Spatial-temporal behavior of benthic communities in the Terminos Lagoon, Mexico: Possible areas of protection and conservation

Abstract

Terminos Lagoon is classified as a Flora and Fauna Protection Area due to the high biodiversity it registers, however, given its size, it makes total protection difficult. The objective of this study was to detect possible specific areas of conservation within the lagoon, for which an analysis of the spatiotemporal behavior of biodiversity was carried out (based on geostatistics) and thereby establish key regions of laguna de Terminos for their protection and recovery. Monthly samplings (2016-2017) were carried out by trawling with a shrimp net in 17 stations classified in 4 regions during dry (February-May), rain (June-September) and wind/winter (October-January). The organisms were identified up to the species level and the indices of abundance, richness and diversity were applied to carry out the interpolation and generation of maps. 17,950 organisms (382.9 kg) were collected and 103 species were identified. According to the interpolation of minimum curvature, at the temporal level, the rainy season was the one that presented the highest values in terms of diversity and richness, while at the spatial level, region 1 (adjacent area of Boca Atasta and Palizada river) it was the most representative during the three climatic seasons for both indices. In terms of abundance, region 2 was the one characterized by presenting the highest values. In conclusion, regions 1 and 2 represent areas of great ecological importance for the balance of biodiversity, which is why they are key areas that should be protected in Terminos Lagoon. This information would contribute significantly to knowing the state of the habitat, since it provides us with knowledge of the biological conditions of the ecosystem. Keywords: Coastal lagoons, onterpolation, Protected Natural Area, Gulf of Mexico, diversity, richness.