PRESENTS
LONG TERM
ECOLOGICAL
MONITORING PROGRAM INSTRUCTIONS:
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20 years producing data for the conservation of the Gulf of California
LONG TERM ECOLOCIAL MONITORING PROGRAM Since 1998, different reefs in the Gulf of California (GC) have been explored as part of the Long Term Ecological Monitoring Program (LTEMP). Data has been collected on the fish and invertebrate communities in these habitats. With this information a baseline for the ecological status of the reefs in the GC has been established, which can enrich future research efforts as well as contribute to biodiversity assessments and conservation measures.
13 REGIONS
380 REEFS MONITORED
+3 MILLION RECORDS
39
471 SPECIES
RESEARCHERS
7
TRAINING WORKSHOPS
REGISTERED
(FISH & INVERTEBRATES)
120
27
STUDENTS TRAINED
PREPARATION AND TRAINING
PARTICIPATING INSTITUTIONS
REGIONS
LOCATION AND YEARS MONITORED
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SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS
The LTEMP focuses mainly in four aspects of fish and invertebrate populations: diversity, density, biomass, and size.
This program is part of the Gulf of California Marine Program and carried out in collaboration with UABCS, the Centro para la Biodiversidad Marina y la Conservacion, and Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
MONITORS
29
THESIS WORKS
DATAMARES
TIMELINE
TOP 5
DOMINANT SPECIES
MONITORED REGIONS
Number of species registered and years monitored. UPPER GULF
Species registered: 237 Years monitored: 8
SANTA ROSALÍA Species registered: 190 Years monitored: 4
LORETO
Species registered: 270 Years monitored: 18
UNITED STATES
LA PAZ
Species registered: 235 Years monitored: 19
CORREDOR
Species registered: 245 Years monitored: 17
LA VENTANA
Species registered: 180 Years monitored: 5
LOS CABOS
CABO PULMO
Species registered: 183 Years monitored: 9
Species registered: 210 Years monitored: 10
REVILLAGIGEDO
GULF OF MEXICO
Species registered: 138 Years monitored: 1
ISLAS MARÍAS Species registered: 170 Years monitored: 1
BAHÍA DE BANDERAS
Species registered: 116 Years monitored: 1
PACIFIC OCEAN
IXTAPA-ZIHUATANEJO
Species registered: 150 Years monitored: 1
HUATULCO
Species registered: 121 Years monitored: 1
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TIMELINE
2002:
REGIONS AND SPECIES PER YEAR
1998:
The LTEMP begins with only 4 members.
The data collected is used in the 1st environmental assessment in the GC to design a network of marine reserves.
128 40 88 23
111 34 77 20
Species registered Invertebrates Fish Reefs monitored
Species registered Invertebrates Fish Reefs monitored
2004:
LTEMP data shows the average length of fish in GC fisheries has declined 45cm in 20 years.
1999 Species registered Invertebrates Fish Reefs monitored
154 35 119 50
130 51 79 22
2006
2000 Species registered Invertebrates Fish Reefs monitored
Species registered Invertebrates Fish Reefs monitored
238 106 132 43
118 35 83 24
Species registered Invertebrates Fish Reefs monitored
2001
Species registered Invertebrates Fish Reefs monitored
141 40 101 27
2003 Species registered Invertebrates Fish Reefs monitored
133 51 82 20
2007 2005
Species registered Invertebrates Fish Reefs monitored
151 64 87 29
Species registered Invertebrates Fish Reefs monitored
152 66 86 30
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TIMELINE
2016
REGIONS AND SPECIES PER YEAR
Especies registradas Invertebrados Peces Arrecifes monitoreados
2013
2011:
1st training workshop in LTEMP methodology.
