Publicaciones

@article{Hernández-Delgado2024c,

title = {Bringing Back Reef Fish: Sustainable Impacts of Community-Based Restoration of Elkhorn Coral (\textit{Acropora palmata}) in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico (2008–2023)},

author = {Edwin A. Hernández-Delgado and Ricardo Laureano},

url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/14/5985

https://sampr.org/sustainability-16-05985-v2/},

doi = { https://doi.org/10.3390/su16145985},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-07-12},

urldate = {2024-07-12},

journal = {Sustainability},

volume = {16},

number = {5985},

issue = {14},

pages = {1-80},

abstract = {In response to the severe fragmentation of Elkhorn coral, Acropora palmata (Lamarck, 1816), stands caused by a major winter swell (“Holy Swell”) in March 2008, an emergency community-based low-tech restoration was initiated in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. Over a 15-year period, coral demographic performance and fish assemblages were monitored across four restored and four control (non-restored) 100 m² plots. The restoration effort proved to be highly successful, leading to successful coral survival and growth, and to sustained recovery of fish assemblages, particularly herbivore guilds. Significantly increased abundance, biomass, and diversity were observed across all trophic functional groups, fishery target species, and geo-ecological functional groups in both restored and control plots. These positive outcomes were attributed to enhanced spatial complexity by long-term coral growth, “nutrient hotspots” within restored plots, the refugia effect from enhanced benthic spatial complexity, and the recovery of fish dispersal paths promoting spillover effects from restored to adjacent non-restored areas. Restoring herbivore guilds and geo-ecological functional groups played a crucial role in restoring vital ecological processes promoting reef ecosystem resilience. Recommendations include integrating fish assemblage recovery into coral restoration strategies, establishing natural coral nursery plots for future coral sourcing, and incorporating the concept of nursery seascapes for a holistic and ecosystem-based approach to restoration.},

keywords = {Acropora palmata, Caribbean Coral Reefs, coral restoration, Fish Assemblages, fishery target species, geo-ecological functional group, taxonomic distinctness, trophic functional groups},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Hernández-Delgado2023,

title = {Long-Term Persistence of Propeller and Anchor Damage to Seagrass Canopy and Demersal Biodiversity in Puerto Rico},

author = {Edwin A. Hernández-Delgado},

url = {https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=128458

https://sampr.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Long-Term-Persistence-of-Propeller-and-Anchor-Damage-to-Seagrass-Canopy-and-Demersal-Biodiversity-in-Puerto-Rico.pdf},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.4236/oje.2023.1310042},

issn = {2162-1993},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-10-24},

urldate = {2023-10-24},

journal = {Open Journal of Ecology},

volume = {13},

number = {10},

pages = {671-710},

abstract = {Seagrass ecosystems support high biodiversity and productivity and constitute critical links to adjacent ecosystems. However, there is a growing concern that increasing recreational navigation may affect its ecological processes and functions, which may affect its recreational and tourism values, compromising local economies and livelihoods. The long-term impacts (1996-2011) of recreational navigation on seagrass benthic community structure were assessed by addressing the question of whether long-term effects of recreational navigation had a significant impact on seagrass community structure and on its benthic faunal assemblages. Findings evidenced: 1) a consistent spatio-temporal gradient in the ecological conditions of seagrasses across the scoured areas, with increased percent seagrass cover, density and canopy height, and seagrass benthic biodiversity with increasing distance from disturbed areas; 2) a decline in percent seagrass cover, and an increased macroalgal and cyanobacterial percent cover through time around the disturbed areas; 3) a significant shift in seagrass assemblage biodiversity as a response to boating that followed the intermediate disturbance hypothesis; 4) an adverse effect on the spatial distribution and survival of multiple benthic invertebrate taxa; and 5) a significant decline in cnidarians, echinoids, ophiuroids, holothurians, and gastro-pods, and an increase in polychaetes, platyhelminths, and hermit crabs, particularly in areas exposed to boating. Spatio-temporal variation in seagrass community structure explained the observed variation in benthic faunal assemblages. The long-term consequences on ecosystem functions and management needs are discussed to foster the conservation of seagrasses.},

keywords = {Benthic Faunal Communities, community trajectory, Ecological Disturbance, Fish Assemblages, Recreational Navigation, Seagrass Ecosystems},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}