UCN-CEAZA
Effects of isolation and fishing on the marine ecosystems of Easter Island and Salas y Gómez, Chile.
Friedlander, A., Ballesteros, E., Beets, J., Berkenpas, E., Gaymer, C., Gorny, M., & Sala, E.
An expedition to Salas y Gómez and Easter islands was conducted to develop a comprehensive baseline of the nearshore marine ecosystem, to survey seamounts of the recently created Motu Motiro Hiva Marine Park (MMHMP) – a no-take marine reserve of 150 000 km2 – and to compare these results with Easter Island where the marine ecosystem is similar but has no marine protection.
Live coral cover was surprisingly high at both Easter Island (53%) and Salas y Gómez (44%), especially considering their sub-tropical location, high wave energy environments, and geographic isolation.
Endemic and regionally-endemic species comprised 77% of the fish abundance at Easter Island and 73% at Salas y Gómez. Fish biomass at Salas y Gómez was relatively high (1.2 t ha-1) and included a large proportion of apex predators (43%), whereas at Easter Island it was almost three times lower (0.45 t ha-1) with large predators accounting for less than 2% of the biomass, despite good habitat quality.
The large cohort of small sharks and the absence of larger sharks at Salas y Gómez suggest mesopredator release consistent with recent shark fishing. The fish fauna at the seamounts between Easter Island and Salas y Gómez, outside of MMHMP, harboured 46% endemic species, including a new species of damselfish (Chromis sp. nov.) and probably a new species of Chimaera (Hydrolagus). Numerous seamounts adjacent to Salas y Gómez are currently not included in the MMHMP.
This expedition highlights the high biodiversity value of this remote part of the Pacific owing to the uniqueness (endemicity) of the fauna, large apex predator biomass, and geographic isolation.
Año: 2013
Palabras claves: Coral; biodiversity; no-take marine reserve; algae; fish; fishing.
Referencia APA: Friedlander, A., Ballesteros, E., Beets, J., Berkenpas, E., Gaymer, C., Gorny, M., & Sala, E. (2013). Effects of isolation and fishing on the marine ecosystems of Easter Island and Salas y Gómez, Chile. Aquatic Conserv: Mar. Freshw. Ecosyst., 23(4), 515-531.
Demography and feeding behavior of the kelp crab Taliepus marginatus in subtidal habitats dominated by the kelps Macrocystis pyrifera or Lessonia trabeculata.
Jofré Madariaga, D., Ortiz, M., & Thiel, M.
We studied the population and feeding ecology of the kelp crab Taliepus marginatus in subtidal kelp forests dominated by either of two morphologically different kelp species (Macrocystis pyrifera or Lessonia trabeculata) in northern Chile. The sizes and abundances of T. marginatus differed between the two kelp habitats. Kelp crabs were more abundant in the M. pyrifera forest than in the L. trabeculata forest. Size-frequency distributions showed that juvenile and immature crabs were more common in the M. pyrifera forest than in the L. trabeculata forest, where reproductive adults predominated. The smaller crabs in the M. pyrifera habitat also consumed a higher proportion of kelp tissues than the larger crabs in the L. trabeculata habitat, which had a higher proportion of animal food in their diet. In both kelp forests, individuals of T. marginatus showed a similar pattern of nocturnal feeding over a 24-h period, consuming more food at night than during the day. The more complex and dense forests of M. pyrifera appear to present better nursery habitats for juvenile kelp crabs than the more open and less dense forests dominated by L. trabeculata. These results suggest that the role of the two kelp habitats for T. marginatus varies during the life cycle of the kelp crabs, with M. pyrifera tending to have nursery function and L. trabeculata being more suitable as a reproductive habitat.
Año: 2013
Palabras claves: Habitat use; nursery habitat; reproductive habitat; diet.
Referencia APA: Jofré Madariaga, D., Ortiz, M., & Thiel, M. (2013). Demography and feeding behavior of the kelp crab Taliepus marginatus in subtidal habitats dominated by the kelps Macrocystis pyrifera or Lessonia trabeculata. Invertebrate Biology, 132(2), 133-144.
