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“The world’s finest wilderness lies beyond the waves.”

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Manila Ocean Park

General History of Ex-Situ Conservation site:

The park is owned by China Oceanis Philippines Incorporated, which is a subsidiary of China Oceanus Group Ltd (COG). Specializations of the company include: investment, putting up, and operation of various oceanarium attractions. After several years of experience, the group responsible for running this company  now comprises of an experienced team of specialists that are experts on providing services to the developers as well as operators of different public aquarium facilities.

Conservation Strategy and Management Practices:

1. Endangered species are banned in the area.

2. Coastal resource management is being employed in places where the species found in the park are retrieved from.

3.Energy-efficiency is considered to be a priority in the running of the park’s operations

4. Those working in the park are constantly being updated regarding the threatened and endangered organisms in the country.

Some freshwater and marine organisms in the area:

1. Large Tooth Sawfish- member of a group of fish called elasmobranchs, whose skeletons comprise of cartilage. These organisms can grow up to 23 feet long and may weigh up to 1,300 pounds. They have a life span of up to 80 years.

2. Sharks- also a member of the elasmobranchs. Distinct five to seven gill slits are found to be present near the side of the head of these organisms. There are more than 465 identified species living in the marine systems as of today.

3. Stringrays- These are flattened fishes that are closely related to sharks. They have no bones present in the body. Instead, their bodies are made up of flexible cartilage. They are oviparous creatures, which means that they lay eggs and these eggs are enclosed and protected by what is known as a “mermaid’s purse.”

3. Sea Lions- sea mammals that are quadrupedals (can walk on all fours). They have external ear flaps, elongated foreflippers, short and thick hair, and a big abdomen. They are categorized under family Otariidae.

4. Jellyfish- were already present before dinosaurs even strived to live on Earth. These are jellylike creatures that move along the ocean currents and are usually abundant in cold as well as warm ocean water and even along the coastlines. They are characterized by their tiny stinging cells found in their tentacles which serve to stun the prey before devouring them.

5. Glassy Perchlet- found mainly in Asia and can grow up to 3.9cm in length. These are categorized under family Ambassidae of order Perciformes, which is the only species in the genus Chanda. They usually are found in coastal and brackish waters, and may even strive in freshwaters.

6. Common seahorse- these organisms can easily blend into their surroundings and are among the smallest seahorse species found all over the globe. What appears to be crowns located on the top of the heads of the seahorses are actually very distinct in each organism and can be likened to fingerprints of humans.

7. Starfish- They can also be called as “sea stars” and are star-shaped echinoderms under class Asteroidea. There are up to 2,000 living species of sea stars identified all over the world. Most species have five arms but some may have up to 40.

8. Clownfish- Also known as anemonefish. They belong to subfamily Amphiprioninae in the family Pomacentridae. They are known to have symbiotic mutualism relationship with the sea anemones. A popular animated movie entitled: “Nemo” is inspired by this marine organism.

9.Saddleback butterflyfish- has the scientific name: Chaetodon ephippium and resides along the Indian and Pacific Oceans from Sri Lanka, north to southern Japan, and New South Wales in Australia. What makes them unique  is the presence of a large black “saddle” with white border found on its upper body.

10. Pajama Cardinalfish- also known as pajama cardinalfish, spotted cardinaldish, coral cardinalfish, and polkadot cardinalfish. This is actually a very common and popular aquarium fish. Its body comprises of a rainbow of colors and has a greenish-yellow colored face.

Trivia:

Water coming from Manila Bay is actually being filtered and used as the water source for the park’s Oceanarium. The special filtering process is being conducted so as to ensure that the quality of water is suitable for marine life.

