ALBERT

Description: Gene and whole-genome duplications are widespread in plant nuclear genomes, resulting in sequence heterogeneity. Identification of duplicated genes may be particularly challenging in highly redundant genomes, especially when there are no diploid parents as a reference. Here, we developed a pipeline to detect the different copies in the ribosomal RNA gene family in the hexaploid grass Spartina maritima from next-generation sequencing (Roche-454) reads. The heterogeneity of the different domains of the highly repeated 45S unit was explored by identifying single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and assembling reads based on shared polymorphisms. SNPs were validated using comparisons with Illumina sequence data sets and by cloning and Sanger (re)sequencing. Using this approach, 29 validated polymorphisms and 11 validated haplotypes were reported (out of 34 and 20, respectively, that were initially predicted by our program). The rDNA domains of S. maritima have similar lengths as those found in other Poaceae, apart from the 5'-ETS, which is approximately two-times longer in S. maritima . Sequence homogeneity was encountered in coding regions and both internal transcribed spacers (ITS), whereas high intragenomic variability was detected in the intergenic spacer (IGS) and the external transcribed spacer (ETS). Molecular cytogenetic analysis by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) revealed the presence of one pair of 45S rDNA signals on the chromosomes of S. maritima instead of three expected pairs for a hexaploid genome, indicating loss of duplicated homeologous loci through the diploidization process. The procedure developed here may be used at any ploidy level and using different sequencing technologies.

Description: After several tsunami events with disastrous consequences around the world, coastal countries have realized the need to be prepared to minimize human mortality and damage to coastal infrastructures, livelihoods and resources. The international scientific community is striving to develop and validate methodologies for tsunami hazard and vulnerability and risk assessments. The vulnerability of coastal communities is usually assessed through the definition of sets of indicators based on previous literature and/or post-tsunami reports, as well as on the available data for the study site. The aim of this work is to validate, in light of past tsunami events, the indicators currently proposed by the scientific community to measure human vulnerability, to improve their definition and selection as well as to analyse their validity for different country development profiles. The events analysed are the 2011 Great Tohoku tsunami, the 2010 Chilean tsunami, the 2009 Samoan tsunami and the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. The results obtained highlight the need for considering both permanent and temporal human exposure, the former requiring some hazard numerical modelling, while the latter is related to site-specific livelihoods, cultural traditions and gender roles. The most vulnerable age groups are the elderly and children, the former having much higher mortality rates. Female mortality is not always higher than male mortality and not always related to dependency issues. Higher numbers of disabled people do not always translate into higher numbers of victims. Besides, it is clear that mortality is not only related to the characteristics of the population but also of the buildings. A high correlation has been found between the affected buildings and the number of victims, being very high for completely damaged buildings. Distance to the sea, building materials and expected water depths are important determining factors regarding the type of damage to buildings.

Description: After several tsunami events with disastrous consequences around the world, coastal countries have realized the need to be prepared to minimize human mortality and damage to coastal infrastructures, livelihoods and resources. The international scientific community is striving to develop and validate methodologies for tsunami hazard and vulnerability and risk assessments. The vulnerability of coastal communities is usually assessed through the definition of sets of indicators based on previous literature and/or post-tsunami reports, as well as on the available data for the study site. The aim of this work is to validate in light of past tsunami events the indicators currently proposed by the scientific community to measure human vulnerability, to improve their definition and selection as well as to analyse their validity for different country development profiles. The events analyzed are the 2011 Great Tohoku tsunami, the 2010 Chilean tsunami, the 2009 Samoan tsunami and the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. The results obtained highlight the need for considering both permanent and temporal human exposure, the former requiring some hazard numerical modelling while the latter is related to site-specific livelihoods, cultural traditions and gender roles. The most vulnerable age groups are the elderly adults and the children, the former having much higher mortality rates. Female mortality is not always higher than male and not always related to dependency issues. Higher numbers of disabled people do not always translate into higher numbers of victims. Besides, it is clear that mortality is not only related to the characteristics of the population but also the buildings. A high correlation has been found between the affected buildings and the number of victims, being very high for completely damaged buildings. Distance to the sea, building materials and expected water depths are highly determining factors regarding the type of damage in buildings.

