Eventos de blanqueamiento del coral Porites lobata (2006-2022) y actividades de restauración en el sitio Ramsar ''Complejo Los Cóbanos", El Salvador

Introducción: El blanqueamiento global coralino refleja la fragilidad del coral a condiciones ambientales adversas y al cambio climático. Porites lobata es la especie de coral hermatípico más abundante actualmente en El Salvador y ha experimentado eventos de blanqueamiento recientes en el área natural protegida Complejo Los Cóbanos. Objetivo: Describir los episodios de blanqueamiento que colonias de P. lobata experimentaron en Los Cóbanos, El Salvador, durante los últimos 18 años, y analizar los esfuerzos de restauración de coral. Métodos: Aproximadamente 2 100 imágenes (2006 - 2022) tomadas sin periodicidad específica de dos sitios fueron revisadas. Parámetros del agua desde 2014 fueron registradas sin una periodicidad temporal definida. Las áreas de estudio fueron son playa El Faro y colonias submareales cerca de un importante resort de playa. La primera área presentó colonias dispersas en una zona intermareal, la otra, colonias más grandes a 2 m de profundidad en marea baja. También, revisar literatura acerca de actividades para restaurar arrecifes dentro del país. Resultados: Varios eventos de blanqueamiento ocurrieron durante este período de observación. Algunos de ellos podrían estar asociados a temperaturas altas del agua de mar (> 30 o C) de mayo a octubre (estación lluviosa), floraciones algales nocivas, así como causas desconocidas. Varios blanqueamientos que causaron pérdida de cobertura de coral en las colonias intermareales ocurrieron durante el evento global (2015-2016). Conclusiones: Blanqueamiento en el Complejo los Cóbanos ocurre en diferentes patrones de intensidad durante la estación lluviosa que comprende niveles de alta temperatura y turbidez en el agua, así como floraciones algales. El episodio de 2015-2016 causó pérdida de cobertura de coral en las colonias intermareales y las submareales experimentaron pequeños daños permanentes (< 5 % mortalidad). Las políticas de restauración nacionales requieren más esfuerzos estratégicos considerando la hidrodinámica y las capacidades institucionales locales.

Introduction: Global coral bleaching reflects coral fragility to adverse environmental conditions and climate change. Porites lobata is the most abundant hermatypic coral species currently in El Salvador and has experienced recent bleaching events at natural protected area Complejo Los Cóbanos. Objective: To describe the bleaching episodes that colonies of P. lobata experienced at Los Cóbanos, El Salvador, during the last 18 years, and analyze coral restoration efforts. Methods: Approximately 2 100 images (2006 - 2022) taken without specific periodicity from two sites were reviewed. Water parameters since 2014 were registered without defined frequency. The areas sampled were El Faro beach and subtidal colonies near an important beach resort. The first area presented dispersed colonies on an intertidal zone, the other, larger colonies at 2 m deep in low tide. Also, literature about activities to restore reefs within the country was reviewed. Results: Several bleaching events occurred during this observation period. Some of them could be associated to high sea water temperatures (> 30 o C) from May to October (rainy season), others to harmful algae blooms, as well as unknown causes. Severe bleaching that caused loss of coral coverage on intertidal colonies occurred during the global event (2015-2016). Conclusion: Bleaching at Los Cóbanos occurs in different intensity patterns usually during the rainy season that encompasses high temperature and turbidity levels in water, as well as algal blooms. The 2015-2016 episode caused coral coverage loss on the intertidal colonies and subtidal ones experienced little permanent damages (< 5% mortality). National restoration policies for coral colonies require more strategic efforts considering the local littoral hydrodynamics and institutional capabilities.

Epigenetic profiling to environmental stressors in model and non-model organisms: Ecotoxicology perspective

Epigenetics, potentially heritable changes in genome function that occur without alterations to DNA sequence, is an important but understudied component of ecotoxicology studies. A wide spectrum of environmental challenge, such as temperature, stress, diet, toxic chemicals, are known to impact on epigenetic regulatory mechanisms. Although the role of epigenetic factors in certain biological processes, such as tumourigenesis, has been heavily investigated, in ecotoxicology field, epigenetics still have attracted little attention. In ecotoxicology, potential role of epigenetics in multi- and transgenerational phenomenon to environmental stressors needs to be unrevealed. Natural variation in the epigenetic profiles of species in responses to environmental stressors, nature of dose-response relationships for epigenetic effects, and how to incorporate this information into ecological risk assessment should also require attentions. In this review, we presented the available information on epigenetics in ecotoxicological context. For this, we have conducted a systemic review on epigenetic profiling in response to environmental stressors, mostly chemical exposure, in model organisms, as well as, in ecotoxicologically relevant wildlife species.

Epigenetic profiling to environmental stressors in model and non-model organisms: Ecotoxicology perspective

Epigenetics, potentially heritable changes in genome function that occur without alterations to DNA sequence, is an important but understudied component of ecotoxicology studies. A wide spectrum of environmental challenge, such as temperature, stress, diet, toxic chemicals, are known to impact on epigenetic regulatory mechanisms. Although the role of epigenetic factors in certain biological processes, such as tumourigenesis, has been heavily investigated, in ecotoxicology field, epigenetics still have attracted little attention. In ecotoxicology, potential role of epigenetics in multi- and transgenerational phenomenon to environmental stressors needs to be unrevealed. Natural variation in the epigenetic profiles of species in responses to environmental stressors, nature of dose-response relationships for epigenetic effects, and how to incorporate this information into ecological risk assessment should also require attentions. In this review, we presented the available information on epigenetics in ecotoxicological context. For this, we have conducted a systemic review on epigenetic profiling in response to environmental stressors, mostly chemical exposure, in model organisms, as well as, in ecotoxicologically relevant wildlife species.