ISBN: 3540672281
TITLE: Coastal Marine Ecosystems of Latin America
AUTHOR: Seeliger, U.; Kjerfve, B. (Eds.)
TOC:

The Tectonic and Geological Environment of Coastal South America 1
J.N. Kellog and W.U. Mohriak
1 Introduction 1
2 The Atlantic Continental Margin 1
2.1 Physiographic Features 1
2.2 Structural and Stratigraphic Evolution 4
3 The Andean Margin 6
3.1 Geomorphology and Active Tectonics 6
3.2 Tectonic History 9
4 The North Andean and Caribbean Margins 10
4.1 Geomorphology and Active Tectonics 10
4.2 Tectonic History 11
References 13
1 The Gulf of Honduras 17
W.D. Heyman and B. Kjerfve
1.1 Introduction 17
1.2 Hydrometeorology and Oceanography 18
1.3 Habitats, Diversity, and Productivity 21
1.3.1 Coastal Lagoons 22
1.3.2 Coastal Embayments 23
1.3.3 Inner Cays 24
1.3.4 Mid Lagoon Cays 25
1.3.5 Barrier Reef 25
1.3.6 Open Ocean Environment 26
1.4 Land Use and Economic Activities 26
1.5 Marine-Protected Areas 28
1.6 Integrated Coastal Zone Management 29
References 31
2 The Coastal Lagoon Cinaga Grande De Santa Marta, Colombia 33
J. Polana, A. Santos-Martnez, J.E. Mancera-Pineda, and L. Botero Arboleda
2.1 Introduction 33
2.2 Environmental Setting 33
2.3 Biotic Components 36
2.3.1 Plankton 36
2.3.2 Invertebrates 36
2.3.3 Fishes 37
2.3.4 Birds, Reptiles, and Mammals 38
2.3.5 Mangroves 38
2.4 Trophic Structure 39
2.5 Human Impact and Fisheries 40
2.6 Management 43
References 44
3 The Maracaibo System,Venezuela 47
G. Rodrguez
3.1 Introduction 47
3.2 Environmental Factors 47
3.2.1 Tides and Circulation 49
3.2.2 Physico-chemical Characteristics 50
3.2.3 Nutrients 51
3.3 Biological Components 51
3.3.1 Benthic Communities 51
3.3.2 Plankton Communities 53
3.3.3 Vertebrates 54
3.4 Production Processes 55
3.5 Environmental Issues 56
3.6 Management Considerations 58
References 59
4 The Orinoco River Delta,Venezuela 61
J.E. Conde
4.1 Introduction 61
4.2 Environmental Setting 61
4.3 Biological Components 64
4.3.1 Phytoplankton Community 64
4.3.2 Vegetation 64
4.3.3 Vertebrate Fauna 65
4.4 Human Impact and Exploitation 66
4.5 Management Considerations 68
References 69
5 The Itamarac Estuarine Ecosystem,Brazil 71
C. Medeiros, B. Kjerfve, M. Araujo, and S. Neumann-Leito
5.1 Introduction 71
5.2 Environmental Setting 71
5.3 Hydrodynamics 73
5.4 Hydrology 74
5.5 Biota 76
5.6 Trophic Relations 78
5.7 Environmental Problems 78
References 80
6 The Abrolhos Reefs of Brazil 83
Z.M.A.N. Leo and R.K.P. Kikuchi
6.1 Introduction 83
6.2 Environmental Setting 85
6.3 Reef Organisms 86
6.3.1 Corals 86
6.3.2 Algae 87
6.3.3 Other Biota 88
6.4 Reef Types 90
6.4.1 Coastal Arc 90
6.4.2 Fringing Reefs of the Abrolhos Archipelago 92
6.4.3 Outer Arc 93
6.5 Environmental Impacts and Management 93
References 95
7 The Cabo Frio Upwelling System,Brazil 97
J.L. Valentin
7.1 Introduction 97
7.2 Climate and Hydrology 98
7.3 Biological Community 99
7.3.1 Plankton 99
7.3.2 Benthos 101
7.3.3 Nekton 103
References 104
8 Baa de Guanabara, Rio De Janeiro,Brazil 107
B. Kjerfve, L.D. de Lacerda, and G.T.M. Dias
8.1 Introduction 107
8.2 Geological Setting 108
8.3 Bathymetry and Bottom Sediment 109
8.4 Climate and Weather 110
8.5 Runoff 111
8.6 Tidal Variability 112
8.7 Salinity, Circulation and Flushing 112
8.8 Coastal Ecosystems 113
8.9 Anthropogenic Impacts 114
References 115