260 134 126 121
196 108 88 74
Especies registradas Invertebrados Peces Arrecifes monitoreados
262 141 121 91
Especies registradas Invertebrados Peces Arrecifes monitoreados
2010 Especies registradas Invertebrados Peces Arrecifes monitoreados
2017
294 155 139 90
Especies registradas Invertebrados Peces Arrecifes monitoreados
226 142 84 96
2015:
The Reef Health Index is creates using 15 years of LTEMP data. 209 99 110 71
2012
198 94 104 47
Especies registradas Invertebrados Peces Arrecifes monitoreados
2009:
2014:
268 137 131 84
206 105 101 68
A recovery of 400% in biomass is estimated for Cabo Pulmo National Park.
2008
171 72 99 40
Especies registradas Invertebrados Peces Arrecifes monitoreados
Especies registradas Invertebrados Peces Arrecifes monitoreados
The LTEMP Monitoring Protocol for Coastal Marine Ecosystems is published.
Especies registradas Invertebrados Peces Arrecifes monitoreados
Especies registradas Invertebrados Peces Arrecifes monitoreados
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HOW ARE MONITORING CAMPAIGNS FISH INVERTEBRATES CARRIED OUT? In the case of fish, a monitor works in an area of 5 x 50 m, estimated by a PVC tube 1m in length as a reference, along a 50 m stretch. The transect is placed in the first run.
Route 1 (50 meters) In the first 50 m run, all the fish found in the water column are identified and registered.
50 meters
The invertebrate monitor works along 30 m line by 1m in width on the same transect that the fish partner has left; this requires more time given the complexity of the work. He or she only counts the macro-invertebrate species that are in plain sight, without moving or lifting rocks, corals, etc., so as to not alter the ecosystem.
Cryptic fishes: Also called cryptobenthic, they are very abundant in the seabed of rocky and coral reefs. They are species of small sizes that adopt forms or patterns of coloration to hide on the seabed and evade their predators.
5 meters Recorrido total: 100 metros
Route 2 (50 metros) When returning to the starting point, the monitor counts the cryptic fish.
Structure of the order in which the transects are made during monitoring.
Recorridototal: 30 metros
1 meter
2 teams 8 transects per site
Shallow water 5m - 10m
Macroinvertebrates: Organisms that can be seen at a glance; sizes greater than 0.5 mm. The prefix "macro" indicates that these organisms are between 200-500 mm in size. Deep water 15m - 20m
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TOP 5 DOMINANT SPECIES BY REGION 1-4
REGIONS
5-8
INVERTEBRATES
9-12 1
1 2
3
4
PACIFIC OCEAN
3
UPPER GULF
SANTA ROSALÍA
Muricea sp4 Abanico de mar Cnidaria
Arbacia stellata Erizo de mar Echinodermata
Arbacia stellata Erizo de mar Echinodermata
Rhopalaea birkelandi Ascidias Chordata
Diadema mexicanum Erizo de mar Echinodermata
Muricea sp4 Abanico de mar Cnidaria
Rhopalaea birkelandi Ascidias Chordata
Phataria unifascialis Estrella de mar Echinodermata
Muricea austera Abanico de mar Cnidaria
Muricea plantaginea Abanico de mar Cnidaria
LORETO Porites panamensis Corales pétreos Cnidaria Plumularia spp Hidrozoarios Cnidaria Macrorhynchia nuttingi Hidrozoarios Cnidaria
Dominant: A species is dominant when it has a great influence over the composition of the community. These are ecologically successful and abundant species within a community group.
2
4
CORREDOR Porites panamensis Corales pétreos nidaria Tubastraea coccinea Corales pétreos Cnidaria Rhopalaea birkelandi Ascidias Chordata
Aglaophenia spp Hidrozoarios Cnidaria
Pacifigorgia sp1 Abanicos de mar Gusanos de mar Cnidaria
Spirobranchus spp Gusanos de mar Annelida
Spirobranchus spp Gusanos de mar Annelida
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TOP 5 DOMINANT SPECIES BY REGION 1-4
REGIONS
5-8
INVERTEBRATES
9-12 5
5
6 8 7 PACIFIC OCEAN
7
Dominant: A species is dominant when it has a great influence over the composition of the community. These are ecologically successful and abundant species within a community group.
