Long term variability in the structure of kelp communities in northern Chile and the 1997–98 ENSO

Vásquez, Julio A.; Vega, Javier Martínez

doi:10.1007/978-1-4020-5670-3_35

Cited by 27 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…For example, the California sheephead, Semicossyphus pulcher, is considered an essential predator regulating sea urchin populations, with indirect ecological effects on kelp density (Tegner and Dayton 1981, Cowen 1983, Dayton et al 1998). In Chile, trophic studies on the sheephead, S. darwini, suggest a similar ecological role, as the species feeds on the black sea urchin, Tetrapygus niger, which has been reported as having an important role in structuring subtidal kelp communities (Va´squez et al 2006). G. nigra shares several feeding characteristics with the sheephead (Moreno 1972, Fuentes 1982 and also plays an important role in structuring kelp forest communities (Va´squez et al 2006).…”

Section: Fig 3 (A-c)mentioning

confidence: 98%

Spearfishing to depletion: evidence from temperate reef fishes in Chile

Godoy

Gelcich

Vásquez

et al. 2010

Ecological Applications

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Abstract. Unreliable and data-poor marine fishery landings can lead to a lack of regulatory action in fisheries management. Here we use official Chilean landing reports and non-conventional indicators, such as fishers' perceptions and spearfishing competition results, to provide evidence of reef fishes depletions caused by unregulated spearfishing. Results show that the three largest and most emblematic reef fishes targeted mainly by spearfishers (.98% of landings) [Graus nigra (vieja negra), Semicossyphus darwini (sheephead or pejeperro), and Medialuna ancietae (acha)] show signs of depletion in terms of abundance and size and that overall the catches of reef fishes have shifted from large carnivore species toward smallersized omnivore and herbivore species. Information from two snorkeling speargun world championships (1971 and 2004, Iquique, Chile) and from fishers' perceptions shows the mean size of reef fish to be declining. Although the ecological consequences of reef fish depletion are not fully understood in Chile, evidence of spearfishing depleting temperate reef fishes must be explicitly included in policy debates. This would involve bans or strong restrictions on the use of SCUBA and hookah diving gear for spearfishing, and minimum size limits. It may also involve academic and policy discussions regarding conservation and fisheries management synergies within networks of no-take and territorial user-rights fisheries areas, as a strategy for the sustainable management of temperate and tropical reef fisheries.

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Section: Fig 3 (A-c)mentioning

confidence: 98%

Spearfishing to depletion: evidence from temperate reef fishes in Chile

Godoy

Gelcich

Vásquez

et al. 2010

Ecological Applications

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“…This reduced kelp biomass, and in some regions created temporary barrens that were recolonized by kelps during La Niña conditions (Tegner & Dayton 1987, Tegner et al 1997. Conversely, in an 8 yr study of a kelp forest (Macrocystis integrifolia and Lessonia trabeculata) in northern Chile, Vásquez et al (2006) documented a 3-fold increase in recruitment of sea urchins Tetrapygus niger and a sharp decline of kelp cover during a La Niña event in 1999. This created a barrens state that was stable for 4 yr until the kelp forest re-established in 2003.…”

Section: Barrens In Regions With Documented Multiple Phase Shiftsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sea urchin barrens as alternative stable states of collapsed kelp ecosystems

Filbee‐Dexter¹,

Scheibling²

2014

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

455

379

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“…Local extinction of kelp populations during ENSO events is common in the area between 10 and 23°S (Camus 1990, Vasquez et al 2006, Thiel et al 2007). Reduced genetic variation in the kelp Lessonia nigrescens in 2 sites in northern Chile, Iquique (20°S) and Antofagasta (23°S), together with slow recolonization (< 60 km in 20 yr) has been reported by Martínez et al (2003).…”

Section: Contemporary and Historical Eventsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Events such as the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) produce massive mortality of kelp in the Peruvian province and the northern part of the Intermediate area (Vega et al 2005, Vasquez et al 2006, Thiel et al 2007. Such sharp population declines, or bottlenecks, such as those seen during recent ENSO events, may translate into losses of genetic variation of marine organisms (Steinfartz et al 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%