Colombian Pacific Research Articles

Multidimensional poverty in the Colombian pacific: identification, measurement and recent trends

The Pacific is the region of Colombia with the greatest economic lag and the lowest living standards of its population. The objective of this study is to investigate poverty in the Colombian Pacific, taking as a reference the multidimensional approach, applying different identification methodologies and aggregation indicators. The main result is that despite the reduction in poverty between 2010 and 2018, it has not been systematic and has presented much more moderate levels than the situation in the rest of the country; in particular, the region has great deficiencies in education levels and access to health.

Potential negative impacts of climate change outweigh opportunities for the Colombian Pacific Ocean Shrimp Fishery

Climate change brings a range of challenges and opportunities to shrimp fisheries globally. The case of the Colombian Pacific Ocean (CPO) is notable due the crucial role of shrimps in the economy, supporting livelihoods for numerous families. However, the potential impacts of climate change on the distribution of shrimps loom large, making it urgent to scrutinize the prospective alterations that might unfurl across the CPO. Employing the Species Distribution Modeling approach under Global Circulation Model scenarios, we predicted the current and future potential distributions of five commercially important shrimps (Litopenaeus occidentalis, Xiphopenaeus riveti, Solenocera agassizii, Penaeus brevirostris, and Penaeus californiensis) based on an annual cycle, and considering the decades 2030 and 2050 under the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways SSP 2.6, SSP 4.5, SSP 7.0, and SSP 8.5. The Bathymetric Projection Method was utilized to obtain spatiotemporal ocean bottom predictors, giving the models more realism for reliable habitat predictions. Six spatiotemporal attributes were computed to gauge the changes in these distributions: area, depth range, spatial aggregation, percentage suitability change, gain or loss of areas, and seasonality. L. occidentalis and X. riveti exhibited favorable shifts during the initial semester for both decades and all scenarios, but unfavorable changes during the latter half of the year, primarily influenced by projected modifications in bottom salinity and bottom temperature. Conversely, for S. agassizii, P. brevirostris, and P. californiensis, predominantly negative changes surfaced across all months, decades, and scenarios, primarily driven by precipitation. These changes pose both threats and opportunities to shrimp fisheries in the CPO. However, their effects are not uniform across space and time. Instead, they form a mosaic of complex interactions that merit careful consideration when seeking practical solutions. These findings hold potential utility for informed decision-making, climate change mitigation, and adaptive strategies within the context of shrimp fisheries management in the CPO.

Aboveground biomass in a post-mining forest succession in the Colombian Pacific

Introduction: Mining is one of the main drivers of deforestation of tropical forests. This activity affects the storage of aboveground biomass of these ecosystems; therefore, their ability to contribute to the mitigation of global climate change. Objective: To assess the influence of soil properties on the aboveground biomass storage of post-mining forests in the Colombian Pacific. Methods: Plots were established in areas post-mining and with different successional ages (12-15 years, 30-35 years, and mature forest). The aboveground biomass and physicochemical parameters of the soil were measured. Results: An aboveground biomass of 15.58 t ha-1, 35.17 t ha-1, and 178.32 t ha-1 was recorded at 12-15 years, 30-35 years, and mature forests, respectively. The species with the highest biomass content in post-mining forests were Cespedesia spathulata and Clidemia septuplinervia. The aboveground biomass was positively correlated with organic matter (OM), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), CICE, total nitrogen (N), and silt. In contrast, the relationship was negative with sand, aluminum (Al), and potassium (K) content. It was evidenced that the relationship between aboveground biomass and soils differed in each successional age. When evaluating the changes of aboveground biomass and soils in the succession, it was observed that the aboveground biomass and total N increased with the recovery time. At the same time, the P and K decreased with succession. On the other hand, the contents of OM, Mg, Al, Ca, and CICE showed curvilinear tendencies since they increased in the first stages and then decreased in the advanced successional stages. Conclusions: Aboveground biomass increases with forest recovery time in the study area. This increase is influenced by the presence of two dominant species shared among the investigated ecosystems and by the soil's N, P, and K content.

