulanus at tested temperatures while also predicting development time within the experimental range estimating its minimum thermal threshold. pEDT indicates the shortest duration at copepodite I stage while longest at copepodite V females. Starting at the lowest temperature, decreasing duration to maturity as the temperature increases required 40-46 days, while starting at the highest temperature only needed 12-13 days, with adult males developing earlier than adult females. Optimal reproductive capacity varies across temperatures with mean clutch size and median hatching success being highest at 25°C. Inter-clutch duration and latency time shortened at higher temperature, suggesting accelerated reproduction. Somatic growth by its prosome length decreased as temperature increases, such as adult males having a shorter length than adult females. Findings of the study emphasize the copepod’s thermal sensitivity and suggests a likely shift in its life history dynamics under climate warming scenarios. This also serves as the first attempt to culture tropical freshwater copepod outside its original geographical distribution.