scholarly journals Cuando la conservación no puede seguir el ritmo del desarrollo: Estado de salud de los ecosistemas coralinos del Pacífico Norte de Costa Rica

2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (1-1) ◽  
pp. 280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan José Alvarado ◽  
Andrés Beita-Jiménez ◽  
Sebastián Mena ◽  
Cindy Fernández ◽  
Jorge Cortés ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
North Pacific ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Actual State ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
The North ◽  
Invasive Seaweed ◽  
Live Coral Cover ◽  
The North Pacific

Abstract: When conservation can keep up with development´s pace: Health status of coral ecosystems in the North Pacific of Costa Rica. Coral reefs are diverse and productive ecosystems, despite this, they are being threatened by human activities that enhance the detrimental impact of the natural phenomenon’s like Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB). The north Pacific of Costa Rica has been characterized as one of the best regions for the coral reefs development in the country. However, many of these ecosystems are being lost as a result of eutrophication, overfishing, invasive species and others impacts that affect the region. In the present study, live coral cover in the north Pacific was 5.0 ± 10.4(s.d.) %, with a domination in the ecosystems by turf algae. Twenty-six invertebrate taxa were registered in the region with the predominance of the sea urchin Diadema mexicanum. Ninety-four species of reef fish were identified. Snappers and some planktivores species were the groups with the highest frequency and abundance. The localities previously studied in the 1990 decade, presented a mean live coral cover between 40-50 %, whereby the actual state of the reef reflect a significant deterioration. This decline in coral cover is due to natural events like the El Niño, as well as the decrease in water quality in the region. In recent years, proliferations of the invasive seaweed Caulerpa sertularioides and high densities of bioerosive sea urchins have been reported, mainly associated with HAB events. Likewise, fish communities have low biomass, especially in the vicinity of fishing villages. The state of the reefs in the North Pacific is worrying and requires actions for its recovery and conservation, for which there must be better planning of the development of projects and activities on the coast. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(Suppl. 1): S280-S308. Epub 2018 April 01. 

scholarly journals Status of Coral Reefs in the Water of Spermonde, Makassar, South Sulawesi

2021 ◽  
Vol 324 ◽  
pp. 03007
Author(s):  
Ni Wayan Purnama Sari ◽  
Rikoh Manogar Siringoringo ◽  
Muhammad Abrar ◽  
Risandi Dwirama Putra ◽  
Raden Sutiadi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Health Index ◽  
Point Count ◽  
Live Coral Cover ◽  
Reef Health ◽  
Index Value

Observations of the condition of coral reefs have been carried out in Spermonde waters from 2015 to 2018. The method used in this observation uses Underwater Photo Transect (UPT), and the data obtained is analyzed using CPCe (Coral Point Count with Excel Extensions) software. The results show that the percentage of coral cover has increased from year to year. The percentage of live coral cover in 2015 was 19.64%, 23.60 in 2016, 23.72% in 2017, and 27.83% in 2018. The increase in live coral cover from year to year is thought to occur due to the availability of nutrients. or increasing public awareness, considering this location is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Makassar. Coral reef health index values can be used to classify coral reef health. Through the analysis of the coral reef health index, an index value of 4 was obtained, which means that the condition of the coral reefs is in the “moderate” category.

scholarly journals La experiencia del cultivo comercial de camarones marinos en estanques de producción en Costa Rica

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 87
Author(s):  
José A. Valverde-Moya ◽  
Jorge Alfaro-Montoya
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
North Pacific ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Pacific Region ◽  
Long Cycle ◽  
The North ◽  
North Pacific Region ◽  
Gulf Of Nicoya ◽  
The North Pacific

