Decadal increase in seagrass biomass and temperature at the CARICOMP site in Bocas del Toro, Panama

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Main Author: Jorge M. López-Calderón
Format: Artículo científico
Language:en
Published: Universidad de Costa Rica 2013
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author Jorge M. López-Calderón
author_facet Jorge M. López-Calderón
contents Decadal increase in seagrass biomass and temperature at the CARICOMP site in Bocas del Toro, Panama Jorge M. López-Calderón Héctor M. Guzmán Gabriel E. Jácome Penélope A. G. Barnes Biología time Panama series CARICOMP Caribbean The Caribbean Coastal Marine Productivity Program (CARICOMP) was launched in 1993 to study regional long-term interactions between land and sea, taking standardized measurements of productivity and biomass of mangroves, coral reefs and seagrasses. Since 1999 continuous measurements of seagrass (Thalassia testudinum) parameters as well as environmental data have been recorded in Caribbean Panama. Replicate stations were selected near the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Bocas del Toro. Sediment cores and quadrants were placed there to estimate biomass and productivity, respectively. Mean values for productiv- ity, standing crop, turnover rate, total dry biomass, and Leaf Area Index were 1.74gDW/m2/d, 66.6gDW/m2, 2.62%/d, 1 481 gDW/m2, and 4.65, respectively. Total dry biomass (shoots, rhizomes and roots) and LAI of T. testudinum increased significantly during the study period. Mean values for total rainfall, Secchi disk depth, sea surface temperature, and salinity were 3 498mm, 8.24m, 28.79°C, and 32.26psu, respectively. Sea surface temperature was the only environmental variable with a statistically significant change, increasing from 1999 to 2010. Correlation between sea surface temperature and T. testudinum parameters (total biomass and LAI) were both positive and significant. Human population has increased dramatically over the last ten years in Bocas del Toro region, increasing pressure (deforestation, runoff, wastewater) over coastal ecosystems (seagrasses, mangroves, coral reefs). Change in the abundance of T. testudinum may be linked to ocean warming, as a con- sequence to satisfy plant’s metabolic requirements, although other local factors need to be analyzed (reduced grazing and increased eutrophication). A further warming of the ocean could have a negative effect on T. testu- dinum population, increasing respiratory demands and microbial metabolism.Rev. Biol. Trop. 61 (4): 1815-1826. Epub 2013 December 01. 2013 artículo científico 0034-7744 https://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=44930117020 en http://www.redalyc.org/revista.oa?id=449 Revista de Biología Tropical application/pdf Universidad de Costa Rica Revista de Biología Tropical (Costa Rica) Num.4 Vol.61
format Artículo científico
id redalyc_44930117020
institution Redalyc
language en
publishDate 2013
publisher Universidad de Costa Rica
spellingShingle Decadal increase in seagrass biomass and temperature at the CARICOMP site in Bocas del Toro, Panama
Jorge M. López-Calderón
Biología
time
Panama
series
CARICOMP
Caribbean
Decadal increase in seagrass biomass and temperature at the CARICOMP site in Bocas del Toro, Panama Jorge M. López-Calderón Héctor M. Guzmán Gabriel E. Jácome Penélope A. G. Barnes Biología time Panama series CARICOMP Caribbean The Caribbean Coastal Marine Productivity Program (CARICOMP) was launched in 1993 to study regional long-term interactions between land and sea, taking standardized measurements of productivity and biomass of mangroves, coral reefs and seagrasses. Since 1999 continuous measurements of seagrass (Thalassia testudinum) parameters as well as environmental data have been recorded in Caribbean Panama. Replicate stations were selected near the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Bocas del Toro. Sediment cores and quadrants were placed there to estimate biomass and productivity, respectively. Mean values for productiv- ity, standing crop, turnover rate, total dry biomass, and Leaf Area Index were 1.74gDW/m2/d, 66.6gDW/m2, 2.62%/d, 1 481 gDW/m2, and 4.65, respectively. Total dry biomass (shoots, rhizomes and roots) and LAI of T. testudinum increased significantly during the study period. Mean values for total rainfall, Secchi disk depth, sea surface temperature, and salinity were 3 498mm, 8.24m, 28.79°C, and 32.26psu, respectively. Sea surface temperature was the only environmental variable with a statistically significant change, increasing from 1999 to 2010. Correlation between sea surface temperature and T. testudinum parameters (total biomass and LAI) were both positive and significant. Human population has increased dramatically over the last ten years in Bocas del Toro region, increasing pressure (deforestation, runoff, wastewater) over coastal ecosystems (seagrasses, mangroves, coral reefs). Change in the abundance of T. testudinum may be linked to ocean warming, as a con- sequence to satisfy plant’s metabolic requirements, although other local factors need to be analyzed (reduced grazing and increased eutrophication). A further warming of the ocean could have a negative effect on T. testu- dinum population, increasing respiratory demands and microbial metabolism.Rev. Biol. Trop. 61 (4): 1815-1826. Epub 2013 December 01. 2013 artículo científico 0034-7744 https://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=44930117020 en http://www.redalyc.org/revista.oa?id=449 Revista de Biología Tropical application/pdf Universidad de Costa Rica Revista de Biología Tropical (Costa Rica) Num.4 Vol.61
title Decadal increase in seagrass biomass and temperature at the CARICOMP site in Bocas del Toro, Panama
topic Biología
time
Panama
series
CARICOMP
Caribbean
url https://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=44930117020