SPATIAL AND SEASONAL VARIABILITY OF THALASSIA TESTUDINUM IN NUEVITAS BAY, CUBA

Authors

  • Beatriz Martínez-Daranas Centro de Investigaciones Pesqueras (CIP), Cuba
  • Rubén Cabrera Consejo Internacional de Museos, Cuba
  • Fabián Pina-Amargós Centro de Investigaciones de Ecosistemas Costeros Cayo Coco, Cuba

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15359/revmar.1.1

Keywords:

Biomass, shoot density, leaf production, seasol variation, Thalassia testudinum, bottom-trawl fisheries, sewage

Abstract

A study was carried out on biomass, shoot density and leaf production variability in three Thalassia testudinum meadows under different environmental characteristics in Nuevitas Bay, Cuba, in different seasons. The first site has muddy-sandy sediments and it is affected by bottom trawl fishing; the second has sandy sediments and it is affected by waste-water discharges, and the third has sandy-muddy sediments and no human impacts are present. Leaf, rhizome, and root biomass, daily production of leaves, density of short shoots, and length and width of leaves were estimated five times in a year. Seasonal variations were observed, with higher values of leaf and rhizome biomass, short shoot density, and daily production of leaves occurring in spring and summer. Spatial differences seem to be related to the environmental characteristics of each site: Leaf daily production, leaf biomass and leaf length were lower, and root biomass was higher in the site where sediments are impacted by fishing with bottom trawls; short shoot density and rhizome biomass were higher in the nonaffected site. Lower values of root biomass appeared where waste-water discharges occurred.

Author Biographies

Beatriz Martínez-Daranas, Centro de Investigaciones Pesqueras (CIP)

Ave. 1ra., y 286, Santa Fe, Playa, Ciudad Habana 19100, Cuba.

Rubén Cabrera, Consejo Internacional de Museos

Gabinete de Arqueología

Tacón No. 12, Habana Vieja, Cuba.

 

Fabián Pina-Amargós, Centro de Investigaciones de Ecosistemas Costeros Cayo Coco

Cayo Coco, Ciego de Ávila 69400, Cuba.

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Published

2009-12-11

How to Cite

Martínez-Daranas, B., Cabrera, R., & Pina-Amargós, F. (2009). SPATIAL AND SEASONAL VARIABILITY OF THALASSIA TESTUDINUM IN NUEVITAS BAY, CUBA. Journal of Marine and Coastal Sciences, 1, 9-27. https://doi.org/10.15359/revmar.1.1

Issue

Section

Scientific articles

How to Cite

Martínez-Daranas, B., Cabrera, R., & Pina-Amargós, F. (2009). SPATIAL AND SEASONAL VARIABILITY OF THALASSIA TESTUDINUM IN NUEVITAS BAY, CUBA. Journal of Marine and Coastal Sciences, 1, 9-27. https://doi.org/10.15359/revmar.1.1

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