El cultivo de camarones marinos en estanques de producción en Costa Rica ha estado restringido a una pequeña fracción del territorio (1 000 ha), siendo el sector del Pacífico Norte, a ambas márgenes del Golfo de Nicoya, uno de los más productivos. En los últimos 2 años se ha logrado implementar en estas fincas un Plan de Manejo, que ha permitido obtener de manera continua y predecible niveles adecuados de producción convencional de camarón. El presente estudio describe los resultados de un Plan de Manejo utilizando densidades de siembra de 10 camarones/m2 en tres ciclos cortos (90-120 días) y 15 camarones/m2 en un ciclo largo (180 días), durante los años 2011 y 2012, en 11 estanques de fincas ubicadas en Colorado de Abangares, Guanacaste. La sobrevivencia fue mejor en los ciclos del 2011 (75% y 80%) con respecto a los del 2012 (58% y 51%) y el peso promedio final fue inferior en los ciclos cortos (11-14 g) en relación con el peso promedio ponderado, tomando en cuenta las raleas, en el ciclo largo (cerca de 20 g). Debido a que no hubo compensación en el crecimiento y la biomasa en el último ciclo con la sobrevivencia más baja, la productividad decayó a 600 kg/ha después de haberse venido dando incrementos considerables (de 1 118 a  1 263 y 1 730 kg/ha) en los tres ciclos anteriores. Se discuten posibles factores causantes de la baja productividad en este ciclo realizado a finales del 2011 e inicios del 2012.AbstractThe culture of marine shrimp in earthen ponds in Costa Rica has been restricted to a small portion of theterritory (1 000 ha), being the North Pacific region, at both margins of the Gulf of Nicoya, one of the mostproductive areas. During 2011-2012 these farms implemented a Management Plan that has allowed forcontinuously and predictably obtaining adequate levels of conventional shrimp production. The presentstudy describes the results obtained with the Management Plan used at stocking densities of 10 shrimp/m2in three short cycles (90-120 days) and 15 shrimp/m2 in one long cycle (180 days) during 2011 and 2012in 11 ponds located in Colorado de Abangares, Guanacaste. Survival was better in the 2011 cycles (75%and 80%) as compared to the 2012 cycles (58% and 51%); the final average weight was lower for the shortcycles (11-14 g) in relation to the long cycle (approximately 20 g). Because there was no compensationon growth and biomass in the last cycle with the lowest survival, productivity decreased to 600 kg/ha afterhaving obtained remarkable increments (from 1 118 to 1 263 and 1 730 kg/ha) in the three previous cycles.The possible factors causing low productivity in this cycle at the end and at the beginning of the year arediscussed in this paper.

scholarly journals Analysis on the Live Coral Cover around Weizhou Island Using MODIS Data

Sensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (19) ◽  
pp. 4309
Author(s):  
Rongyong Huang ◽  
Huiya Zhang ◽  
Kefu Yu
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Empirical Relationship ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Global Changes ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Chl A ◽  
Live Coral Cover ◽  
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer

Coral reefs are important as they can help to maintain ecological balance, biological resources, and species diversity on earth. However, they are globally threatened by human activities and climate change. As live coral cover (LCC) is regarded as an important measure of the health of coral reefs, analysis on LCC change associated with environmental parameters, such as chlorophyll-a concentration (Chl-a), sea surface temperature (SST), and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), is of great value. Research on this front would help us comprehend the changes in coral reefs induced by human activities and global changes. Instead of using spasmodically in-field-measured environmental parameters, in this study, we chose to combine the successive Chl-a, SST, and PAR products of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) with historic LCC records to establish an empirical relationship using nonlinear optimization. Thereafter, the established relationship was further used to discuss some possible developments of LCCs. According to the experiments, we concluded that the degradation of the LCC around Weizhou Island may be mainly caused by human-activity-caused eutrophication. Besides, we also showed that even if the Chl-a and the PAR can keep constant with current average levels, the corals around Weizhou Island may still be in a risk of disappearing between 2120–2140 as the SST continues to rise.

scholarly journals Defying Dissolution: Discovery of Deep-Sea Scleractinian Coral Reefs in the North Pacific

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy R. Baco ◽  
Nicole Morgan ◽  
E. Brendan Roark ◽  
Mauricio Silva ◽  
Kathryn E. F. Shamberger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reefs ◽  
North Pacific ◽  
Deep Sea ◽  
Scleractinian Coral ◽  
The North ◽  
The North Pacific

scholarly journals La experiencia del cultivo comercial de camarones marinos en estanques de producción en Costa Rica

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 87 ◽  
Author(s):  
José A. Valverde-Moya ◽  
Jorge Alfaro-Montoya
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
North Pacific ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Pacific Region ◽  
Long Cycle ◽  
The North ◽  
North Pacific Region ◽  
Gulf Of Nicoya ◽  
The North Pacific

