Influence of tourist activity on the diversity of seaweed from reefs in Maracajaú, Atlantic Ocean, Northeast Brazil
AUTOR(ES)
Silva, Ingrid B., Fujii, Mutue T., Marinho-Soriano, Eliane
FONTE
Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO
05/06/2012
RESUMO
The worldwide increase in recreational activities and marine tourism is reason for concern due to its impact on reef environments. In order to assess the effect of tourism on the reef area in Maracajaú (Northeast Brazil), a study was conducted based on the presence of different seaweed species. A region of intense tourist activity was chosen, and another where tourism is prohibited. Result comparison used richness (S), biomass, diversity (H), and dominance (D), as well as an analysis of similarity between samples. Both areas exhibited differences in specific composition, biomass, diversity, richness and seaweed dominance. The highest values for biomass, richness and diversity were recorded in the tourism-free region, while the greatest dominance rates were found in the area of intense tourist activity. The latter was characterized by the dominant presence of Caulerpa racemosa (Forsskål) J. Agardh (Chlorophyta) and turf algae. These characteristics are a clear indication that the reef area subject to heavy tourist activity is undergoing degradation.
Documentos Relacionados
- First record of Thylaeodus (Gastropoda: Vermetidae) from the Equatorial Atlantic Ocean, with the description of a new species
- The Genus Herposiphonia (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta) in the Coral Reefs Environmental Protection Area, Northeastern Brazil, with new records for Brazil and the Atlantic Ocean
- Diversity of bryophytes in priority areas for conservation in the Atlantic forest of northeast Brazil
- Diversity of Diazotrophic Unicellular Cyanobacteria in the Tropical North Atlantic Ocean
- Hydrology, plankton, and corals of the Maracajaú reefs (Northeastern Brazil): an ecosystem under severe thermal stress