First records of the class Crinoidea (Echinodermata) in the Colombian Pacific Ocean

The class Crinoidea is recorded for the first time in the Colombian Pacific Ocean based on 407 specimens collected on soft bottoms in eight stations at depths ranging from 350 to 934 m. Sampling was carried out using trawls with an epibenthic net (9 × 1 m opening, 2.5 knots for 10 min) during the Tumaco Offshore project (2012–2013). The specimens represent three comatulid crinoids, two of which were identified as Florometra tanneri (Hartlaub, 1895) and Psathyrometra fragilis (A.H. Clark, 1907); and one to the family level (Antedonidae). Taxonomic descriptions with images of the specimens, distribution, and comments of the two species collected in the Colombian Pacific are presented and discussed.

Three-Dimensional Hydrodynamic and CFD Modeling of a Tidal Barrage Power Plant without Sluicing in Buenaventura, Colombia

Recent research revealed the potential of tidal energy in the central coastal region of the Colombian Pacific. Buenaventura City, located in the Valle del Cauca department in Colombia, has an important opportunity to develop tidal power technologies near its marine coastal areas. This research implemented a 3D hydrodynamic model for simulating the hydrodynamics of the Buenaventura Bay to provide data as input for evaluating the hydraulics of a tidal barrage without sluicing through CFD modeling. According to the results, the velocities across the gates during Syzygy (April 2021) showed impressive velocities between 9 and 11 m/s, which suggest a high possibility of producing electricity through tidal turbines. The mean behavior of velocities in the gates pointed to values of 3 and 5 m/s in most of the cases. The results during the Stoa condition were interesting because flow velocities higher than 1 m/s were not expected. This is promising because the plant might produce electricity even during the Stoa condition. For the first time, the results of this research suggest that there exists a high possibility of implementing tidal barrage plants in Buenaventura City, Colombia.

Rainfall Sensitivity to Microphysics and Planetary Boundary Layer Parameterizations in Convection-Permitting Simulations over Northwestern South America

Convection-permitting modeling allows us to understand mechanisms that influence rainfall in specific regions. However, microphysics parameterization (MP) and planetary boundary layer (PBL) schemes remain an important source of uncertainty, affecting rainfall intensity, occurrence, duration, and propagation. Here, we study the sensitivity of rainfall to three MP [Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Single-Moment 6-class (WSM6), Thompson, and Morrison] and two PBL [the Yonsei University (YSU) and Mellor–Yamada Nakanishi Niino (MYNN)] schemes with a convection-permitting resolution (4 km) over northwestern South America (NWSA). Simulations were performed by using the WRF model and the results were evaluated against soundings, rain gauges, and satellite data, considering the spatio-temporal variability of rainfall over diverse regions prone to deep convection in NWSA. MP and PBL schemes largely influenced simulated rainfall, with better results for the less computationally expensive WSM6 MP and YSU PBL schemes. Regarding rain gauges and satellite estimates, simulations with Morrison MP overestimated rainfall, especially westward of the Andes, whereas the MYNN PBL underestimated precipitation in the Amazon–Savannas flatlands. We found that the uncertainty in the rainfall representation is highly dependent on the region, with a higher influence of MP in the Colombian Pacific and PBL in the Amazon–Savannas flatlands. When analyzing rainfall-related processes, the selection of both MP and PBL parameterizations exerted a large influence on the simulated lower tropospheric moisture flux and moisture convergence. PBL schemes significantly influenced the downward shortwave radiation, with MYNN simulating a greater amount of low clouds, which decreased the radiation income. Furthermore, latent heat fluxes were greater for YSU, favoring moist convection and rainfall. MP schemes had a marked impact on vertical velocity. Specifically, Morrison MP showed stronger convection and higher precipitation rates, which is associated with a greater latent heat release due to solid-phase hydrometeor formation. This study provides insights into assessing physical parameterizations in numerical models and suggests key processes for rainfall representation in NWSA.