El cultivo de camarones marinos en estanques de producción en Costa Rica ha estado restringido a una pequeña fracción del territorio (1 000 ha), siendo el sector del Pacífico Norte, a ambas márgenes del Golfo de Nicoya, uno de los más productivos. En los últimos 2 años se ha logrado implementar en estas fincas un Plan de Manejo, que ha permitido obtener de manera continua y predecible niveles adecuados de producción convencional de camarón. El presente estudio describe los resultados de un Plan de Manejo utilizando densidades de siembra de 10 camarones/m2 en tres ciclos cortos (90-120 días) y 15 camarones/m2 en un ciclo largo (180 días), durante los años 2011 y 2012, en 11 estanques de fincas ubicadas en Colorado de Abangares, Guanacaste. La sobrevivencia fue mejor en los ciclos del 2011 (75% y 80%) con respecto a los del 2012 (58% y 51%) y el peso promedio final fue inferior en los ciclos cortos (11-14 g) en relación con el peso promedio ponderado, tomando en cuenta las raleas, en el ciclo largo (cerca de 20 g). Debido a que no hubo compensación en el crecimiento y la biomasa en el último ciclo con la sobrevivencia más baja, la productividad decayó a 600 kg/ha después de haberse venido dando incrementos considerables (de 1 118 a  1 263 y 1 730 kg/ha) en los tres ciclos anteriores. Se discuten posibles factores causantes de la baja productividad en este ciclo realizado a finales del 2011 e inicios del 2012.AbstractThe culture of marine shrimp in earthen ponds in Costa Rica has been restricted to a small portion of theterritory (1 000 ha), being the North Pacific region, at both margins of the Gulf of Nicoya, one of the mostproductive areas. During 2011-2012 these farms implemented a Management Plan that has allowed forcontinuously and predictably obtaining adequate levels of conventional shrimp production. The presentstudy describes the results obtained with the Management Plan used at stocking densities of 10 shrimp/m2in three short cycles (90-120 days) and 15 shrimp/m2 in one long cycle (180 days) during 2011 and 2012in 11 ponds located in Colorado de Abangares, Guanacaste. Survival was better in the 2011 cycles (75%and 80%) as compared to the 2012 cycles (58% and 51%); the final average weight was lower for the shortcycles (11-14 g) in relation to the long cycle (approximately 20 g). Because there was no compensationon growth and biomass in the last cycle with the lowest survival, productivity decreased to 600 kg/ha afterhaving obtained remarkable increments (from 1 118 to 1 263 and 1 730 kg/ha) in the three previous cycles.The possible factors causing low productivity in this cycle at the end and at the beginning of the year arediscussed in this paper.

Distribution, diversity, and conservation of coral reefs and coral communities in the largest marine protected area of Pacific Panama (Coiba Island)

2004 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
HECTOR M. GUZMAN ◽  
CARLOS A. GUEVARA ◽  
ODALISCA BREEDY
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Protected Area ◽  
Marine Protected Area ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Scleractinian Corals ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Marine Habitats ◽  
Live Coral Cover ◽  
Coral Communities

Sampling scale and lack of attention to taxa other than scleractinian corals have limited the capacity to protect coral reefs and coral communities in Pacific Panama. The distribution of coral habitats (live coral cover) and their species richness in the largest marine protected area of Panama, the Coiba National Park (270 125 ha), is described using quadrat transects and manta tows. The species richness of scleractinian corals and octocorals was lower in coral reefs than in coral communities, and a close relationship between richness and live coral cover was observed only in coral communities. The distribution of high live coral cover in coral communities overlapped with areas of high coral species richness. Average live coral cover in communities was 64%, compared to 28% in reefs, whereas algae cover was 30% and 49%, respectively. Twenty-two coral and 34 octocoral species were observed, many only now detected in Panama as endemic or new species. Analysis of satellite imagery showed 80% of terrestrial habitats were mostly primary forest, and coral reefs and coral communities covered 1700 ha, about 2% of marine habitats. Shallow marine environments (< 20 m) had up to 60% calcareous red algae cover (rhodolite beds). Based on the distribution of live coral cover and species richness, three conservation units were identified as priority, with the southern and northernmost sides of the marine protected area as the most significant. These three areas encompass most of the rare and endemic species or populations, as well as species previously regarded as endangered.

scholarly journals CHARACTERIZATION OF THE CORAL COMMUNITIES AND REEFS OF TWO PREVIOUSLY UNDESCRIBED LOCATIONS IN THE UPWELLING REGION OF GULF OF PAPAGAYO (COSTA RICA)

