Priorización espacial como herramienta para la conservación del Albatros Ceja Negra en la Plataforma del Atlántico Sudoccidental

Spatial planning of the marine environment is considered a useful spatial management tool for biodiversity conservation. The Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophris) is a long-lived seabird with a wide distribution in the South Atlantic and the main species associated with fishing vessels, suffering high rates of bycatch. Given these characteristics, the present study aimed to define priority areas for conservation in the Southwest Atlantic, using T. melanophris as a key species. Spatial prioritization analyses were performed using the zonation program, which uses information on the distribution or habitat suitability of the species, among other variables and parameters. To define the priority areas, in the first instance only information on the suitability of the species' habitat was considered, then the anthropic variables fishing effort and closed areas were considered as limiting or forcing, respectively, in the selection of areas. The identified priority areas for conservation were located on the 50m isobath from the north of the Valdés Peninsula to Mar del Plata, and others at the mouth of the Río de la Plata, on the 50m isobath on the Buenos Aires Platform and one on the external zone of El Rincón, depending on the years used for the analysis. The addition of anthropic variables in the analysis allowed the identification of priority areas for conservation within the closed areas already established. The information presented is useful as an input for the development and management of marine protected areas.

This paper is password protected, i.e., pdf not available