Abstract
Abstract: Coastal development and marine ecosystems in Culebra Bay, Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Culebra Bay (North Pacific, Costa Rica) is under an accelerated process of coastal development since the implementation of the large-scale tourism development Gulf of Papagayo Project. This study aims to identify changes in the health status of marine ecosystems within the bay, during a 18yr time period (1993-2011). The high sanitary and aesthetic quality of this bay has remained constant through time. However, coral reefs are degraded and dead coral accounts for more than 65 % of benthic coverage, likely due to a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors. During the study period, only one of the developers consortium has proved their commitment to accomplishing the goals of sustainable development, as established in the bay’s Master Plan, through the practice of social and environmental programs. Management of natural resources in Culebra Bay requires the implementation of specific actions to promote the ecosystems’ recovery, with inclusion of all stakeholders. It must consider the current use of natural resources and include water waste management and environmental education programs. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(Suppl. 1): S309-S327. Epub 2018 April 01.
Highlights
Las zonas costeras en todo el mundo son importantes puntos de visitación turística y de acuerdo con el World Economic Forum [WEF] (2017) Costa Rica es reconocido como uno de los principales destinos turísticos en la región Latinoamericana
This study aims to identify changes in the health status of marine ecosystems within the bay, during a 18yr time period (1993-2011)
The high sanitary and aesthetic quality of this bay has remained constant through time
Summary
Sitio de estudio: Bahía Culebra, localizada dentro del Golfo de Papagayo en el Pacífico norte de Costa Rica (Fig. 1), es una bahía relativamente cerrada que alberga playas, manglares y ensenadas. Compromiso ambiental de algunos actores: Entre agosto 2010 y enero 2012 se contactó con cinco de las principales empresas concesionarias (indicadas como A, B, C, D y E) (Fig. 1), para consultar sobre su compromiso ambiental y acciones específicas dirigidas a la protección de los recursos naturales de la bahía. Contaminación costera: Entre octubre 2010 y junio 2011 Playa Panamá tuvo el mayor promedio geométrico (17.4 CF/100 mL) y se clasifica como “calidad buena” (Cuadro 1). Al integrar todos los sitios y analizar la bahía como una unidad se determina que la calidad de sus aguas costeras durante el periodo de estudio es de clase AA (“aguas bacteriológicamente excelentes”) y con el menor nivel de contaminación por CF (Cuadro 1, 2). Al evaluar la composición porcentual de los desechos sólidos (Fig. 2), el plástico y los materiales celulósicos
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