2010 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Jiménez ◽  
Giovanni Bassey ◽  
Álvaro Segura ◽  
Jorge Cortés
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Coral Species ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Water Discharge ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Live Coral Cover ◽  
Coral Communities ◽  
Fresh Water Discharge

In the seasonal upwelling region of Gulf of Papagayo (Northern Pacific coast of Costa Rica), we evaluated and described two previously poorly known coral habitats, Punta Cacique and Bahía Guacamaya. Both localities differed in the extent of the frame-building coral communities and their composition. While Bahía Guacamaya and Punta Cacique had a similar number of coral species (16), live coral cover percent was higher in the coral reefs (ca. 50% vs. 90%) and coral communities (ca. 40% vs. 50%) of the latter. At both localities, branching species (Pocillopora spp.) contributed more as a group to the live coral cover than massive and encrusting corals. Bahía Guacamaya has the largest colonies found so far of two coral species (Pocillopora eydouxi and Pocillopora meandrina) with a limited distribution in Costa Rica. Using long-term records of environmental data, we characterized the seasonality of the upwelling and the dry and rainy seasons that partially explained the low suspension sediment loads and fresh water discharge into Papagayo’s coral habitats. The results of our study are important due to the rapid development of the coastal zone of Papagayo and because only a fraction of the littoral has been systematically surveyed. Therefore, we call for more studies that aim to produce baseline data of coral habitats in the area.En la región de afloramiento estacional del Golfo de Papagayo (Costa Rica), se evaluaron dos ambientes coralinos que nunca antes habían sido estudiados: Punta Cacique y Bahía Guacamaya. En ambas localidades, la extensión y la composición de las comunidades coralinas constructoras de la estructura arrecifal fueron diferentes. En tanto que el número de especies coralinas (16) fue similar en ambas localidades, el porcentaje de cobertura de coral vivo fue mayor en los arrecifes (apróximamente 50% vs. 90%) y las comunidades (aproximadamente 40% vs. 50%) coralinas de Punta Cacique. En ambos sitios, las especies de corales ramificados (Pocillopora spp.) como grupo contribuyeron más a la cobertura de coral vivo que otras formas (masivas e incrustantes).  La Bahía Guacamaya tiene las colonias más grandes encontradas hasta el momento en Costa Rica de dos especies de distribución limitada (Pocillopora eydouxi y Pocillopora meandrina). Se utilizaron series temporales extensas de datos ambientales para caracterizar la estacionalidad del afloramiento y la estación seca y la lluviosa. Estos dos factores explican parcialmente la poca sedimentación y descarga de agua dulce en los ambientes coralinos de Papagayo. Los resultados de nuestro estudio son importantes dado que apenas una pequeña fracción de la costa de Papagayo ha sido estudiada sistemáticamente a pesar del rápido desarrollo costero que ocurre en el área. Por lo tanto, resaltamos la necesidad de realizar más estudios, con el fin de obtener datos de línea base de los ambientes coralinos del área.

scholarly journals Ecosistemas coralinos del Parque Nacional Isla del Coco, Costa Rica: estructura y comparación 1987-2014

2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan José Alvarado ◽  
Andrés Beita-Jiménez ◽  
Sebastián Mena ◽  
Cindy Fernández-García ◽  
Ana Gloria Guzman-Mora ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Large Populations ◽  
Conservation Actions ◽  
Carnivorous Species ◽  
Commercial Value ◽  
Study Sites

