‘marine research center philippines thesis - Facebook Search Naif Lontoc Macabuhay pil 24 UP Marine Science Society Liked April 20 ‘Ave giant clams important? (1) Giant clam tissues and discharges are food for a wide array of marine organisms (e.g. mollusks, echinoderms, crustaceans, flatworms, and fishes). Hance, their loss ‘means reduced food sources for organisms that depend on them. (2) Their shells provide surtaces for colonization of epibionts (e.g. algae, bamacies, rhudibranchs, and even hard corals), Their mantle cavities provide refuge for crabs, shrimps, and juvenile fishes. Harvesting giant clams takes away potential homes for various marine eriters. (3) They contribute to reef build-up by providing higher relief and structures in coral reefs, Ergo, they create habitat for other organisms (which may be necessary for evasion from predators). (4) Giant clams potentially counteract eutrophication (nutrient enrichment that typically leads to algal overgrowth) via water fitering and nutrient sequestration. Therefore, they help maintain tolerable/ optimal water conditions for reef organisms, (5) They affect local water flow which benefits coral reefs through hindering sedimentation and improving food infu. So yes, giant clams matter, people! Wanna know more? ‘See these helpful and informative sources: Gamer at al 200% tps: facebook com/searchtop!?¢=marine research center philippines tesis&epa-SEARCH_BOX 1arzsizo19 tps: facebook com/searchitop! marine research center philippines thesis - Facebook Search (https:frepository seafdec.org,phvhandle/10862/2932) Neo et al. 2015 (https:iimww.sciencedirect com. /atic...jpil'$00063207 14004212) James Keagan, 2015 (https:/sharkresearch.rsmas.miami.edu/the-understanding-of.../) Bonus: "Where it all began" COverexplotation of giant clams has resulted in the scarcity of most indigenous. species, and to some extent, extirpation (local extinction). Inthe late 1980s, the WorldFish Center and ACIAR (Australian Cente for International Agricultural Research) organized a collaborative effort with various institutions including UP MSI of the Philippines to combat such issues. In 1992, funding from ACIAR ceased but the Giant Clam Project continued with ‘support from International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada. Years later, the grant may have ended but the efforts to continue the restocking activities and conservation have never wavered, The Bolinao Marine Laboratory (BML) of UPMSI ‘made Giant Clam Restocking as one of its flagship activities, and with the help of ‘many institutions in the country (from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao), more than {50,000 individuals of tridacnine species have been restocked in more than 40 sites in the Philippines. ‘The work is never over. Scientists, research and academic institutions al over the Philippines, and BML will continue the legacy of "ensuring we will have many giant clams to return to our reefs someday" ‘And YES, you can helo. Visit: BML Adopt-a-Clam facebook page: (https:iAwww-facebook.com/BMLadoptaclam/?__tn__=} Ré&eid=ARBr84ycaJHp9n3AVL6CpXqTaxtl2WX4B2qmDUDI4EJQWwOméTKhke7UL, ‘4gl07_Ve8kaVRUsPyBtCBb&tref=mentions) Photo Credit UP-MSI Bolinao Marine Laboratory (https:ivww-facebook.comupbolinaomarinelab) Like Comment Share -marine research center philippines thesis&epa-SEARCH_BOX