Opportunities and constraints of the institutional framework for the implementation of ecosystem-based management: The case of the Chilean coast.
Cárcamo, P., Garay-Flühmann, R., & Gaymer, C.
The implementation of ecosystem-based management usually develops from existing institutional and governance arrangements in a given area. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the institutional framework of a region or country to assess whether this framework is compatible and whether it will promote or potentially hinder the implementation of new management strategies. This paper explores the possibilities and constraints of institutional frameworks (represented by legislation) concerning the possible implementation of ecosystem-based management of the Chilean coast. We evaluated the functional fit between a conceptual ecosystem defined by stakeholders (and based on ecosystem services, threats and uses/activities) and Chilean legislation related to coastal and marine resource planning and management. First, we measured the functional fit between the defined ecosystem and legislation through a quantitative analysis based on text revision and network analysis. Second, we evaluated different management, conservation and planning instruments existing in Chilean legislation, with respect to their suitability for the implementation of ecosystem-based management. We found that Chilean legislation rarely accounts for relationships defined between the different components of the ecosystem model. We observed low functional fit potential and many gaps in legislation. However, we found that certain existing instruments in the current legislation can be used as a foundation for implementing management based on the principles and criteria of ecosystem-based management (e.g., Multiple-Use Coastal Marine Protected Areas).
Año: 2013
Palabras claves:
Referencia APA: Cárcamo, P., Garay-Flühmann, R., & Gaymer, C. (2013). Opportunities and constraints of the institutional framework for the implementation of ecosystem-based management: The case of the Chilean coast. Ocean & Coastal Management, 84, 193-203.
Interactions Between Spatially Explicit Conservation and Management Measures: Implications for the Governance of Marine Protected Areas.
Cárcamo, P. & Gaymer, C.
Marine protected areas are not established in an institutional and governance vacuum and managers should pay attention to the wider social–ecological system in which they are immersed. This article examines Islas Choros-Damas Marine Reserve, a small marine protected area located in a highly productive and biologically diverse coastal marine ecosystem in northern Chile, and the interactions between human, institutional, and ecological dimensions beyond those existing within its boundaries. Through documents analysis, surveys, and interviews, we described marine reserve implementation (governing system) and the social and natural ecosystem-to-be-governed. We analyzed the interactions and the connections between the marine reserve and other spatially explicit conservation and/or management measures existing in the area and influencing management outcomes and governance. A top-down approach with poor stakeholder involvement characterized the implementation process. The marine reserve is highly connected with other spatially explicit measures and with a wider social–ecological system through various ecological processes and socio-economic interactions. Current institutional interactions with positive effects on the management and governance are scarce, although several potential interactions may be developed. For the study area, any management action must recognize interferences from outside conditions and consider some of them (e.g., ecotourism management) as cross-cutting actions for the entire social–ecological system. We consider that institutional interactions and the development of social networks are opportunities to any collective effort aiming to improve governance of Islas Choros-Damas marine reserve. Communication of connections and interactions between marine protected areas and the wider social–ecological system (as described in this study) is proposed as a strategy to improve stakeholder participation in Chilean marine protected areas.
Año: 2013
Palabras claves: Marine protected areas, Institutional interactions, Chile, Governance, Ecosystem-based management, Social–ecological system.
Referencia APA: Cárcamo, P. & Gaymer, C. (2013). Interactions Between Spatially Explicit Conservation and Management Measures: Implications for the Governance of Marine Protected Areas. Environmental Management, 52(6), 1355-1368.
Coalescence in wild organisms of the intertidal population of Lessonia berteroana in northern Chile: management and sustainability effects.
Rodríguez, D., Oróstica, M., & Vásquez, J.