Influence of Mining on Nutrient Cycling in the Tropical Rain Forests of the Colombian Pacific

Nutrient recycling is a fundamental process for the functioning of tropical forests; however, anthropogenic activities such as mining could affect this process in tropical ecosystems. Given that little is known about the effects of mining on nutrient recycling in tropical forests, the objective was set to evaluate the influence of mining on nutrient cycling in tropical rainforests of the Colombian Pacific. Additionally, the hypothesis that nutrient cycling could be lower in post-mining areas was evaluated. To evaluate the effect of mining on nutrient cycling, permanent plots were established in mature and post-mining forests. In both forests, soil acidity, aluminum (Al), organic matter (OM), total nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) were considered. Likewise, the litter production, decomposition, and accumulation on the ground were determined; additionally, nutrient content and nutrient use efficiency (NUE) were determined. It was observed that mining influenced the nutrient contents of the soil in a different way. It was evident that total N and soil OM were similar in both forests, while the contents of P, K, Ca, Mg, Al, and ECEC available were higher in post-mining. The litterfall production and litter mass accumulation on the ground were greater in post-mining, while litter decomposition was greater in mature forests. In mature forests, there was higher foliar content of N, Ca, and B and, in addition, higher NUE of Ca. However, in post-mining, there was higher leaf content of K, Mg, P, Fe, Cu, Mn, and Zn and, in addition, greater NUE of N, P and K. In conclusion, an increase in post-mining nutrient cycling was noted as a strategy for nutrient conservation, and recovery of the functioning and maintenance of productivity in degraded Pacific ecosystems. Consequently, it is expected that in the future, if mining continues in the region, productivity and nutrient recycling will be altered.

Design of a Wave Generation System Using an Oscillating Paddle-Type Device Anchored to Fixed Structures on the Coast

Wave energy, a form of renewable energy, is derived from the movement of sea waves. Wave energy generation devices are technologies designed to harness this resource and convert it into electricity. These devices are classified based on their location, size, wave direction, and operating principle. This work presents the design of an oscillating device for harnessing wave energy. For this purpose, computational fluid dynamics and response surface methodology were employed to evaluate the influence of the percentage of the blade height submerged below the water surface (X1) and the distance from the device to the breakwater in terms of the percentage of the wave length (X2). The response variable studied was the hydrodynamic efficiency (η) of the device. Transient fluid dynamic simulations were carried out using Ansys Fluent software 2023 R1, with input conditions based on a wave spectrum characteristic of the Colombian Pacific Ocean. Analysis of variance determined that both factors and their interaction have significant effects on the response variable. Using the obtained regression model, the optimal point of the system was determined. Numerical results showed that the maximum η of the system was achieved when the device was submerged at 75% of its height and was positioned 10% of the wave length away from the vertical breakwater. Under this configuration, η was 64.8%. Experimental validations of the optimal configuration were conducted in a wave channel, resulting in a η of 45%. The difference in efficiencies can be attributed to mechanical losses in the power take-off system, which were not considered during the numerical simulations.

Debates and Reflections from the Cultural Heritage Perspective on the “Plan especial de salvaguardia: saberes y tradiciones asociados a la manifestación del viche/biche del Pacífico colombiano”

The text discusses the “Plan especial de salvaguardia: saberes y tradiciones asociados a la manifestación del viche/biche del Pacífico colombiano” [“Special Safeguarding Plan: Knowledge and Traditions Associated with the Manifestation of Viche/Biche of the Colombian Pacific”,] elaborated by the Colombian Ministry of Cultures, Arts, and Knowledges in 2023 as an instrument for the management of viche, an artisanal beverage included in the nation’s intangible heritage lists. Each of the document’s components is analyzed, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses and proposing some strategies in order to complement them. The general reflection falls within the framework of critical cultural heritage studies, aiming to contribute to the development of more reflexive cultural public policies. The article warns about the processes of patrimonialization that undermine the balance between the environment, the people, their manifestations, and cultural practices underlying the universe of traditional cuisines.