LA PAZ
6
LA VENTANA
Porites panamensis Corales pétreos Cnidaria
Porites panamensis Corales pétreos Cnidaria
Exaiptasia pallida Corales pétreos Cnidaria
Leptogorgia rigida Abanicos de mar Cnidaria
Tubastraea coccinea Corales pétreos Cnidaria
Aplysina sp2 Esponjas Porifera
Leptogorgia rigida Abanicos de mar Cnidaria
Spirobranchus spp Gusanos de mar Annelida
Rhopalaea birkelandi Ascidias Chordata
Myxilla incrustans Esponjas Porifera
CABO PULMO
8
LOS CABOS
Porites panamensis Corales pétreos Cnidaria
Leptogorgia rigida Abanicos de mar Cnidaria
Myxilla incrustans Esponjas Porifera
Pacifigorgia agassizii Abanicos de mar Cnidaria
Leptogorgia rigida Abanicos de mar Cnidaria
Porites panamensis Corales pétreos Cnidaria
Pacifigorgia agassizii Abanicos de mar Cnidaria
Spirobranchus spp Gusanos de mar Annelida
Pocillopora elegans Corales pétreos Cnidaria
Aplysina sp1 Esponjas Porifera
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TOP 5 DOMINANT SPECIES BY REGION REGIONS
1-4
5-8
INVERTEBRATES
9-12 9
PACIFIC OCEAN
9 10
11
13
11
Dominant: A species is dominant when it has a great influence over the composition of the community. These are ecologically successful and abundant species within a community group.
12
REVILLAGIGEDO
12
ISLAS MARÍAS
10
BAHÍA BANDERAS
Pacifigorgia media Abanicos de mar Cnidaria
Leptogorgia ena Abanicos de mar Cnidaria
Leptogorgia rigida Abanicos de mar Cnidaria
Leptogorgia rigida Abanicos de mar Cnidaria
Leptogorgia alba Abanicos de mar Cnidaria
Pacifigorgia arenata Abanicos de mar Cnidaria
Leptogorgia sp4 Abanicos de mar Cnidaria
Leptogorgia sp4 Abanicos de mar Cnidaria
Pacifigorgia agassizii Abanicos de mar Cnidaria
Pacifigorgia agassizii Abanicos de mar Cnidaria
HUATULCO
13
IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO
Aplysina revillagigedi Esponjas Porifera
Leptogorgia ena Abanicos de mar Cnidaria
Diadema mexicanum Erizos de mar Echinodermata
Tubastraea coccinea Corales pétreos Cnidaria
Rhopalaea birkelandi Ascidias Chordata
Leptogorgia rigida Abanicos de mar Cnidaria
Diadema mexicanum Erizos de mar Echinodermata
Leptogorgia cuspidata Abanicos de mar Cnidaria
Leptogorgia alba Abanicos de mar Cnidaria
Pocillopora eydouxi Corales pétreos Cnidaria
Pocillopora damicornis Corales pétreos Cnidaria
Leptogorgia cuspidata Abanicos de mar Cnidaria
Eucidaris thouarsii Erizos de mar Echinodermata
Pocillopora elegans Corales pétreos Cnidaria
Tubastraea coccinea Corales pétreos Cnidaria
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TOP 5 DOMINANT SPECIES BY REGION 1-4
REGIONS
5-8
FISH
9-12 1
1 2
3
4
PACIFIC OCEAN
3
Dominant: A species is dominant when it has a great influence over the composition of the community. These are ecologically successful and abundant species within a community group.