Lessonia berteroana is the subject of 85 % of the total harvest of Chilean brown seaweeds, representing close to 10 % of total kelp biomass worldwide harvested for alginic acid extraction. Frequent incidence of coalescent holdfasts was detected in natural populations, and this process gives rise to fused sporophytes. This study presents the coalescence events in natural populations in northern Chile. During 2011, in natural intertidal populations, 435 target sporophytes of different sizes were observed weekly and 63.90 % (278) showed physical signs of coalescent disks. We were able to distinguish five fusion modes depending on the number and size of each of the participant sporophytes and their spatial distribution. There was a progressive decrease of density and an increase in the number of stipes of each sporophyte over time. Two processes were recognized: active fusion of juvenile sporophytes and passive fusion of adult and senescent sporophytes. However, most of the coalescence processes were detected in juvenile sporophytes with a holdfast diameter of 0.5 to 2 cm. The minimum distance between pairs of coalescing sporophytes was 0.5 cm, and the maximum distance was 13 cm. For good harvesting practices, it is recommended that plants with over 20 cm holdfast diameter are harvested from natural populations because over this size, all of the plants have reproduced. Coalescence events would produce plants with legal size requirement; however, these plant units would not be reproductive, affecting the sustainability of this important coastal resource.
Año: 2013
Palabras claves: Lessonia berteroana population, Coalescence process, Management and sustainability.
Referencia APA: Rodríguez, D., Oróstica, M., & Vásquez, J. (2013). Coalescence in wild organisms of the intertidal population of Lessonia berteroana in northern Chile: management and sustainability effects. J Appl Phycol, 26(2), 1115-1122.
Host-use patterns and factors influencing the choice between anemone and urchin hosts by a caridean shrimp.
Ory, N., Dudgeon, & Thiel, M.
Small marine decapods often associate with other invertebrates in order to gain protection from predators. However, the factors that influence host choice by symbionts, such as shrimps, are poorly understood but may have important implications for the distribution and abundance of these mesoconsumers. In Hong Kong, the rhynchocinetid shrimp Rhynchocinetes brucei uses two alternative hosts: an urchin (Diadema setosum) and an anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor). We examined the association between R. brucei and its anemone and urchin hosts in the field and laboratory, investigating host choice and host fidelity. Underwater surveys on shallow rocky reefs in Hong Kong revealed that shrimps were rarely found outside refuges, such as crevices and holes, unless they were associated with anemones and urchins. Shrimps were more frequently associated with urchins than with anemones, although anemones were more abundant within the survey area. Host-choice experiments in the laboratory confirmed that, when given a choice, shrimps avoided open areas and associated with anemones, urchins or artificial refuges. Shrimps overwhelmingly chose urchins over artificial refuges, but did not show any clear preference for anemones over refuges. When offered a choice, shrimps displayed fidelity for their original host species (i.e. the host with which they were associated when collected from the field), suggesting that they imprinted upon the host. Host-imprinting may allow symbionts to efficiently relocate their original host species after separation (e.g. following nocturnal foraging trips) thereby, perhaps, reducing the risk of predation. However, host preference by R. brucei was facultative because shrimps would associate with an unfamiliar host when their original host was unavailable. This flexibility may allow shrimps to respond to local variability in host abundance.
Año: 2013
Palabras claves: Host-imprinting; Host selection; Refuge; Rocky reefs; Shrimp.
Referencia APA: Ory, N., Dudgeon, & Thiel, M. (2013). Host-use patterns and factors influencing the choice between anemone and urchin hosts by a caridean shrimp. Journal Of Experimental Marine Biology And Ecology, 449, 85-92.
Seasonal variation in floating persistence of detached Durvillaea antarctica (Chamisso) Hariot thalli.
Graiff, A., Karsten, U., Meyer, S., Pfender, D., Tala, F., & Thiel, M.
Several large kelp species are capable of long-distance dispersal via rafting. However, seasonal changes in environmental conditions at the sea surface may variably affect the physiological status of the floating thalli; challenging conditions during summer may accelerate disintegration and cause rapid sinking. We used the bull kelp Durvillaea antarctica from northern-central Chile (30°S) to test seasonal variation in floating persistence. Experiments with tethered specimens were conducted in all seasons to assess how variable environmental conditions influence the morphology and photosynthetic characteristics of floating D. antarctica. Floating specimens stayed afloat at the surface for more than 1 month during moderate environmental conditions that prevailed in winter, spring, and fall. However, higher water temperatures and intense solar radiation in summer resulted in significant biomass losses and rapid disintegration of the floating kelps; consequently, they sank within <1 month. These strong seasonal effects were reflected in decreasing maximal quantum yield as well as in maximum relative electron transport rates of photosynthesis. Understanding physiological responses of floating algae is important because increasing global temperatures and shifts in solar radiation may strongly affect the survival of floating algae, potentially reducing the distances and frequencies of rafting dispersal.
