Characterization and ecological succession of the terrestrial flora and fauna located in the 12 de octubre neighborhood, Los Ríos province.

Caracterización y sucesión ecológica de la flora y fauna terrestre ubicada en el barrio 12 de Octubre, de la provincia de Los Ríos.

Sánchez Arízaga, Williams; Álvarez Pico, Marcelo

Williams Sánchez Arízaga

williams.sancheza@ug.edu.ec

Universidad de Guayaquil Ecuador

Marcelo Álvarez Pico

marcelo.alvarezp@ug.edu.ec

Universidad de Guayaquil Ecuador

ACTA OCEANOGRAFICA DEL PACÍFICO

Instituto Oceanográfico y Antártico de la Armada, Ecuador

ISSN: 1390-129X

ISSN-e: 2806-5522

Periodicity: Semestral

vol. 4, no. 2, 2022

acta.oceanografica@inocar.mil

Received: 11 March 2022

Accepted: 23 June 2022

URL: http://portal.amelica.org/ameli/journal/648/64835846483584003/

Non-profit publishing model to preserve the academic and open nature of scientific communication

ePub generated from XML JATS4R

Abstract: The purpose of this research is to characterize and establish the ecological succession of the October 12th neighborhood of the Quinsaloma canton in the province of Los Ríos, which presents a significant alteration of the vegetation strata. The study area is part of the remnants of the secondary forest areas of the Fluminense Province, which, although not part of a protected area, is part of a fragile ecosystem, due to the importance of the biotic species found in the area. It should be noted that most of them have considerable biological value because they are native or endangered species. This is due to the fact that the anthropogenic agent has exerted an edge effect for many years, reducing the normal biotic capacity of the successional state within their life cycle. Through the characterization of the area, a biotic baseline survey was carried out, determining a high percentage of introduced and native species. The flora is dominated by the Anacardiacea family, with Mangiefera indica and Spondias purpurea being the representative species. Regarding the fauna of the study area, we found an Ornithofauna with a greater record of the family Catharidae, being the species Coragys atratus and Coragys. sp. and the Entomofauna is dominated by the Order Diptera, and with a higher density of species of the Family Nymphalideae. Therefore, and based on the present study, we establish that, in the study area, the natural habitat of the fauna presents anthropic interventions, this disturbance caused by human activities, become limiting factors to be able to directly observe the fauna of the sector. No endemic species were recorded in this study; however, the possibility of recording them at other times of the year and with more specific studies, especially in the case of insects and mammals, is not ruled out.

Keywords: Ecological succession, ecotone, endemic, diversity.

Resumen: La presente investigación tiene como propósito caracterizar y establecer la sucesión ecológica del barrio 12 de Octubre del cantón Quinsaloma en la provincia de Los Ríos, el cual presenta una alteración significativa de los estratos vegetales. El área de estudio forma parte de los remanentes de las áreas de bosque secundario de la Provincia Fluminense, que, aunque no forma parte de un área protegida, forma parte de un ecosistema frágil, debido a la importancia de las especies bióticas presentes en el área. Cabe señalar que la mayoría de ellos tienen un valor biológico considerable por tratarse de especies autóctonas o en peligro de extinción. Esto se debe a que el agente antropogénico ha ejercido un efecto de borde durante muchos años, reduciendo la capacidad biótica normal del estado sucesional dentro de su ciclo de vida. A través de la caracterización del área se realizó un relevamiento de línea base biótica, determinando un alto porcentaje de especies introducidas y nativas. La flora está dominada por la familia Anacardiacea, siendo Mangiefera indica y Spondias purpurea las especies representativas. En cuanto a la fauna del área de estudio encontramos una Ornitofauna con mayor registro de la familia Catharidae, siendo las especies Coragys atratus y Coragys. sp. y la Entomofauna está dominada por el Orden Diptera, y con mayor densidad de especies de la Familia Nymphalideae. Por lo tanto, y con base en el presente estudio, establecemos que, en el área de estudio, el hábitat natural de la fauna presenta intervenciones antrópicas, estas perturbaciones provocadas por las actividades humanas, se convierten en factores limitantes para poder observar directamente la fauna del sector. No se registraron especies endémicas en este estudio; sin embargo, no se descarta la posibilidad de registrarlos en otras épocas del año y con estudios más específicos, especialmente en el caso de insectos y mamíferos.

Palabras clave: Sucesión ecológica, ecotono, endémico, diversidad.

Introduction

Ecological characterization is a dynamic process that allows the identification of various components of the ecosystem, allowing the origin of a sequence of changes in the ecological community that are observable in time and space; according to Kormondy, Edward J., (1994) this successional state is the result of the internal dynamics of ecosystems.