Influence of soil nutrients on net primary productivity in post-mining forests in the Colombian Pacific

ABSTRACT Tropical forests have the highest rates of net primary productivity (NPP) in terrestrial ecosystems and, therefore, may contribute significantly to the mitigation of global climate change. Although NPP is influenced by soil fertility, and recently, in some regions, mining activity in forest ecosystems has intensified. Little is known about how soils determine the restoration of NPP in forests degraded by mining. We evaluated the influence of soil nutrients on wood NPP of post-mining forests in the biogeographic Chocó region (Colombia), with emphasis on the effects of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) limitations in post-mining forests under successional stages of 12-15 or 30-35 years. For this, permanent plots were established in secondary post-mining forests in Jigualito (Colombian Pacific), the wood NPP (accumulated and current) was evaluated, and it was related to soil properties such as organic matter (OM), acidity, Al, total N, available P, magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and texture. An accumulated wood NPP of 0.72 t ha -1 yr -1 was recorded in post-mining forests 12-15 years old. Meanwhile, in post-mining forests of 30-35 years, the accumulated wood NPP was 6.52 t ha -1 yr -1 . The current wood NPP was 4.25 t ha -1 yr -1 in post-mining forests with 30-35 years of recovery. Accumulated NPP positively correlated with soil OM, total N, Ca, Mg, and effective cation exchange capacity–ECEC in post-mining forests. In post-mining forests, a slow recovery of the wood NPP was denoted in the first years. Soil nutrients determined the wood NPP, and a multiple limitation of nutrients with the succession was observed, which corroborates the need to restore the degraded ecosystem in the region.

Biological and Fishery Parameters of Jumbo Squid (Dosidicus gigas) in the Colombian Pacific, a Resource without Directed Fishing Exploitation

The distribution range of the jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas) has increased over the past few decades; it is now found in the entire Eastern Pacific Ocean and is considered an important species in the small and large fisheries of Chile, Perú, Ecuador, Costa Rica and Mexico but not in the Pacific region of Colombia. Three night-fishing campaigns were conducted over a year in the coastal Baudó-San Juan environmental unit, adjacent to the Bajo Baudó Encanto de Manglares Regional Integrated Management District in Chocó, at three locations 20 km, 35 km, and 45 km from the coastline to establish the availability and viability of jumbo squid as an alternative to the target species of artisanal fisheries in the Colombian Pacific. Night fishing sets were conducted at 60 m and 200 m depth at each sampling station to assess some of the biological parameters of the jumbo squid population (mantle length-ML, weight, growth and size at sexual maturity). Most catches were obtained in February and March. Growth was isometric, the average catch size was 24.3 cm ML, size at sexual maturity (L50) was 23.25 cm ML, estimated maximum size (L∞) was 39.9 cm ML, the growth constant (K) was 0.83, and mortality due to experimental fishing was 26 cm ML. According to our results, the jumbo squid fishery in the Colombian Pacific artisanal fishery would be viable during the first months of the year.

