## 11 Coral Restoration Program in the Bicol Region, the Philippines: Experiences and Challenges
###### Abstract  
To evaluate the variation in the content and composition of lipids and understand their role during the embryonic developmental stages, major lipid classes: sterol ester (SE), wax ester (WE), triacylglycerglycerol (TAG), cholesterol, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylcholine (PC), lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), and fatty acids were assessed on the octopus coral _Galaxea fascicularis_ in this study. The gametes and embryos were homogenized with a mixture of chloroform and methanol, obtaining a biphasic system in which the chloroform layer contained the lipids. Thin layer chromatography (TLC), transesterification to fatty acid methyl ester (FAME), and gas chromatography mass spectrometry were used to determine the lipid and fatty acids content. The results showed that SE, WE, and TAG, altered in content during the different developmental stages, although not constantly, while cholesterol, PC, PE, and LPC remained unchanged in content throughout the course of the various developmental stages. Cholesterol and PC were the dominant lipids in all stages, followed by WE and LPC, which has medium lipid contents, whereas the contents of TAG, PE, and SE were significantly lower than those of the aforementioned lipid classes. In contrast with the lipid profile of the oocyte, sperm exhibited a much lower content of WE and the non-appearance of SE. However, the rest of the lipid classes showed no statistical difference in content. As concerned the content of fatty acids, there was a peak of concentration in the early stages of embryonic development with the prevalence of saturated fatty acids (SFA). On the other hand, there was a low content of fatty acids at the sperm level. This study revealed that lipid content and composition may fluctuate between embryonic developmental stages. The findings will undoubtedly assist future lipid research in other coral species.  
Benthic Community Structures with Varying Sedimentation and Water Quality Conditions in Mabini, Batangas  
**[PERSON]. *, [PERSON], [PERSON] and [PERSON] Mendoza-Pascual Department of Environmental Science, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City, Philippines * Correspondence: [EMAIL_ADDRESS]**  
study assessed and compared the hard coral cover with physical and chemical water quality parameters, such as sedimentation rate, TSS, pH, nitrate concentration, and phosphate concentrations or reefs inside and outside a marine-protected area. Samples were obtained through the photo-transect method, use of sediment traps, and standard methods for water quality assessment. Hard corals were significantly higher in the MPA, although no spatial differences were observed for sedimentation rate and water quality. Sedimentation rates, TSS, and nutrient concentrations were significantly higher during the wet season, while no temporal differences were observed for the benthic cover. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that sites were differentiated through hard coral cover, pH, and TSS concentrations, while seasons are influenced by sedimentation rates and nutrient concentrations. This study highlights the need for a ridge-to-ree approach in conserving coastal ecosystems. The current management practices of the MPA do not entirely inhibit the effects of sedimentation and nutrient pollution in the reef, which occur when run-offs from land-based activities such as infrastructure developments happen along the coast without proper management measures being set in place.