Lagoons Reefs of Alacranes Reef and Chinchorro Bank: Ocean Reef of Mexican Atlantic

Abstract

Coral reef lagoons are one of the parts of the reef with the largest biotopes, making it an area with great inequalities. Under this perspective we try to compare the lagoons of the biggest ocean reefs in Mexico, which despite belonging to the Mexican Atlantic depend on two different systems: Alacranes Reef of the Gulf of Mexico and Banco Chinchorro of the Mexican Caribbean. From the results the proportion of living substrate is higher were obtained in Banco Chinchorro; however, the richness of species and diversity is greater in Alacranes (58 versus 39 species and 4.44 versus 4.38 bits/ind., respectively). Lobophora variegata (algae) is the only species whose dominance was proportionately consistent in both reefs; the similarity of sites identifies specific zones of the lagoons in both reefs, in the space the species are distributed close to the center of the axes, but many remain solitary or assembled in pairs. Despite the differences between the reefs according to the community descriptors, the location of the sites and their position in relation to the wind are relevant to the understanding of the dynamics of the lagoons.

Macroalgae of the sandy cays of Alacranes Reef: Gulf of Mexico

“…It is a protected area as a marine park. Alacranes have an area of approximately 300 km 2 and constitute a shelf reef that rises 50 m from the seabed (Torruco et al, 2019). The reef is shaped like an atoll with a north-westerly trend, due in part to winds from the east and northeast and strong currents from the east.…”

“…The tide is 1.5 m (Torruco et al, 2019). The cays are important nesting sites for white turtles Chelonia mydas (Linnaeus, 1758), as well as seabirds, so the Alacranes Reef is considered one of the most important breeding areas in the world for Sula dactylatra Lesson, 1831 bird, hence it is considered an important area for the conservation of birds in the country (AIDA, 2015).…”

“…In addition, the reef is a refuge for fishermen during hurricanes, tropical storms, and norths. The problems presented by the reef are mainly caused by the overexploitation of fishery resources, the plundering of species under some form of protection, illegal fishing practices, fishing of closed resources, and lack of permits and authorizations for the exploitation of any resource (Liceaga-Correa et al, 1999;Torruco et al, 2019).…”

“…Alacranes is one of the largest oceanic coral reefs in Mexico, its remoteness from the coast makes it less susceptible to impacts from coastal development; however, it is not exempt from the fishing pressure in its surroundings and an incipient tourism that is increasing (CONANP, 2006;Torruco et al, 2019). Despite some important contributions to the knowledge of benthic algae of Alacranes (Huerta-Múzquiz, 1960;Kim, 1964;Torruco et al, 1993;Ortegón-Aznar et al, 2013) that report different aspects, the scarce floristic knowledge makes it essential to update them to enhance actions that are the responsibility of the administration and conservation of this system.…”

Negativa a la vacuna contra el covid-19: implicaciones en el turismo

“…Es importante señalar que, a más de dos años de haber iniciado la pandemia, el comportamiento de los turistas presentó cambios, tales como estar interesados en realizar viajes cortos a destinos cercanos a su lugar de residencia, donde se sintiesen seguros y que fueran accesibles a su bolsillo. En muchos casos, los turistas optaron por destinos de naturaleza o de cultura que fomentasen su tranquilidad, así evitaron destinos masivos (Gössling et al, 2021;Kantar, 2021;Soares et al, 2020;Torruco, 2020;World Tourism Organization [unWto], 2020;World Travel & Tourism Council [Wttc] & Oliver Wyman, 2020).…”