Estado de conservación del ensamblaje de octocorales al Norte de Cayo Francés, Villa Clara, Cuba
Fecha
2017-12-07
Autores
Triana López, Mayilen
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Editor
Universidad Central "Marta Abreu" de Las Villas.Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias.Departamento de Biología
Resumen
Esta investigación contribuye al establecimiento de estrategias de conservación al Norte de Cayo Francés, mediante la caracterización del ensamblaje de octocorales, amenazados por el desarrollo de actividades subacuáticas, la extracción de arena en zonas cercanas y la contaminación. Para describir el ensamblaje, evaluar el estado ambiental, el grado de tensión hidrodinámica y de contaminación, e identificar las afectaciones a la salud de los octocorales, fueron distribuidas cuatro estaciones paralelas a la costa entre 8 y 10 m de profundidad. En el lugar se identificaron 30 especies, destacando Eunicea mammosa y Antillogorgia americana por su abundancia, y Carijoa riisei, por constituir un nuevo reporte para la costa Norte de Cuba. La complejidad del relieve, sobre todo en los extremos del cayo, influyó en la densidad de colonias, con una fluctuación entre 2,1±1,0 y 10,8±3,7. Los índices ecológicos evidenciaron que el ambiente es muy favorable y estable para el desarrollo de los octocorales. La incidencia de la tensión hidrodinámica se clasificó de moderada a baja. Las abundancias de especies indicadoras de contaminación reflejaron que el lugar recibe carga orgánica adicional, fundamentalmente la estación del Este del cayo, que puede ser el resultado del mal funcionamiento de las plantas de tratamiento de residuales. Se concluye que los ensamblajes de octocorales al Norte de Cayo Francés presentan buen estado de salud y, en consecuencia, alto valor para su conservación en el área. En tal sentido esta investigación establece las pautas iniciales para su manejo.
This research contributes to establishing conservation strategies to the North of Francés Key, through the characterization of the octocorals assemblage, which is threatened by the development of underwater activities, sand extraction in nearby areas and pollution. Four sampling stations were distributed parallel to the coast between 8 and 10 m depth in order to describe the assemblage, to evaluate the environmental conditions, the hydrodynamic tension and pollution degrees and to identify the octocorals health affectations. As a result, 30 species were identified, emphasizing Eunicea mammosa and Antillogorgia americana by its high abundance, and Carijoa riisei, for constituting a first report for the North coast of Cuba. The complexity of the relief, especially at both ends of the key, influenced the density of colonies, which fluctuated between 2,1 ± 1,0 and 10,8 ± 3,7 (colonies/m2). The ecological indexes showed that the environment is very favorable and stable for octocorals development. The incidence of hydrodynamic stress was classified as moderate to low. The abundance of species indicative of contamination reflected that the place receives additional organic load, mainly in the eastern station, that could be related to the malfunction of the sewage treatment plants. It is concluded that the octocorals assemblages in the North of Francés Key have good health and, consequently, high value for their conservation in the area. In this sense, this research establishes the initial guidelines for its management.
This research contributes to establishing conservation strategies to the North of Francés Key, through the characterization of the octocorals assemblage, which is threatened by the development of underwater activities, sand extraction in nearby areas and pollution. Four sampling stations were distributed parallel to the coast between 8 and 10 m depth in order to describe the assemblage, to evaluate the environmental conditions, the hydrodynamic tension and pollution degrees and to identify the octocorals health affectations. As a result, 30 species were identified, emphasizing Eunicea mammosa and Antillogorgia americana by its high abundance, and Carijoa riisei, for constituting a first report for the North coast of Cuba. The complexity of the relief, especially at both ends of the key, influenced the density of colonies, which fluctuated between 2,1 ± 1,0 and 10,8 ± 3,7 (colonies/m2). The ecological indexes showed that the environment is very favorable and stable for octocorals development. The incidence of hydrodynamic stress was classified as moderate to low. The abundance of species indicative of contamination reflected that the place receives additional organic load, mainly in the eastern station, that could be related to the malfunction of the sewage treatment plants. It is concluded that the octocorals assemblages in the North of Francés Key have good health and, consequently, high value for their conservation in the area. In this sense, this research establishes the initial guidelines for its management.
Descripción
Palabras clave
Octocorales, Arrecifes Coralinos, Biodiversidad Marina, Area Protegida