9 The Lagoon Region and Estuary Ecosystem of Canania,Brazil 119
J.G. Tundisi and T. Matsumura-Tundisi
9.1 Introduction 119
9.2 Environmental Setting 119
9.3 Biotic Components 123
9.3.1 Mangroves 123
9.3.2 Plankton Community 124
9.3.3 Benthic Community 125
9.3.4 Fish Fauna 126
9.4 Nutrient Cycles, Energy Flow, and Food Chains 126
9.5 Sustainable Development and Management Needs 127
References 127
10 The Subtropical Estuarine Complex of Paranagu Bay,Brazil 131
P. C. Lana, E. Marone, R. M. Lopes, and E. C. Machado
10.1 Introduction 131
10.2 Environmental Settings 131
10.2.1 Geomorphologic Processes 133
10.2.2 Physical Characteristics 133
10.2.3 Chemical Characteristics 135
10.3 Biotic Components 136
10.4 Trophic Structure and Energy Flow 140
10.5 Human Impacts and Management Needs 141
References 143
11 The Convergence Ecosystem in the Southwest Atlantic 147
C. Odebrecht and J. P. Castello
11.1 Introduction 147
11.2 Environmental Setting 148
11.3 Fertilization Processes 149
11.4 The Organisms 152
11.4.1 Plankton 152
11.4.2 Macrobenthic Invertebrates 153
11.4.3 Fishes and Cephalopods 155
11.5 Biological Production and Trophic Structure 157
11.6 Human Impacts 158
11.6.1 Fisheries 158
11.6.2 Pollution and Blooms 160
11.7 Management Considerations 161
References 162
12 The Patos Lagoon Estuary,Brazil 167
U. Seeliger
12.1 Introduction 167
12.2 Environmental Setting 167
12.3 Estuarine Habitats 169
12.3.1 The Water Column 169
12.3.2 Unvegetated Subtidal Soft-Bottoms and Intertidal Flats 170
12.3.3 Sea Grass Beds 171
12.3.4 Marginal Marshes 172
12.3.5 Artificial Hard Substrates 173
12.4 Energy Flow 174
12.4.1 Primary Production Cycles 174
12.4.2 Trophic Relations 176
12.5 Estuary-Coast Interactions 179
12.6 Impact and Management 180
References 182
13 The Ro de la Plata Estuary,Argentina-Uruguay 185
H. Mianzan, C. Lasta, E. Acha, R. Guerrero, G. Macchi, and C. Bremec
13.1 Introduction 185
13.2 Environmental Setting 186
13.2.1 Climate 186
13.2.2 Estuarine Dynamics 187
13.3 Biotic Components 188
13.3.1 Freshwater Environment 188
13.3.2 Mixohaline Environment 190
13.3.2.1 Plankton 190
13.3.2.2 Benthos 191
13.3.2.3 Nekton 192
13.3.2.4 Mammals and Birds 193
13.3.3 Continental Shelf Environment 193
13.3.3.1 Plankton 193
13.3.3.2 Benthos 194
13.3.3.3 Nekton 195
13.3.3.4 Mammals 195
13.4 Biological Significance of the Salt Wedge Regime 196
13.4.1 Head of the Salt Wedge 196
13.4.2 Halocline and Surface Salinity Front 198
13.5 Human Impacts and Management Needs 199
References 200
14 The Bahia Blanca Estuary,Argentina 205
G.M.E. Perillo, M.C. Piccolo, E. Parodi, and R.H. Freije
14.1 Introduction 205
14.2 Geomorphology 205
14.3 Physical Processes 207
14.3.1 Freshwater Input 207
14.3.2 Tides 208
14.3.3 Winds 209
14.3.4 Salinity and Temperature 209
14.4 Biological Communities 211
14.4.1 Benthos 211
14.4.2 Plankton 212
14.4.3 Nekton 213
14.5 Impact and Management 214
References 215
15 The Sand Beach Ecosystem of Chile 219
E. Jaramillo
15.1 Introduction 219
15.2 Environmental Setting 219
15.3 Biological Components 220
15.4 Human Impacts 225
References 226
16 The Peruvian Coastal Upwelling System 229
J. Tarazona and W. Arntz
16.1 Introduction 229
16.2 Environmental Characteristics 229
16.2.1 Currents and Winds 229
16.2.2 Coastal Upwelling 231
16.2.3 Oceanographic Features 232