Meeting the challenges and strategies regarding malaria elimination: qualitative evaluation of perceptions from a local population in Colombia

“One Health” and “Social Determinants of Health” approaches are crucial for implementation of sustainable strategies for the control and elimination of infectious diseases such as malaria. These approaches highlight the importance of the social component in the design of elimination strategies, as well as the communities’ involvement in the implementation of these measures at local levels. Qualitative analysis approaches for malaria research can be useful for assessing population acceptance of intervention measures and for addressing negative perceptions that can threaten the success of control goals by undermining the community’s trust in interventions. In this paper, we explore some observations and interpretations from the qualitative content analysis of two open-ended questions about malaria, from a survey conducted between September and November 2016 in Guapi, a high risk transmission area in the Colombian Pacific Region. Using the spatial transmission unit concept for the analysis of the conditions and factors involved in malaria transmission under the “One Health” and “Social Determinants of Health” approaches, we reveal that responders’ perceptions reflects both the need and requirement for continuous assistance to solve local problems and also a comprehensive problem-solving effort by the government that includes basic sanitation. From the analyses, we present a graphic model that illustrates how to address the problem of malaria control and elimination from the perspectives of the community’s perceptions in Guapi, highlighting the need for joint efforts of community, academy, and government to achieve the goal of controlling and eliminating malaria in the region.

Five years of data collection, student theses, and disseminating information soundscape studies in the Gulf of Tribugá, Colombia

In 2018, the Ports, Humpbacks, y Sound In Colombia (PHySIC) Project began to record soundscapes in the Gulf of Tribugá, Northern Colombian Pacific, for the first time. This was of interest to local conservation groups who were against building a megaport in the native mangrove habitat that provides livelihoods for the people of Chocó. Five years later, no port has been built, documentaries about the ecosystem have won awards, before-after/control-impact studies have been done on fish and humpback whale acoustic behavior, delphinid call catalogs have been assembled, propagation modeling has mapped acoustic connectivity, and a new vocalization category for humpback whales has been discovered. The work has been executed through internships, and undergraduate and masters theses at various universities. This project has a variety of data-to-information challenges: storing data for access across various countries, navigating data analysis and dissemination in two languages, transferring knowledge as students graduate, and tailoring results for general conservation groups and policymaking audiences. To celebrate the colleagueship and academic successes of the first five years of PHySIC, this talk will describe the list of discoveries and studies done in the Gulf of Tribugá, which was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in the summer of 2023.

Marine community trophic structure of Malpelo Island, Colombia from stable isotopes approach

Expanding knowledge of the trophodynamic of ecosystems improves the understanding of energy flow and interactions formed in food webs; therefore, structural knowledge of food webs helps to understand the ecosystem dynamics. This study describes the marine trophic structure of the largest marine protected area (MPA) of the Colombian Pacific in Malpelo Island, using δ13C and δ15N. A total of 293 (38 groups/families) samples were collected and analyzed, being mostly represented by teleosts, followed by crustaceans, elasmobranchs, zooplankton, seabirds, and others functional groups. The marine isospace was between −21.5‰ and − 10.0‰ for δ13C and between 4.6‰ to 16.9‰ in δ15N. The Malpelo Island marine ecosystem showed a food web composed of five trophic levels (TLs): TL-I (primary producers), TL-II (herbivores), TL-III (primary carnivores), TL-IV (secondary carnivores), and TL-V (tertiary carnivores), along with three intermediate TLs (TLs II-III, III-IV, and IV-V). The isotopic diversity index showed global low values of uniqueness (IUni) (0–0.349), intermediate values of IRicGlobal, and IDisGlobal (0.350–0.640), and high values of IDivGlobal, and IEveGlobal (0.650–1). TLs reflected high trophic interaction indices as a result of multifunctionality (12 feeding mechanisms) and possible ontogenetic changes of organisms in this ecosystem. This study includes the first insights into the marine trophic structure of the Malpelo Island and indicate some functional aspects of the entities that inhabit this ecosystem. This study fill information gaps for the MPA and constitute an important tool to improve the elaboration of management and conservation measures based on the knowledge of the ecosystem function.