Año: 2013
Palabras claves: Durvillaea antarctica; floating persistence; rafting; temperature; UV radiation.
Referencia APA: Graiff, A., Karsten, U., Meyer, S., Pfender, D., Tala, F., & Thiel, M. (2013). Seasonal variation in floating persistence of detached Durvillaea antarctica (Chamisso) Hariot thalli. Botanica Marina, 56(1).
Raymond T. Bauer, Recipient of the Crustacean Society excellence in research award.
Thiel, M.
Año: 2013
Palabras claves:
Referencia APA: Toonen, R., Wilhelm, T., Maxwell, S., Wagner, D., Bowen, B., & Sheppard, C., Terorokog, T., Moffittc, R., Gaymer, C.F., et al. (2013). One size does not fit all: The emerging frontier in large-scale marine conservation. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 77(1-2), 7-10.
Dispersal of post-larval macrobenthos in subtidal sedimentary habitats: Roles of vertical diel migration, water column, bedload transport and biological traits’ expression.
Pacheco, A., Uribe, R., Thiel, M., Oliva, M., & Riascos, J.
Post-larval dispersal along the sediment–water interface is an important process in the dynamics of macrobenthic populations and communities in marine sublittoral sediments. However, the modes of post-larval dispersal in low energy sublittoral habitats have been poorly documented. Herein we examined the specific dispersal mechanisms (diel vertical migration, water column, and bedload transport) and corresponding biological traits of the dispersing assemblage. At two sublittoral sites (sheltered and exposed) along the northern coast of Chile, we installed different trap types that capture benthic organisms with specific modes of dispersal (active emergence and passive water column drifting) and also by a combination of mechanisms (bedload transport, passive suspension and settlement from the water column). Our results show that even though there were common species in all types of traps, the post-larval macrobenthic assemblage depended on specific mechanisms of dispersal. At the sheltered site, abundant emerging taxa colonized sediments that were placed 0.5 m above the bottom and bedload-transported invertebrates appeared to be associated to the passive drifting of macroalgae. At the exposed site, assemblage dispersal was driven by specific mechanisms e.g. bedload transport and active emergence. At both sites the biological traits “small size, swimming, hard exoskeleton, free living and surface position” were associated to water column and bedload dispersal. This study highlights the importance of (i) the water–sediment interface for dispersal of post-larvae in sublittoral soft-bottom habitat, and (ii) a specific set of biological traits when dispersing either along the bottom or through the water column.
Año: 2013
Palabras claves: Emerging Benthos; Bottom Currents; Soft-bottom Communities; Humboldt Current Ecosystem.
Referencia APA: Pacheco, A., Uribe, R., Thiel, M., Oliva, M., & Riascos, J. (2013). Dispersal of post-larval macrobenthos in subtidal sedimentary habitats: Roles of vertical diel migration, water column, bedload transport and biological traits' expression. Journal Of Sea Research, 77, 79-92.
Learning about TURFs and natural variability: Failure of surf clam management in Chile.
Aburto, J. & Stotz, W.