Description: In June 2021, UNESCO IOC approved the Ocean Decade Tsunami Programme (ODTP) in response to the call to action by the UN Ocean Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). The ODTP has two overarching goals: (1) develop the warning system’s capability to issue actionable and timely forecasts for tsunamis from all identified sources for all communities at risk, and (2) 100% of communities at risk are prepared and resilient to tsunamis by 2030. In 2022, a Scientific Committee for ODTP was established to develop a 10-Year Research, Development and Implementation Plan to reach these two objectives. This presentation will focus on three of the four areas of the plan: -Enhance tsunami risk assessments and research on technologies, so the countries know their expected vulnerability and threat (tsunami characteristics), and can identify and prioritize the at-risk communities. -Ensure all National Tsunami Warning Centres have access to data, tools and communication platforms, protocols and training to timely and effectively warn coastal and maritime communities threatened by tsunamis and other coastal hazards that are integrated into a multi-hazard framework. -Emphasize the importance of building tsunami resilient communities that are prepared and ready to respond through the UNESCO IOC Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme. Tsunami Ready is a global, voluntary community-based effort approved in 2022. It has 12 indicators categorized into Assessment, Preparedness and Response, and thus addresses all of the three aforementioned areas of the Plan. The objectives will be achieved through involvement of stakeholders at all levels and attention on capacity development and governance.

Description: One of the societal outcomes of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) is a Safe Ocean. The Sub Commission for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Commission (IOCARIBE) hosted in 2020-2022 events to facilitate the co-design of actions for the different Ocean Decade Outcomes and Capacity Development. For the Safe Ocean outcome, the project Integrating Coastal Hazard Early Warning Systems for the Tropical Americas and Caribbean (iCHEWS) was submitted. It was endorsed in June 2022 and attached to the Ocean Decade Programme Coast Predict (University of Bologna). iCHEWS prioritizes the integration of existing and new coastal hazards early warning systems and services considering four components: Risk Knowledge, Monitoring and Forecasting, Warning Dissemination and Communication, and Response Capabilities, with cross cutting governance and capacity development considerations. Hazards considered to be of highest priority were: Climate Change and its cascading impacts, including but not limited to more intense and frequent tropical cyclones and sea level rise, tsunamis, sargassum, wastewater, oil spills, and coral bleaching. Linkages to regional and international efforts (Target G of the Sendai Framework, and the United Nations Early Warning for All Initiative) and national and local priorities would be maximized and strengthened. The creation of a sustainable and responsive Governance and Management framework is under discussion. Principals of iCHEWS have begun conversations with Coast Predict. As a Demonstration Product, the definition of a regional Blue Line, defining an all-inclusive coastal inundation (storm surge, tsunami, sea level rise) has been proposed.

Description: In June 2022 the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO established the Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme. It is modelled after the US TsunamiReady® Program established in 2001. To receive Tsunami Ready recognition, each community must meet 12 indicators that cover Assessment, Preparedness, and Response. The recognition is renewable every four years. The Tsunami Information Centres in each region (ITIC in the Pacific, CTIC in the Caribbean, IOTIC in the Indian Ocean and NEAMTIC in the Mediterranean and Northeast Atlantic) facilitate the implementation of this Programme. To date, more than 30 communities in 20 countries in the Pacific and Caribbean, and 40 globally have been recognized. ITIC and its Caribbean Office (previously known as the Caribbean Tsunami Warning Program) have been supporting the program in its different phases since 2012. In 2014, Anguilla, a UK Territory in the Caribbean, was the first to be recognized. Currently, with funding from USAID, ITIC, in coordination with CTIC for the Caribbean, is leading TR projects in several SIDS in the Caribbean and Pacific. It is also providing support through capacity development and sharing of best practices worldwide. Additionally, ITIC hosts the website for the Programme (tsunamiready.org). By conducting this work ITIC and CTIC and the countries, communities and other stakeholders will be contributing to the IOC Ocean Decade Tsunami Programme and specifically the goal of 100% of communities at risk are prepared and resilient to tsunamis by 2030. An overview on the implementation process, deliverables and challenges will be presented.