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Metro Manila

Manila, Philippines

Dominant species: Humans and Mosquitos

Keystone species:   Terrestrial mammals (dogs, cats, etc.) and birds (such as: Eurasian Tree Sparrow or Maya )

Soil characteristics:

Manila is composed of very deep, well-drained, and slowly-permeable soils that are not quite ideal for vegetation

Species interactions:

Species interact in different manners. The different relationships that organisms engage in would be:

1. Mutualism- both species interacting would benefit.

Example: the bee and the flower. Bees gather nectar from flowers which serve as they food. Flowers, on the other hand, are benefitted since upon transfer of the bee from one flower to another, pollination of the plant takes place.

2. Commensalism- an association wherein one organism benefits and the other is neither benefitted nor harmed.

Example: A hermit crab that uses another gastropod’s shell for protection

3. Competition- interaction where both organisms are harmed.

Example: dogs competing for food.

4. Predation (including herbivory and parasitism)- one organism is benefitted by means of killing its prey.

Example: A cat’s diet consists of fishes, rats.

Hydrologic Characteristics:

Water in Manila is quite more polluted as opposed to water found in different parts of the country. Moreover, it is scarce. As a matter of fact, people from different communities line up for hours just to get it from a single water source.

Climate:

Considering the climate here in Baguio, and even in other industrialized cities all over the country where I’ve been to, it is still very much noticeable that the climate in Manila is much more hot and humid.

Other ecological problems:

1. Air pollution (mostly coming from vehicular and factory emissions)

2. Wastes are not properly segregated and are found along the streets and even on aquatic systems

3. Practice of open defecation in some areas

4. Degradation of habitats of certain organisms

5. Overhunting of different species

Urban Metabolism:

The raw resources being utilized in the urban system must be used in a sustainable manner. Energy efficiency must be considered an utmost priority. Every single input that is being used up in the system must not be put to waste. Instead of consuming non-renewable energy, for instance, we can make use of the solar panels being sold in the market nowadays in order to keep our appliances running. Yes, it may be costly initially. However, in the long run, we get to save a lot more energy while contributing to the betterment of the environment which is why it is inferable that this is a better method that could be adapted especially by the people residing in the urban areas.

It is also important that the products generated from the different materials be used for a different purpose. For instance, since banning of plastics is not yet being employed in majority of the cities in the country, we must come up with ways as to how we can minimize them and/or reuse them again. Furthermore, water, as we all know, is something that is non-renewable. Thus, it is necessary that we make sure to replenish our aquifer systems in order to have more supplies of this significant resource. Ways as to how we can do this are the following: plant more trees and reduce pollution both uphill and downhill.

As for the emissions, there are cars being sold nowadays that are more environmental-friendly. These vehicles emit less toxic and low carbon compounds when they run. We can also help by rather choosing to walk short distances in order to lessen our carbon footprints.

One great thing comes from something small. If each and every single one of us would just show willingness in order to conserve the only home that we have, then this world would be a better place to live in not only for us but for the succeeding generations as well.

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Reflection

Prior to taking up Environmental Science, it can be said that I was a bit apathetic or indifferent towards the problems currently being faced by the environment. However, as I went through the entire duration of the course, I was able to ponder on how the things that we do affect the ecosystem in one way or another. It could be an act as simple as throwing an empty candy wrapper along the sides of the streets, or as big as exporting the wastes generated by one country to another so as to get rid of them. Each and every single one of these activities bring about impact to the home we are currently residing in. The most alarming thing about this is that what we do could have major effects on us. We are putting our own health and lives at risk if we do not do something to mitigate or reduce the environmental issues being faced globally today.

The good thing about this is that it is not too late to take actions regarding these problems. Even after taking up this course, I would continue to spread awareness and do my part as a steward of this creation. It’s all a matter of setting our own priorities, really. We must find it within ourselves to do our due responsibilities in caring for the environment. I am quite hopeful that there is a better future ahead of us if only we will work hand in hand in making this world a better one to live in.

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“Be part of the solution, not part of the problem.”

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If we could feel what we are doing to the Earth, we would stop immediately.

Terence McKenna (via stardust-seedling)