Territorial User Rights for Fisheries (TURF) is considered an appropriate tool for small-scale fishery management. In Chile a TURFs system called Management Exploitation Areas for Benthic Resources (Áreas de Manejo y Explotación de Recursos Bentónicos-AMERB) were developed as a solution for the fishery crisis of Concholepas concholepas, a hard bottom snail. The success of these AMERBs led to its widespread application across different fisheries resources and social-ecological contexts, among them the surf clam Mesodesma donacium which has a highly variable population. Traditionally, fishermen followed the sporadically appearing M. donacium beds, migrating along the coast, a behavior now suppressed under the AMERB regime. We examined the dynamics of the M. donacium fishery, evaluating the performance of the AMERB system for its sustainable exploitation. Fishermen extracted surf clams based on monthly quotas, which were conservative. Despite this, after three years the fishery of M. donacium within the AMERB collapsed because of lack of recruitment and high natural mortality. The resulting low abundances made the fishery unattractive, causing the abandonment of the AMERB. This suggests that implementation of an AMERB system must integrate knowledge of the spatial scales over which different clam beds (subpopulations) are connected. While still ignoring the structure of the metapopulation, as occurs at present for M. donacium stocks in Chile, it could be evaluated to increase capture during the periods of boom, taking advantage of surf clams that will disappear in any case due to natural mortality. A spatial reserve within each clam bed could also be established in order to conserve the unknown but potentially important role of the subpopulation for the metapopulation.
Año: 2013
Palabras claves:
Referencia APA: Aburto, J. & Stotz, W. (2013). Learning about TURFs and natural variability: Failure of surf clam management in Chile. Ocean & Coastal Management, 71, 88-98.
Identification of self-reported user behavior, education level, and preferences to reduce littering on beaches – A survey from the SE Pacific.
Eastman, L., Núñez, P., Crettier, B., & Thiel, M.
Beach litter is an environmental, health, and economic burden around the world. Reducing or eliminating beach litter requires a sound understanding of the beach users that often produce the litter. Education has consistently been promulgated as positively influencing environmental behaviors, though this is not well-investigated for the beach environment. In this citizen science project, school children surveyed the population in their various coastal communities in Chile, garnering over 900 responses nationwide. The survey included several domains concerning the problem of beach litter: demographic profiles of beach users (including education level), their littering behavior, and their disposition and preference towards solutions. Nearly half of the participants admitted to having littered in some way while the majority of those with college or graduate school education said they never litter, significantly more than lower education groups. A vast majority of the population endorsed a fine for beach littering. Community-level environmental education (for the entire population, including litterers) was the most common solution proposed by beach users, but was significantly less popular the more often the participant self-reported littering. Based on these results it is suggested that beach managers create multifaceted and localized solutions that involve several strategies (environmental education, fines, more trash cans) and also take into account the demographic profile of the beach users (including their education level), which could influence their littering behavior and support of potential solutions.
Año: 2013
Palabras claves:
Referencia APA: Eastman, L., Núñez, P., Crettier, B., & Thiel, M. (2013). Identification of self-reported user behavior, education level, and preferences to reduce littering on beaches – A survey from the SE Pacific. Ocean & Coastal Management, 78, 18-24
Isolation with differentiation followed by expansion with admixture in the tunicate Pyura chilensis.
Haye, P. & Muñoz-Herrera, N.
For Pyura chilensis, partial sequences of the gene COI revealed three highly supported haplogroups that diverged 260000 to 470000 years ago. Two haplogroups currently are widely distributed and sympatric, while one is dominant only in Los Molinos (LM, 39°50′S). The two widespread COI haplogroups underwent a geographic expansion during an interglacial period of the Late Pleistocene ca. 100000 years ago. The nuclear gene was less divergent and did not resolve the COI haplogroups. Bayesian clustering of the nuclear gene’s SNPs revealed that individuals from the two widespread COI haplogroups were mostly assigned to two of the three detected clusters and had a marked degree of admixture. The third cluster predominated in LM and showed low admixture. Haplotypic diversity of both genes was very high, there was no isolation by distance, and most localities were genetically undifferentiated; only LM was consistently differentiated with both genes analyzed.
Año: 2013
Palabras claves: Phylogeography, Genetic structure, Dispersal potential, Short-lived larvae, Connectivity, Biofouling, COI, Elongation Factor 1 alpha.
Referencia APA: Haye, P. & Muñoz-Herrera, N. (2013). Isolation with differentiation followed by expansion with admixture in the tunicate Pyura chilensis. BMC Evol Biol, 13(1), 252.