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Electronic poster - Cardoso Tubino Monteiro-Neto

Title
Download PDF Preliminary Ecopath Model of Itaipu Lagoon, NiterÛi, Rio de Janeiro ñ Brazil
Authors
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Cardoso AM1,2, de Almeida Tubino R1, Monteiro-Neto C1

  1. LaboratÛrio ECOPESCA
    Departamento de Biologia Marinha
    Universidade Federal Fluminense - UFF
    http://www.uff.br/ecopesca
  2. alanmottacardoso[AT]gmail.com
Abstract
Coastal lagoons are important ecosystems for maintaining coastal biological processes, especially regarding the renewal of fish stocks. In such environments we usually find high biodiversity and productivity, linked through complex and dynamic food chains. This work provides preliminary insights on the trophic organization of Itaipu Lagoon, Rio de Janeiro Brazil, aiming to promote coastal zone management and conservation of resources. The Itaipu lagoon has an area of approximately 1km≤ and an average depth of 1.5m. It is hypertrophic due to large inputs of domestic waste, but the water mass residence time is short, providing strong circulation and renewal within the system. We used historical data on fish and shelfish abundace collected over the past few years to build the preliminary Ecopath model. The Ecopath trophic flow diagram proposed for the 15 boxes model. Most abundant species (e.g. ladyfish, snook, carapeba mojarra, nile tilapia) were considered as individual groups, whereas forrage fishes (mostly clupeiforms) and crabs (Portunidae) were respectively pooled into separate boxes. The mixed trophic impact matrix, showed the positive impacts of the lowest levels (detritus, phytoplankton and benthic invertebrates) on most groups. Mullets, important fisheries resources, apparently had no trophic effect on any of the groups considered, whereas, the nile tilapia, an accidentally introduced species showed positive trophic impacts on snook, probably the top fish predator in the system. The Itaipu Lagoon Ecopath model appears to be a promising tool for understanding species or species groups roles within the system, therefore providing useful information for coastal zone and artisanal fisheries management.
Reference
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