Abstract
The uses of biological indicators allow to save time, resources and staff efforts when monitoring programs are conducted. The reef fishes are among the species with biggest potential as indicators since they are conspicuous, easy to identify in the field and have ecological and economical importance. The objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of higher taxa to predict fish ecological indices in Cabo Pulmo reef. We generated multiple stepwise regression equations with species abundance data grouped at genera and family levels as factors, and using ecological indices (H', J', delta*) as dependent variables. To test the efficiency of the models, the expected indexes were compared with those observed in the field during independent test surveys. Results showed that all models were highly significant, and the best fit occurred at genus level to H', while those used for delta*, based on family data level, were less precise. The proportion of variables required to apply prediction models of any ecological index never exceeded 41% of the total taxa (genera or families). In conclusion, the use of regression methods to determine higher taxa indicators is adequate and represents a good potential to be used in monitoring programs. In addition, the use of genera and families as indicators provide logistic benefits as training for monitors is less intense and expensive. Finally, the use of expected-observed comparisons to measure the quality of the evaluations can be useful for managers in order to interpret and communicate results of the scientific endeavors to the society, so they in turn can participate and help to improve and facilitate long-term monitoring at Cabo Pulmo National Park.
Highlights
MATERIALES Y MÉTODOSEl arrecife coralino de Cabo Pulmo se encuentra entre las coordenadas 23o26’00” N
Los arrecifes coralinos son considerados entre los ecosistemas más diversos, complejos y hermosos del planeta (Birkeland 1997), y son utilizados por los seres humanos para: investigación, recreación, fuente de alimentos y actividades económicas (Wilkinson 2002)
The reef fishes are among the species with biggest potential as indicators since they are conspicuous, easy to identify in the field and have ecological and economical importance
Summary
El arrecife coralino de Cabo Pulmo se encuentra entre las coordenadas 23o26’00” N. Posteriormente, los valores de abundancia obtenidos de los censos se agruparon a nivel género y a nivel familia y a partir de ahí se llevó a cabo la construcción de modelos de predicción mediante análisis de regresión múltiple, con la rutina por pasos (“stepwise”) y la versión “hacia adelante” (Zar 1999). El valor más bajo del coeficiente de determinación (R2=0.43), estuvo en el modelo que relacionó al índice de diferenciación taxonómica y la abundancia agrupada a nivel familia (Cuadro 1). El número de variables empleadas para la construcción de los modelos fue de 49 a nivel género y 25 a nivel familia, mientras que el número de taxa elegidos por la regresión por pasos fluctuó entre nueve y 20, las cifras más altas siempre correspondieron con las cifras de los coeficientes de determinación mayores (Cuadro 1). CUADRO 1 Análisis de regresión múltiple por pasos usada para definir taxa indicadores
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