[OANNES Foro] Oceanic primary production trend patterns along coast of Ecuador

[Mario Cabrejos]

NEOTROPICAL BIODIVERSITY 2021, VOL. 7, NO. 1, 379–391

Published online 18 Aug 2021

https://doi.org/10.1080/23766808.2021.1964915





*Oceanic primary production trend patterns along coast of Ecuador *



Nicole Chinacalle-Martínez a , Elka García-Rada a , Jean López-Macías a ,
Silvia Pinoargote a , Gema Loora , Javier Zevallos-Rosadoa , Pedro Cruza ,
David Pabloa , Belén Andrade a , Carlos Robalino-Mejía a , Stephanie
Añazcoa , Jéssica Guerrero a , Andrea Intriagoa , Callie Veelenturf b and
César PeñaherreraPalma c a Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador –
Sede Manabí, Carrera de Biología Marina, Bahía de Caráquez, Manabí,
Ecuador; b The Leatherback Project, Norfolk, Massachusetts, USA; c
MigraMar, Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Olema, California, USA



*ABSTRACT *



Primary productivity (PP) is a vital oceanographic process generated by
photoautotrophic organisms that transform inorganic carbon into organic
macronutrients and micronutrients via photosynthesis. While in situ studies
have shed light onto the spatial and seasonal variations of chlorophyll a
(Chl a) concentration, and thus PP, in speci!c study sites, there are no
comprehensive monitoring programs to assess its long-term variation nor its
seasonal patterns in broader areas of coastal Ecuador. The main objective
of the present study is to evaluate changes in Chl a concentration along
the coast of Ecuador and examine how these changes correspond to changes in
Sea Surface Temperature (SST). Eighteen o"shore and nearshore sampling
sites along the Ecuadorian coast were studied over 15 years, using
satellite measurements of MODIS-Aqua and MUR. Results show mean Chl a
concentration in coastal Ecuador is rather low (1.5 mg m−3 ) in comparison
with other oceanic regions. Puerto Bolivar, Gulf of Guayaquil and
Esmeraldas were characterized by the highest mean Chl a concentration;
while Galera San Francisco Marine Reserve, Cojimies and Cabuyal were
characterized by the lowest. A positive trend in Chl a concentration was
detected at the southernmost (Puerto Bolivar and Gulf of Guayaquil) and
northernmost (Esmeraldas) study sites, with a seasonal trend following the
observed seasonal SST trend. Chl a is high in areas under the in$uence of
both the Humboldt upwelling system and river discharge. The positive
correlation between Chl a and SST is likely a response to increased
precipitation during warmer months. These results highlight the importance
of improving our understanding of the e"ects of climate change on coastal
PP, and the potential for these e"ects to in$uence the health of commercial
and threatened marine species. Further research should assess the
implications of changes in PP and SST for species of commercial and
conservation importance along the coast of Ecuador

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