Problemática socioeconómica- ambiental y servicios ecosistémicos: área protegida Refugio de fauna Laguna de Maya, Cuba

The article addressed the socioeconomic-environmental problems and ecosystem services in the Laguna de Maya Fauna Refuge protected area, in Matanzas, Cuba. Based on the problems raised in the management plan for the area, the relationship between these and their impact on the ecosystem services offered by the area was analyzed. To analyze the socioeconomic-environmental problem, questionnaires, statistical tests and software were applied; the relationship between the problems was carried out using a network analysis program. The classification of services is assumed to be that of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. Through the tables linking socioeconomic-environmental problems and ecosystem services, the importance of the regulation service offered by the coral reef in the protected area was evidenced. The objective of analyzing the socioeconomic-environmental problems of a protected area and its relationship with ecosystem services was achieved, in an innovative way in the methodological context approved for management plans in Cuba. The research is contextualized in the National Plan for economic and social development until 2030, which includes among its specific objectives the sustainable use of ecosystem goods and services.El artículo abordó la problemática socioeconómica- ambiental y los servicios ecosistémicos en el área protegida Refugio de fauna Laguna de Maya, en Matanzas, Cuba. A partir de los problemas planteados en el plan de manejo del área, se analizó la relación entre estos y su incidencia en los servicios ecosistémicos que ofrece la zona. Para analizar la problemática socioeconómica- ambiental se aplicaron cuestionarios, test estadísticos y software; la relación entre los problemas, se realizó mediante programa de análisis de redes. La clasificación de los servicios, se asume la de Evaluación de los Ecosistemas del Milenio. Mediante las tablas de vínculo problemas socioeconómicos- ambientales y servicios ecosistémicos, se evidenció la importancia del servicio de regulación ofrecido por el arrecife de coral, en el área protegida. Se logró cumplir el objetivo de análisis de los problemas socioeconómicos -ambientales de un área protegida y su relación con los servicios ecosistémicos, de una manera innovadora en el contexto metodológico aprobado para planes de manejo en Cuba. La investigación se contextualiza en el Plan Nacional de desarrollo económico y social hasta el 2030, que prevé entre sus objetivos específicos utilizar de forma sostenible los bienes y servicios de los ecosistemas

Coral communities condition in varying wave exposure: the gulf of Cazones, Cuba

Wave exposure can influence community structure and distribution of shallow coral reefs, by affecting organisms both directly and indirectly. To assess the current stony coral community condition under different degrees of wave exposure at a marine protected area of the Gulf of Cazones (SW Cuba), two expeditions were carried out in May 2010 and June 2012. Four sampling sites were sampled at reef crests (1.5 m deep), and twelve at fore-reefs, at 10, 15 and 20 m deep in four geographic locations. Live coral cover, species richness and composition, colony density, and maximum diameter were assessed using the AGRRA 2001 methodology. Multivariate and non-parametric statistics were applied to compare sites. The coral community structure within reef crests was not homogenous. The observed variability of indicators apparently was determined by great coral mortality events resulting from natural disturbances that occurred in the past (hurricanes, bleaching and diseases). Fore-reef coral communities displayed better condition and lower coral mortality than reef crests. Species richness and coral composition varied, while multivariate and statistical methods did not reveal site grouping with regard to wave exposure. The remaining biological condition indicators were similar among sites, except in the most exposed one, where coral cover and coral size were slightly lower. Wave exposure in the gulf of Cazones seemed not to have a significant influence on differences in condition and structure of the assessed coral communities

Does depth divide? Variable genetic connectivity patterns among shallow and mesophotic Montastraea cavernosa coral populations across the Gulf of Mexico and western Caribbean

Abstract Despite general declines in coral reef ecosystems in the tropical western Atlantic, some reefs, including mesophotic reefs (30–150 m), are hypothesized to function as coral refugia due to their relative isolation from anthropogenic stressors. Understanding the connectivity dynamics among these putative refugia and more degraded reefs is critical to develop effective management strategies that promote coral metapopulation persistence and recovery. This study presents a geographically broad assessment of shallow (30 m) connectivity dynamics of the depth‐generalist coral species Montastraea cavernosa. Over 750 coral genets were collected across the Northwest and Southern Gulf of Mexico, Florida, Cuba, and Belize, and ~5000 SNP loci were generated to quantify high‐resolution genetic structure and connectivity among these populations. Generally, shallow and mesophotic populations demonstrated higher connectivity to distant populations within the same depth zone than to adjacent populations across depth zones. However, exceptions to this pattern include the Northwest Gulf of Mexico and the Florida Keys which exhibited relatively high vertical genetic connectivity. Furthermore, estimates of recent gene flow emphasize that mesophotic M. cavernosa populations are not significant sources for their local shallow counterparts, except for the Northwest Gulf of Mexico populations. Location‐based differences in vertical connectivity are likely a result of diverse oceanographic and environmental conditions that may drive variation in gene flow and depth‐dependent selection. These results highlight the need to evaluate connectivity dynamics and refugia potential of mesophotic coral species on a population‐by‐population basis and to identify stepping‐stone populations that warrant incorporation in future international management approaches