A random forest model to predict soil organic carbon storage in mangroves from Southern Colombian Pacific coast

Mangrove ecosystems serve as significant reservoirs of carbon stocks, particularly within the soil. However, these ecosystems face widespread degradation globally, underscoring the necessity for comprehensive technical insights to facilitate effective management. Enhancing the precision of soil organic carbon estimates within mangroves necessitates access to precise field data. Hence, this study aimed to assess the soil organic carbon stored in mangrove ecosystems along the southern Colombian Pacific coast. Employing a Random Forest model, constructed with data from 28 soil profiles spanning a depth of 2 m and 16 predictor variables, we evaluated the model's performance using repeated 10-fold cross-validation (with 5 random repeats). Uncertainty in carbon storage predictions was quantified through 95% confidence intervals. Our model successfully accounted for 88% of the variability in soil organic carbon storage. Depth, cation exchange capacity, pH, and sand content emerged as the most influential predictors of soil organic carbon storage variation. The study estimated a mean of 270.32 ± 52.75 t C ha−1, with a total carbon reserve of 25458088 t in the study area. Notably, this value falls below global estimates, suggesting a potential overestimation of carbon stocks in mangrove soils by existing global models.

First Record of Parasphaerosyllis malimalii (Polychaeta: Syllidae) from Gorgona Island (Colombian Pacific)

A new species of polychaete, Parasphaerosyllis malimalii (Syllidae), inhabiting coral colonies of Pocillopora spp. was described on Coiba Island (Pacific coast of Panama) by Capa et al. (2001a). To improve its description and provide additional ecological remarks, 73 specimens of P. malimalii, found in dead fragments of Pocillopora spp. in two research projects on bioerosion in Gorgona Island (Colombian Pacific coast), between March 1998 and December 1999, and June 2015 and August 2018, were examined and measured. The average (±SD) length (in mm) of the specimens from the first (n=38) and second (n=35) projects were 2.84 (0.42) and 8.86 (3.24) respectively. The largest specimen was collected in the second project and measured 15.4 mm. The pygidium of this species has a pair of cirri slightly thicker and longer than the parapodial cirrus. These polychaetes are mostly dead coral inhabitants, nesting in vacant galleries left by borers. With this record, the distribution range of P. malimalii is extended southward to Gorgona Island. We are confident that this species must inhabit other coral reefs in the area, so we propose that the distribution of this species must be circumscribed to the Tropical Eastern Pacific.

Influence of Tropical Easterly Waves on the ChocoJet during the 2019 OTREC Campaign

Abstract This study investigates how convectively coupled tropical easterly waves (TEWs) affect the Choco low-level jet (ChocoJet) as they move across the western Caribbean. The ChocoJet is a low-level flow over the eastern Pacific (EPAC) that modulates precipitation patterns over the tropical eastern Pacific and northwestern South America. By combining data from the Organization of Tropical East Pacific Convection (OTREC; August–September 2019), ERA5 reanalysis products, and satellite data, we analyze precipitation and circulation patterns during convectively coupled and nonconvectively coupled TEWs, comparing them to non-TEW days. During convectively coupled TEWs days, the ChocoJet strengthens and becomes more southerly, while the ITCZ moves northward, leading to enhanced precipitation over the western Caribbean and drier conditions over the northern part of the Colombian Pacific. In contrast, nonconvectively coupled TEW days exhibit reduced precipitation and precipitable water over the Caribbean and far EPAC, with a layer of northeasterly flow centered at 850 hPa flowing over a shallower, weaker, and more westerly ChocoJet. Additionally, convectively coupled TEWs are associated with a weaker western Caribbean and far eastern Pacific pressure gradient compared to nonconvective TEWs. These observable and predictable synoptic-scale circulation–precipitation relationships contribute to a better understanding of hydrometeorological variability in the region. Significance Statement Tropical easterly waves and related convective organization traversing the Caribbean Sea are important sources of synoptic-scale precipitation–circulation variability in the far eastern Pacific and Colombian Pacific. This eastern tropical Pacific study aims to identify precipitation–circulation relationships that enhance the understanding of synoptic-scale meteorological phenomena.

