Perez Perez, Jenniffer

Profile Picture

Filters

20221
Reset filters

Settings

Citations

Publication Search Results

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Impacts of floating Sargassum accumulation on the fringing mangrove Rhizophora mangle in southwestern Puerto Rico: A case study
    (2022-12-13) Perez Perez, Jenniffer; Armstrong, Roy A.; College of Arts and Sciences - Sciences; Cruz Motta, Juan J.; Hernández López, William J.; Department of Marine Sciences; Morales Payán, José P.
    Satellite images have shown massive amounts of drifting pelagic Sargassum spp. affecting the Caribbean islands since 2011. High-resolution satellite images have been used from January 2015 to 2021 to identify influxes and accumulation of Sargassum in Southwest Puerto Rico. The Floating Algae Index (FAI) was applied to Sentinel 2A Multi-spectral Instrument (MSI) imagery to identify drifting pelagic Sargassum in the La Parguera Natural Reserve (LPNR). The purpose of this study was to assess the long-term (chronic impacts) of Sargassum accumulation on fringing red mangroves. Sampling trips were conducted every 14 days since May 2019 to assess Rhizophora mangle (red mangroves) litterfall primary productivity at six sampling sites along the coast where Sargassum accumulates. Physical and biogeochemical parameters of the water column were studied before and after Sargassum arrivals for trends in light penetration, chlorophyll concentration, colored dissolved organic matter, pH, dissolved oxygen salinity and temperature at these sites. The mangroves at Isla Guayacán had the highest Sargassum accumulation with the lowest litterfall primary production of all sampling sites. Field observations and satellite data showed high mangrove mortality at this location. Sites that contained Sargassum accumulation had the lowest litterfall production, which can be attributed to anoxic conditions caused by Sargassum accumulations.