Environmental characterization of a fluvian lagoon ecosystem (Pom-Atasta, Campeche, Mexico) as a critical manatee habitat

Abstract

Mexico has a great diversity of aquatic ecosystems. The Pom-Atasta fluvial system lagoon is part of the Flora and Fauna Natural Protected Area: Laguna de Terminos. It is a region with large areas for manatee (Trichechus mananatus manatus) distribution. This species was included in the list of Mexican species at risk, (NOM-059-and IUCN). In 2013, monitoring was conducted during three seasons; rainy, dry, and north wind. The visual recording of merely 3 animals was blamed on the increasing use of the coastal shore by human activity; usage that has fragmented many areas that were formerly occupied by manatees. Their habitat is now shared with development areas and anthropogenic activity.There are large amounts of organic matter found in this lagoon system; a result of the numerous tributaries of the rivers. The minimum salinity (0.32‰), indicates that lagoons have a strong freshwater influence. Some sites are observed with salinity of not more than 12‰. Oxygen concentrations ranging from 4.2 to 11.3 ± 1 mg/l. The average turbidity was 60 ± 10 cm; pH 8.5 ± 0.5-9.76 ± 1; the average temperature was 28 to 30 ± 3°C; the average depth was 2.5 ± 3 m. The vegetation condition plant species such as Pontederia cordata, Pontederia rotundifolia, and Eichhornia crassipes were found with traces of manatee browsing. Many studies have recorded those plant species as manatee food. They can also be seen as an indicator of water quality. There has been an adverse change in the available habitat caused by the influence of human communities. This influence is expected to negatively affect the habitat and the many species that occupy it, especially the manatees. They are in great danger of disappearing in this area.

Seeing in the dark: A review of the use of side-scan sonar to detect and study manatees, with an emphasis on Latin America

“…Not surprisingly, the majority of the work has occurred in Mexico, because that is where the technique was first described and had the best results in the initial study (Gonzalez-Socoloske et al, 2009). However, it was surprising to see the number of unique locations (at least seven, including Catazajá wetlands in Chiapas, Alvarado Lagoon System in Veracruz, Laguna de las llusiones, Pantanos de Centla, and San Pedro River in Tabasco, Laguna de Terminos in Campeche, and Rio Hondo in Quintana Roo) and independent research groups (at least seven) within Mexico that are using the methodology (Rodas-Trejo et al, 2008;Gonzalez-Socoloske et al, 2009;Daniel-Rentería et al, 2012;Gonzalez-Socoloske & Olivera-Gomez, 2012;Acevedo-Olvera et al, 2015;Puc-Carrasco et al, 2016;Puc-Carrasco et al, 2017;Ramírez-Jiménez et al, 2017;Serrano et al, 2017;Ladrón de Guevara-Porras et al, 2019;Corona-Figueroa et al, 2021, 2022. The 15 countries with confirmed use of side-scan sonar are likely an underrepresentation of the overall number because there are some localities where it has been used, but they are yet to publish their results in any format that we were able to assess.…”