Spatio-Temporal Assessment of "Chlorophyll a" in Banco Chinchorro using Remote Sensing

Abstract

Quantitative assessments of the temporal variances of physical and biological phenomena are very useful for the understanding of ecosystem functioning. Marine ecosystems are very complex, and regarding biodiversity and fishing resources, Banco Chinchorro (BCh) is one of the most important in the south of the Yucatan Peninsula. Additionally, BCh is an important hotspot of assimilation and release of carbon, for which hurricanes play a supporting role by mixing deep and superficial water masses affecting nutrient mixing and distribution. Here, the concentration of chlorophyll a (Chl a) was quantitatively linked to the occurrence of the four most recent hurricanes that affected BCh utilizing time-series analysis of satellite-derived (AQUA-MODIS) datasets. Interestingly, different Chl a concentrations between the south and north of BCh were confirmed quantitatively, which points to differential conservation efforts. The aim of this study was also to provide a proof-ofconcept for the development of long-term monitoring methodology using remotely sensed data so that it may be replicated in other regions and with other satellite databases.

Tropical Cyclone Landfall Frequency and Large-Scale Environmental Impacts along Karstic Coastal Regions (Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico)

“…Another link between TC physical attributes (e.g., strength, trajectory) and ecosystem function is the spatiotemporal variation of Chl-a along the YP coastal zone. Our comparative analysis shows a significant increase in Chl-a after TC passage along with localized impacts depending on the storm exit point along the coast; this increase has been observed in other regions of the CS, west of the YP (e.g., Banco Chinchorro, Figure 1B; [117]). By considering a concentration of 0.5 mg/m 3 as an average baseline, we identified enhanced areas (>15,000 km 2 , Figure 10B) with concentrations >0.5 mg/m 3 after the passage of Stan and Emily.…”