16.3 Community Structure and Dynamics 233
16.3.1 Phytoplankton 233
16.3.2 Zooplankton 234
16.3.3 Benthic Organisms 235
16.3.4 Fishes and Other Vertebrates 236
16.4 El Nio Impact on the Ecosystem 239
16.5 Need for Cautious Management 242
References 243
17 The Gulf of Guayaquil and the Guayas River Estuary, Ecuador 245
R.R. Twilley, W. Crdenas, V.H. Rivera-Monroy, J. Espinoza, R. Suescum, M. M. Armijos, and L. Solrzano
17.1 Introduction 245
17.2 Environmental Setting 246
17.3 Biogeochemistry 249
17.4 Estuarine Habitats and Communities 251
17.4.1 Mangroves 251
17.4.2 Plankton 253
17.4.3 Benthos 253
17.5 Productivity and Trophic Structure 254
17.6 Coupling of Coastal and Estuarine Ecosystems 257
17.7 Human Impacts 258
17.8 Preliminary Models and Ecosystem Management 259
References 260
18 The Estuary Ecosystem of Buenaventura Bay, Colombia 265
J.R. Cantera and J.F. Blanco
18.1 Introduction 265
18.2 Environmental Settings 265
18.3 Coastal Habitats and Communities 268
18.3.1 Sandy Beaches 268
18.3.2 Cliffs and Rocky Shores 269
18.3.3 Mangrove Swamps 270
18.3.4 Mud Flats 272
18.3.5 Pelagic Estuarine Environment 273
18.4 Trophic Relations 273
18.4.1 Primary Production 273
18.4.2 Food Webs 274
18.5 Human Impact 276
18.5.1 Pollution 277
18.5.2 Exploitation 277
18.6 Management Needs 278
References 279
19 Eastern Pacific Coral Reef Ecosystems 281
P.W. Glynn
19.1 Introduction 281
19.2 Environmental Setting 282
19.3 The Eastern Pacific Coral Reef Region 285
19.4 Ecological Processes 291
19.5 Nutrient Cycling, Carbon Production and Trophic Relationships 295
19.6 Functional Interfaces with Adjacent Biotopes 297
19.7 Natural and Anthropogenic Impacts 297
19.8 Management Needs 299
References 303
20 The Tropical Pacific Coast of Mexico 307
F.J. Flores-Verdugo, G. de la Lanza Espino, F.C. Espinosa, and C.M. Argraz-Hernndez
20.1 Introduction 307
20.2 Climate 307
20.3 Coastal Ecosystems and Biota 308
20.3.1 Lagoons 308
20.3.2 Mangroves and Freshwater Wetlands 309
20.4 Human Impacts and Management Needs 311
20.4.1 Fisheries 311
20.4.2 Environmental Problems 311
References 312
21 Upwelling and Lagoonal Ecosystems of the Dry Pacific Coast of Baja California 315
S.E. Ibarra-Obando, V.F. Camacho-Ibar, J.D. Carriquiry, and S.V. Smith
21.1 Introduction 315
21.2 Oceanography and Climate 316
21.3 The Upwelling Ecosystem of Baja California 317
21.3.1 Biotic Components and Trophic Relations 318
21.3.2 El Nio Effect on the California Current Ecosystem 321
21.4 Lagoonal Ecosystems 322
21.4.1 Baha San Quintn 323
21.4.1.1 Environmental Setting 323
21.4.1.2 Biotic Components 324
21.4.1.3 Ecosystem Metabolism 325
21.5 Natural Resources and Human Impact 327
References 329
22 The Colorado River Estuary and Upper Gulf of California,Baja,Mexico 331
S. Alvarez-Borrego
22.1 Introduction 331
22.2 Meteorology 331
22.3 Environmental Settings 333
22.4 Biological Communities 336
22.5 Human Impacts 338
References 339
A Summary of Natural and Human-Induced Variables in Coastal Marine Ecosystems of Latin America 341
B. Kjerfve, U. Seeliger, and L. Drude De Lacerda
1 Climate and Hydrology 341
2 El NioLa Nia Cycle 344
3 Ocean Currents 345
4 Tides, Waves, and Relative Sea Level 347
5 Human Impacts 349
References 352
Subject Index 355
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