Ecosistemas coralinos del Área de Conservación Osa, Costa Rica: estructura y necesidades de conservación

Barrientos, Juan José; Beita-Jiménez, Andrés; Mena, Sebastián; Fernández‐García, Cindy; Guzmán-Mora, Ana Gloria

doi:10.15517/rbt.v63i1.23105

Cited by 10 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…Three to six belt transects ( n = 129) separated by 3 m were deployed parallel to the coast at each site. To determine the benthic composition, a 1 m 2 quadrant divided into 0.01 m 2 cells was placed every meter along each transect line (Alvarado et al, ). One diver counted the number of cells occupied by live coral, bleached coral, macroalgae, turf, encrusting algae, crustose calcareous algae (CCA), rubble, and sand.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial and temporal changes in reef fish assemblages on disturbed coral reefs, north Pacific coast of Costa Rica

Arias‐Godínez

Jiménez²,

Gamboa³

et al. 2019

Marine Ecology

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Benthic structure of coral reefs determines the availability of refuges and food sources. Therefore, structural changes caused by natural and anthropogenic disturbances can have negative impacts on reef‐associated communities. During the 1990s, coral reefs from Bahía Culebra were considered among the most diverse ecosystems along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica; however, recently they have undergone severe deterioration as consequence of chronic stressors such as El Niño‐Southern Oscillation and harmful algal blooms. Reef fish populations in this area have also been intensely exploited. This study compared reef fish assemblages during two periods (1995–1996 and 2014–2016), to determine whether they have experienced changes as a result of natural and anthropogenic disturbances. For both periods, benthic composition and reef fish abundance were recorded using underwater visual censuses. Live coral cover (LCC) decreased from 43.09 ± 18.65% in 1995–1996 to 1.25 ± 2.42% in 2014–2016 (U = 36, p < 0.05). Macroalgal cover (%) in 2014–2016 was sixfold higher than mean values reported for the Eastern Tropical Pacific region. Mean (±SD) fish species richness in 1995–1996 (36.67 ± 14.20) was higher than in 2014–2016 (23.00 ± 9.14; U = 20, p < 0.05). Over 40% of reef fish orders observed in 1995–1996 were not detected in the 2014–2016 surveys, including large‐bodied predators. Reduction in abundance of fish predators such as sharks, grunts, and snappers is likely attributed to changes in habitat structure. Herbivorous such as parrotfishes and pufferfishes increased their abundance at sites with low LCC, probably in response to predators decline and increased algal cover. These findings revealed significant degradation and drastic loss of structural complexity in coral reefs from Bahía Culebra, which now are dominated by macroalgae. The large reduction in structural complexity of coral reefs has resulted in the loss of diversity and key ecological roles (e.g., predation and herbivory), thus potentially reducing the resilience of the entire ecosystem.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial and temporal changes in reef fish assemblages on disturbed coral reefs, north Pacific coast of Costa Rica

Arias‐Godínez

Jiménez²,

Gamboa³

et al. 2019

Marine Ecology

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“…Environmental conditions promoted coral reef growth in the past but are deteriorating mainly due to siltation (Cortés, 1990;Cortés, 1992;Cortés et al, 2010;Cortés, 2016). However, a Psammocora stellata reef increased its coral coverage from 46 to 83 % since 1990 (Alvarado et al, 2015). More healthy patches of coral are found in the outer gulf and are characterized by a higher richness of species.…”

Section: Coral Reefsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A fjord-like tropical ecosystem, Pacific coast of Costa Rica: overview of research in Golfo Dulce

Vargas-Zamora¹,

Gómez-Ramírez

Moráles-Ramírez

2021

Rev. Biol. Trop.