UPPER GULF
2
SANTA ROSALÍA
Girella simplicidens Babunco verde Herbivoro
Prionurus punctatus Cochinito punteado Herbivoro
Bodianus diplotaenia Vieja mexicana Carnivoro
Haemulon sexfasciatum Burro almejero Carnivoro
Mycteroperca rosacea Cabrilla sardinera Piscivoro
Holacanthus passer Ángel rey Herbivoro
Haemulon steindachneri Roncador frijol Carnivoro
Anisotremus interruptus Burro ñato Carnivoro
Haemulon steindachneri Roncador frijol Carnivoro
Abudefduf troschelii Petaca banderita Zooplanctivoro
LORETO
4
CORREDOR
Abudefduf troschelii Petaca banderita Zooplanctivoro
Haemulon sexfasciatum Burro almejero Carnivoro
Microlepidotus inornatus Ronco rayadillo Herbivoro
Prionurus punctatus Cochinito punteado Herbivoro
Prionurus punctatus Cochinito punteado Herbivoro
Paranthias colonus Sandía Zooplanctivoro
Caranx sexfasciatus Jurel ojón Piscivoro
Seriola rivoliana Carangidae Piscivoro
Haemulon sexfasciatum Burro almejero Carnivoro
Abudefduf troschelii Petaca banderita Zooplanctivoro
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TOP 5 DOMINANT SPECIES BY REGION 1-4
REGIONS
5-8
FISH
9-12 5
5
6 8 7 PACIFIC OCEAN
7
Dominant: A species is dominant when it has a great influence over the composition of the community. These are ecologically successful and abundant species within a community group.
LA PAZ
6
LA VENTANA
Abudefduf troschelii Petaca banderita Zooplanctivoro
Haemulon maculicauda Burro rasposo Carnivoro
Sphyraena lucasana Picuda agujona Piscivoro
Lutjanus viridis Pargo azul-dorado Carnivoro
Prionurus punctatus Cochinito punteado Herbivoro
Caranx caballus Jurel bonito Piscivoro
Haemulon maculicauda Burro rasposo Carnivoro
Prionurus punctatus Cochinito punteado Herbivoro
Lutjanus argentiventris Pargo amarillo Piscivoro
Abudefduf troschelii Petaca banderita Zooplanctivoro
CABO PULMO
8
LOS CABOS
Caranx sexfasciatus Jurel ojón Piscivoro
Caranx sexfasciatus Jurel ojón Piscivoro
Chanos chanos Chanos chanos Carnivoro
Prionurus punctatus Cochinito punteado Herbivoro
Prionurus punctatus Cochinito punteado Herbivoro
Rhinoptera steindachneri Myliobatidae Carnivoro
Mycteroperca jordani Baya Piscivoro
Mulloidichthys dentatus Chivo barbón Carnivoro
Anisotremus interruptus Burro ñato Carnivoro
Hoplopagrus guentherii Pargo roquero Piscivoro
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TOP 5 DOMINANT SPECIES BY REGION REGIONS
1-4
5-8
FISH
9-12 9
PACIFIC OCEAN
9 10
11
13
11
Dominant: A species is dominant when it has a great influence over the composition of the community. These are ecologically successful and abundant species within a community group.
12
REVILLAGIGEDO
12
ISLAS MARÍAS
10
BAHÍA BANDERAS
Acanthurus xanthopterus Cirujano aleta amarilla Herbivoro
Holacanthus passer Ángel rey Herbivoro
Lutjanus viridis Pargo azul-dorado Carnivoro
Haemulon maculicauda Burro rasposo Carnivoro
Chanos chanos Chanos chanos Carnivoro
Prionurus punctatus Cochinito punteado Herbivoro
Prionurus punctatus Cochinito punteado Herbivoro
Scarus perrico Loro jorobado Herbivoro
Caranx caballus Jurel bonito Piscivoro
Haemulon steindachneri Roncador frijol Carnivoro
HUATULCO
13
IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO
Caranx sexfasciatus Jurel ojón Piscivoro
Prionurus punctatus Cochinito punteado Herbivoro
Johnrandallia nigrirostris Mariposa barbero Carnivoro
Caranx lugubris Jurel negro Piscivoro
Microspathodon dorsalis Jaqueta gigante Herbivoro
Thalassoma lucasanum Arcoiris de Cortés Carnivoro
Paranthias colonus Sandía Zooplanctivoro
Mulloidichthys dentatus Chivo barbón Carnivoro
Stegastes acapulcoensis Pomacentridae Herbivoro
Anisotremus interruptus Burro ñato Carnivoro
Haemulon maculicauda Burro rasposo Carnivoro
Chromis atrilobata Castañeta cola de tijera Zooplanctivoro
Elagatis bipinnulata Macarela salmón Piscivoro
Aetobatus narinari Chucho pintado Carnivoro
Stegastes flavilatus Jaqueta de dos colores Herbivoro
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How do
OUR MONITORS PREPARE? Each monitor for the LTEMP goes through training and a series of tests in order to improve their abilities to work under water and ensure that the data they collect is reliable.
