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An integrated ecosystem trophic model for the North and Central Gulf of California: An alternative view for endemic species conservation

Author

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  • Díaz-Uribe, J. Gabriel
  • Arreguín-Sánchez, Francisco
  • Lercari-Bernier, Diego
  • Cruz-Escalona, Víctor H.
  • Zetina-Rejón, Manuel J.
  • del-Monte-Luna, Pablo
  • Martínez-Aguilar, Susana

Abstract

Understanding of the intricate interactions of endemic species with anthropogenic impacts of diverse economic interests on ecosystems is of paramount importance to the implementation of effective conservation programs. A trophic mass-balance model was used to analyze the structural properties of the North and Central Gulf of California (NC-GulfCal) ecosystem, the most important fishing area in Mexico and where conservation efforts for protecting the endangered endemic porpoise known as vaquita (Phocoena sinus) have been carried out for the last two decades. Results allowed to discuss the role of fisheries in the ecosystem and its implications for conservation of the endangered endemic porpoise. The trophic model was constructed with 166 functional groups and 3 regional fishing fleets. Abundance and catch from the early 1980s were used for balancing the model. Maturity indices of ascendency and production to respiration ratio indicate this ecosystem had a relatively high resilience and a high potential for development; this is in accordance with the highly variable environment found in the NC-GulfCal ecosystem. Mixed trophic impacts analysis confirms that pelagic and plankton groups have the most generalized impacts in this ecosystem. The model also shows that fisheries in the NC-GulfCal ecosystem, by the early 80s, were already operating in multiple habitats and landing a great variety of species. However, the highest exploitation pressure was focused on a few species. Although vaquita, since then, has also been under a high incidental mortality by gillnet fisheries, results suggest that predation should also be considered as a key factor on vaquita population dynamics and regulations focused exclusively on fisheries probably are not enough to achieve a successful vaquita recovery program.

Suggested Citation

  • Díaz-Uribe, J. Gabriel & Arreguín-Sánchez, Francisco & Lercari-Bernier, Diego & Cruz-Escalona, Víctor H. & Zetina-Rejón, Manuel J. & del-Monte-Luna, Pablo & Martínez-Aguilar, Susana, 2012. "An integrated ecosystem trophic model for the North and Central Gulf of California: An alternative view for endemic species conservation," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 230(C), pages 73-91.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecomod:v:230:y:2012:i:c:p:73-91
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2012.01.009
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Díaz-Uribe, J. Gabriel & Arreguín-Sánchez, Francisco & Cisneros-Mata, Miguel A., 2007. "Multispecies perspective for small-scale fisheries management: A trophic analysis of La Paz Bay in the Gulf of California, Mexico," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 201(2), pages 205-222.
    2. Brey, T., 1999. "A collection of empirical relations for use in ecological modelling," Naga, The WorldFish Center, vol. 22(3), pages 24-28.
    3. Cisneros, M.A. & Estrada, J. & Montemayor, G., 1990. "Growth, mortality and recruitment of exploited small pelagic fishes in the Gulf of California, Mexico," Fishbyte, The WorldFish Center, vol. 8(1), pages 15-17.
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    1. Espinoza-Tenorio, Alejandro & Espejel, Ileana & Wolff, Matthias, 2015. "From adoption to implementation? An academic perspective on Sustainable Fisheries Management in a developing country," Marine Policy, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 252-260.
    2. Morzaria-Luna, Hem Nalini & Turk-Boyer, Peggy & Moreno-Baez, Marcia, 2014. "Social indicators of vulnerability for fishing communities in the Northern Gulf of California, Mexico: Implications for climate change," Marine Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 182-193.
    3. Hem Nalini Morzaria-Luna & Cameron H Ainsworth & Isaac C Kaplan & Phillip S Levin & Elizabeth A Fulton, 2012. "Exploring Trade-Offs between Fisheries and Conservation of the Vaquita Porpoise (Phocoena sinus) Using an Atlantis Ecosystem Model," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(8), pages 1-11, August.
    4. Ortiz, Marco & Berrios, Fernando & Campos, Leonardo & Uribe, Roberto & Ramirez, Alejandro & Hermosillo-Núñez, Brenda & González, Jorge & Rodriguez-Zaragoza, Fabián, 2015. "Mass balanced trophic models and short-term dynamical simulations for benthic ecological systems of Mejillones and Antofagasta bays (SE Pacific): Comparative network structure and assessment of human ," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 309, pages 153-162.

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