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Introduction: Coastal ecosystems worldwide are under the influence of local, regional and global stressors, such as pollution, eutrophication and climate change. Golfo Dulce is a relatively pristine and accessible deep tropical ecosystem that provides opportunities for comparative and collaborative research. Objective: To summarize published reports on past research conducted in this ecosystem, identify topics for further study, and suggest new research issues. Methods: A search was made on the web for reports based on research conducted in Golfo Dulce and published in scientific journals. Reports focusing on environmental parameters and on the biota were included. Results: A total of 123 studies that include data from Golfo Dulce are cited. The four topics more frequently addressed were reports based on the results of the R/V Victor Hensen expedition (1993-1994) and follow-up work on microbiology, studies on water parameters, research on vertebrates, and zooplankton studies. The reports focusing on vertical profiles of oxygen and temperature are discussed in detail, followed by those on the biota. Conclusions: Golfo Dulce has low oxygen concentrations below 50 m and is frequently anoxic at the 200 m deep basin with occasional formation of H2S. However, the ecosystem contains a relatively high diversity of identified organisms, from bacteria to whales. Of particular relevance for future studies are multidisciplinary surveys aiming at obtaining data on primary productivity, the diversity and biomass of the main groups of planktonic, demersal and benthic organisms, and the frequency and magnitude of the influx of deep offshore waters over the sill into the basin. These data, as well as the information gathered in the past, are essential for updating the trophic model developed more than 25 years ago and in support of new predictive models on the functioning of the ecosystem.

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“…Although ), the distribution geographic record of invertebrates and fishes observed in this study contribute to the knowledge of marine biodiversity in conservation priority areas (North Pacific of Costa Rica) and/or sites (marine sector of conservation areas) identified in the country (Alvarado et al, 2011;Cortés, 2012;Cortés, 2014;Cortés, 2017;SINAC-MINAET, 2008). Moreover, it contributes to the research efforts on the biodiversity of marine ecosystems of the Pacific shores of Costa Rica (Cortés, 2012;Cortés, 2016) (Alvarado & Chiriboga, 2008;Alvarado et al, 2015;Alvarado et al, 2018;Cortés, 1996Cortés, /1997.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While in February, the other four sites (S1, S3, S4 and S6) were visited. Census followed standard band transect methodology described in previous studies (Alvarado et al, 2015;Alvarado et al, 2016). In each marine ecosystem, 10 m long transects, parallels to shore line and separated 10 m between them, were conducted by a single diver swimming to register the composition and abundance of invertebrates and conspicuous fishes.…”

Section: Field Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Checklist of invertebrates and conspicuous fishes in rocky reefs and Sargassum beds in the North Pacific of Costa Rica

2021

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Introduction: The marine biodiversity is well known in some areas and for some marine ecosystems of the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The marine sector of Área de Conservación Guanacaste, in the North Pacific of the country, is a priority area for conservation of marine and coastal biodiversity. Objective: Our aim was to increase the knowledge of marine biodiversity in a conservation priority site in Costa Rica and in poorly or scarcely studied marine ecosystems, such as rocky reefs and Sargassum beds, respectively. Methods: The study was conducted in Bahía Salinas and Golfo de Santa Elena in 2013. In January, four rocky reefs were visited; while in February three rocky reefs and one Sargassum bed were visited. We identified the macroinvertebrates and conspicuous fish species through underwater visual census methods (timed swim and band transects). The mean density of each species was estimated through band transects method. Results: A total of 25 invertebrates and 34 fish species were identified. We found a high number of species of invertebrates (23) and fish species (33) in rocky reefs, but few species on Sargassum beds (eight invertebrates and ten fish species). Species composition differed between marine ecosystems. Conclusions: Our study further evidence the limited knowledge of invertebrates and fish communities in these marine ecosystems in the North Pacific of Costa Rica. Considerably more surveys and field work are required to support management decisions that are backed by sound scientific knowledge.

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Ecosistemas coralinos del Área de Conservación Osa, Costa Rica: estructura y necesidades de conservación

Cited by 10 publications

References 43 publications

Spatial and temporal changes in reef fish assemblages on disturbed coral reefs, north Pacific coast of Costa Rica

Spatial and temporal changes in reef fish assemblages on disturbed coral reefs, north Pacific coast of Costa Rica

A fjord-like tropical ecosystem, Pacific coast of Costa Rica: overview of research in Golfo Dulce

Checklist of invertebrates and conspicuous fishes in rocky reefs and Sargassum beds in the North Pacific of Costa Rica

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