High-resolution imagery of the coral reefs of Gorgona Island, Colombian Pacific Ocean: An improved view for monitoring and research

The shape and size of a coral reef are both key factors influencing its ecology and biodiversity. These parameters play a fundamental role in the creation of specific habitats that support a rich biodiversity. They also greatly influence its resilience to climatic events and external influences. Here we present a practical example of photogrammetric reconstruction of the best developed coral reefs of the Colombian Pacific, located at Gorgona Island. Using unoccupied aerial vehicles (drones) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), we produced high resolution orthophotomosaics and precise contour maps of four reefs and updated estimates of reef areas. We illustrate the improved accuracy of these maps in comparison with maps obtained from satellite imagery and conclude by highlighting the usefulness of drones to locate, measure, and monitor small coral reefs.

Carbon reserves in deltaic mangroves of the Colombian Pacific across different disturbance degrees

Mangrove forests occupy less than 1% of tropical forest areas, but account for approximately 3% of global tropical forest carbon sequestration and act as a natural atmospheric CO2 sequestration mechanism, which gives them an important role in climate change mitigation. However, different anthropogenic disturbances continue to negatively impact the structure and function of mangrove ecosystems; therefore, it is important to investigate the effect of specific anthropogenic alterations on the capacity of mangroves to store carbon. The present study aimed to test the hypothesis of a direct relationship between the degree of anthropogenic intervention and the reduction of mangrove carbon stocks. Eight edge forest types with different degrees of anthropogenic intervention and multiple uses were selected. Six 100 m2 plots were established in each forest to determine its structure and evaluate the concentration of sedimentary organic carbon and biomass. The anthropogenic disturbance index (ADI) was used to quantify the degree of specific disturbances in the studied forests. The results supported the proposed hypothesis, showing that the mangroves with the highest anthropogenic disturbance measured through the ADI registered the lowest values in blue carbon. However, it is evident that in addition to anthropogenic disturbances, impacts such as coastal erosion pose a very important threat to some of these forests. Estimated organic carbon losses in the study area were between 8.4% and 49.3%, corresponding to 158 and 929 Mg CO2 eq ha−1, respectively. Logging is one of the main disturbances that affects forests differently according to their structural development. Forests with higher structural development are subject to greater pressure. Carbon losses from logging are not only reflected in aboveground carbon, but are also evident in sedimentary carbon.

A novel approach for improving the spatiotemporal distribution modeling of marine benthic species by coupling a new GIS procedure with machine learning

In this study we developed and validated a new integrative method for constructing and assessing Species Distribution Models (SDMs) for marine benthic species across spatial and temporal scales. This methodology synthesizes four dimensions-latitude, longitude, depth and time-into a unified predictive output, achieved by integrating a novel GIS tool, Bathymetric Projection (BP) with machine learning algorithms. BP can extract multi-dimensional data from remote sensing and satellite-derived datasets across the oceanic water column, including latitude, longitude, depth, and time. This data is then mapped onto the ocean floor using a reference bathymetric layer. The resulting seafloor layer is a predictive variable within the SDMs for benthic species. The model output quantifies the probability of species occurrence, or habitat suitability, as determined by environmental conditions specific to the ocean floor across the four dimensions. We validated this approach using two benthic species from the Colombian Pacific Ocean: the White shrimp (Litopenaeus occidentalis) and the Coliflor shrimp (Solenocera agassizii). The model's performance ranged from 87% to 98%, as indicated by 30-fold cross-validation on test datasets. Depth ranges and monthly seasonal patterns were accurately predicted when compared to independent literature data, confirming the model's capability to generate precise spatiotemporal distributions for benthic species. This research underscores the necessity of incorporating depth and time into SDMs, given their critical interactions with latitude and longitude in determining species distribution. The methodology offers a valuable tool for informing decision-making processes in fisheries and environmental management by enhancing the predictive accuracy of spatiotemporal distributions for benthic species, thereby facilitating more holistic interpretations of habitat suitability.