EQUIPMENT
NEXT
Each monitor should have complete SCUBA diving equipment and material.
SCUBA Valves
A 50 m reference line is placed by the fish monitors and used as a reference point for the direction and distance of each transect.
Visor Pressure indicator
SCUBA regulator
A pair of divers is required to monitor each site; one person counts fish, and the other counts invertebrates.
Wetsuit Cutoff valve Regulator Air console
SCUBA Air hose
5 meters
Hoses
1 hour per monitored site
Dive computer
45 min
1 meter Each monitor takes a plastic clip-board with waterproof sheets where data is jotted down with plastic pencils, and a PVC tube measuring 1m.
Aletas
30 min
Both divers have to be synchronized in order to complete a transect in 15min.
15 min A
B
C
D
Every 2 cm in the case of invertebrates. A
Every 5 cm in the case of fish.
The PVC tube is marked with letters in alphabetical order. The monitors use this to estimate the size of the organisms.
Each pair does 2 transects at 20 m and 2 transects at 5m, totaling 4 transects per depth. 20 meters
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How do
OUR MONITORS PREPARE? Each monitor for the LTEMP goes through training and a series of tests in order to improve their abilities to work under water and ensure that the data they collect is reliable.
TRAINING
BACK
1. A monitor must have completed 100
6. Once the person has learned the aforementioned abilities, he or she will practice in the field. Each site has to be monitored with a single tank in depths of 20 and 5 meters and within only an hour. As part of the training, the divers are timed in order for them to learn the rhythm required.
2. Each person must define which group
7. During training in the field, apprentices
3. Each monitor has to learn the species
8. Once the training course is completed, monitors are selected to carry out the monitoring campaign, where they will acquire experience in different weather conditions, such as strong currents or low temperatures.
dives as a minimum, to ensure safety and proper experience.
compare their data with more experienced monitors, as counting techniques and species identified can vary from apprentice to certified monitor. Once the number and size of organisms seen by a monitor and an apprentice are similar, the student is ready for his or her first monitoring campaign.
they are interested in monitoring since the technique is different and the level of precision is high when identifying either fish or invertebrates.
present in the Gulf of California, to distinguish the approximately 207 species of fish and 209 species of invertebrates registered, and also have general biological knowledge of each one.
4. Once the person passes a series of tests to evaluate his or her ability to dive and identify species, training can begin.
5. During an annual monitoring course of
Training is rigorous as the work is carried out in different conditions and each monitor has to have the capacity to solve any difficulty that arises under water, help their teammates, and produce reliable data.
reefs in the GC, divers learn techniques to carry out a number of activities, like placing a transect, selecting sites to monitor, the patters of the letters and numbers used to designate species and size of organisms, among others. TO LEARN MORE
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photoStories Photos:
Ramiro de Jesús Arcos Aguilar y Carlos Sanchez Since its inception more than 60 people, including researchers and students, have collaborated in the collection of ecological data.
The LTEMP was founded in 1998 by Dr. Carlos Sánchez, Dr. Enric Sala and Dr. Octavio Aburto-Oropeza.
The monitors document the species of fish and invertebrates and the changes that are observed in the marine landscape.
The diversity of monitored reefs allows the gathering of necessary information for a better understanding of these ecosystems so important for marine life.
Each monitoring campaign adds to the collection of information on the biological status of the reefs of the Gulf of California that in 2017 adds 20 years of data.
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