<p><strong> </strong>Isla del Coco has one of the most diverse and well-conserved coral reefs in Costa Rica. These reefs have been extensively studied since the 1980’s, however those studies focused mainly on coral coverage. The aim of this study is to evaluate the coral reefs of the island, not only by the coverage of the substrate but also the composition of fish, invertebrates and reef complexity. A total of 17 sites around the island were sampled in July 2013 and in February-March 2014. At each site, we evaluated three depths (4-8 m, 9-12 m and 13-16 m), where three 10m long transects were sampled. Turf algae was the predominant substrate cover with 38.18±5.58 %. The crustose calcareous algae (Order Corallinales) had a 28.12±5.85 % cover and live coral was 18.64±3.55 %, with <em>Porites lobata</em> as the main reef builder. A total of 18 taxa of macroinvertebrates were observed in the study sites, of which 56 % of the species were not abundant, 33 % were common, and the sea urchin <em>Diadema mexicanum</em> was the only dominant species. The density of lobsters of the genus <em>Panulirus</em> was 388±385 ind ha<sup>-1</sup>, which is the highest density reported in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. Also we observed high densities of the sea cucumber <em>Isostichopus fuscus</em> (550 ind ha<sup>-1</sup>), which has a high commercial value. We recorded 45 338 fish individuals, distributed in 93 species, with an average of 1.2±8.5 tn ha<sup>-1</sup>. From the total of species, 51 % were uncommon, 31 % common, 11 % predominant and 8 % occasional. The fish community at Isla del Coco is represented by a large number of carnivorous species, followed by top predators, herbivores and planktivorous species. According to the fish categories of the IUCN Red List, 16 % of species are in threatened categories and represent 25 % of the total sampled biomass. When comparing with studies carried out from 1987 to the present, the recovery in coral cover over time is evident, mainly due to: 1) a decrease in the pressure of the bioerosive action of <em>D. mexicanum</em>; and 2) the conservation actions that have been taken on the island. This has been translated in complex and more rugose reefs. Isla del Coco reefs are healthy, with functional and complex food webs; where species of high commercial value have large populations. The effectiveness of conservation and management activities in Isla del Coco has resulted in the recovery of the reef communities.</p>

scholarly journals Status and conservation of coral reefs in Costa Rica

2015 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Cortés ◽  
Carlos E Jiménez ◽  
Ana C Fonseca ◽  
Juan José Alvarado
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Caribbean Coast ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Coral Communities ◽  
Algal Ridge ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
The Government

<span>Costa Rica has coral communities and reefs on the Caribbean coast and on the Pacific along the coast and off-shore islands. The Southern section of the Caribbean coast has fringing and patch reefs, carbonate banks, and an incipient algal ridge. The Pacific coast has coral communities, reefs and isolated coral colonies. Coral reefs have been seriously impacted in the last 30 years, mainly by sediments (Caribbean coast and some Pacific reefs) and by El Niño warming events (both coasts). Monitoring is being carried out at three sites on each coast. Both coasts suffered significant reductions in live coral cover in the 1980’s, but coral cover is now increasing in most sites. The government of Costa Rica is aware of the importance of coral reefs and marine environments in general, and in recent years decrees have been implemented (or are in the process of approval) to protect them, but limited resources endanger their proper management and conservation, including proper outreach to reef users and the general public.</span>

scholarly journals Ascidian diversity of Costa Rica, including new records for the North Pacific

2021 ◽  
Vol 69 (Suppl.2) ◽  
pp. S234-S245
Author(s):  
Kaylen González-Sánchez ◽  
Bryan Flores-Alvarado ◽  
Paula Montiel-Barrantes ◽  
Gonzalo Gómez-Arce ◽  
Juan-José Alvarado
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
North Pacific ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Field Trips ◽  
The North ◽  
New Material ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Available Information ◽  
Santa Elena ◽  
The North Pacific

Introduction: The class Ascidiacea has about 3 000 species, which fulfill various roles in the ecosystem, for example, they filter high amounts of particles, and are shelter and food for other animals. Furthermore, the group has a high number of invasive species reported. In Costa Rica, ascidians have been barely studied. Objective: In this study, we aim to describe the diversity of ascidians in Costa Rica from new samplings in Área de Conservación Guanacaste, North Pacific, and by compiling previous reports for the entire country in order to improve the group’s state of knowledge. Methods: Samples were collected during two field trips between 2018 and 2019, at six sites within the Gulf of Santa Elena and three sites near the Murcielago Islands area. The specimens were dissected and analyzed in detail to determine the species. All the identifications were compared with the available information from literature and from museum collections. Literature, collections databases of the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution and the new material collected were used to create an updated taxonomic list. Results: A total of eight species were obtained from 70 specimens. Of these, five are new reports for the country, which increase to 22 species the total number reported for Costa Rica. The most common species was Rhopalaea birkelandi, whose presence was higher in Santa Elena Bay. Conclusions: This study improved the knowledge of ascidian diversity in Costa Rica. Polyandrocarpa anguinea, reported for the first time, is considered invasive in other areas, which suggests the necessity of a continuous monitoring of its population. It is necessary to include more areas of the country since almost all the reported species come from the North Pacific; the diversity of ascidians from other parts of the country, especially the Caribbean, is still unknown.

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