Hugo Enrique Lazcano Hernández, Javier Arellano Verdejo, Hector Hernandez Arana, Maria Susana Alvarado Barrientos,
2018
Publicado con arbitraje
Spatio-Temporal Assessment of “Chlorophyll a” in Banco Chinchorro Using Remote Sensing
147
ISSN 1870-4069
CIENCIAS DE LA TIERRA Y EL COSMOS
OTRAS ESPECIALIDADES EN MATERIA DE CIENCIAS DE LA TIERRA DEL COSMOS Y DEL MEDIO AMBIENTE
. 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.