The study area is part of the remnants of the secondary forest areas of the Fluminense Province, which, although not part of a protected area, is part of a fragile ecosystem, due to the importance of the biotic species found in the area. It should be noted that most of them have considerable biological value, as they are native or endangered species.

Currently, the study area and its surroundings present zones where ecological conditions have changed almost completely due to human activities. In spite of being altered ecosystems, they are providing refuge for species of low sensitivity that are coexisting with human populations.

According to Margalef R., (1986) among the ecological aspects studied is the trophic niche, which expresses the interrelation of the organism with the ecological factors, that is, the position or function of a population or part of it in the ecosystem. The function that each species fulfills in the ecosystem, that is, its ecological niche, is determined by a series of factors, the main one being biological relationships.

Therefore, and based on this definition, we establish that in the study area, the natural habitat of the fauna presents anthropic interventions, this disturbance caused by human activities, become limiting factors to directly observe the fauna of the sector, with the purpose of identifying the ecological succession of the terrestrial flora and fauna located in the neighborhood of October 12, Quinsaloma canton.

This section will establish the relevant concepts that are part of the ecological characterization, among other important aspects that will serve as a basis and conceptual theoretical reference for this research.

Biodiversity: Synonymous with biological diversity, it means the diversity of life in all its forms: the diversity of species, of genetic variations within a species, and of ecosystems.

Conservation: The protection, care, management and maintenance of ecosystems, habitats, wild species and populations, within or outside their natural environments, in order to safeguard the natural conditions for their long-term permanence. Ex situ conservation. The conservation of components of biological diversity outside their natural habitats. In situ conservation. The conservation of ecosystems and natural habitats and the maintenance and recovery of viable populations of species in their natural environments and, in the case of domesticated and cultivated species, in the environments in which they have developed their specific characteristics.

Ecosystem: According to the Convention on Biological Diversity, an ecosystem is understood as a dynamic complex of plant, animal and microorganism communities and their non-living environment interacting as a functional unit. Ecosystems can be small and simple, such as an isolated pond, or large and complex, such as a specific rainforest or a coral reef in tropical seas.

Ecosystem approach: A strategy for the integrated management of land, water and living resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable manner. The ecosystem approach places human needs at the center of biodiversity management. It aims to manage the ecosystem, based on the multiple functions performed by ecosystems and the multiple uses made of these functions. The ecosystem approach does not aim to obtain short-term economic benefits, but to optimize the use of an ecosystem without damaging it.

Mitigation: Measures that permit an activity with a negative impact on biodiversity, but reduce the impact on the site by considering changes to the scale, design, location, process, sequence, management and/or monitoring of the proposed activity. It requires a joint effort by planners, engineers, ecologists, other experts and often local stakeholders to arrive at the best practical environmental option. An example is the unacceptable impact on biodiversity of building a particular road, which is mitigated by the construction of a wildlife viaduct.

Evolutionary process: sequence of events that produce changes in gene frequencies within a population. Such changes may result in the appearance of new species (speciation) or new intraspecific taxa.

Resilience: Ecosystem resilience is the capacity of a system to absorb disturbances and reorganize while maintaining similar function, structure and feedbacks. In plant and animal communities, this property depends largely on adaptations by individual species to perturbations or stresses experienced during the evolution of the species.

Restoration: Recovery ofthe structure, function and processes of the original ecosystem.

Ecological succession: Aprocess based on the natural replacement of the species that make up an ecological community by another set of species, as a result of the internal dynamics of ecosystems.

Materials and methods

The methodology to be used in this research was field-based, which is called Rapid Ecological Assessment (REA), developed by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) of the International Union for Conservation International (IUCN), the purpose of which is to obtain general information bases that allow for in-depth and medium- and long-term monitoring in order to acquire, analyze and manage ecological information efficiently and effectively in a short period of time and at low cost (Methodology of Sobrevilla & Bath, detailed in: "Rapid Ecological Assessment (REA), developed by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which aims to obtain general information bases that allow for in-depth and long-term monitoring in order to acquire, analyze and manage ecological information in an efficient and effective manner in a short period of time and at low cost (Methodology of Sobrevilla & Bath, detailed in: "Rapid Ecological Assessment (REA)"). Bath, detailed in: Muchoney et al. 1994; Sayre et al., Soto & Jimenez, 1992 and Kappelle et al., 2002).

Types of research studies

Kappelle, et al. 2002 indicates that: ERA is a methodology that helps to quickly make available information necessary for decision-making related to biodiversity conservation in critical areas, i.e., in poorly known areas, and/or where biodiversity is threatened by human action (Sayre et al. 2000); it can be extended with Environmental Impact Assessment to learn about the environmental impact of human activities on ecosystems.

Muchoney et al. (1994), among others, explain that RBA is a process consisting of a series of detailed analyses that make use of remotely sensed spatial information. The purpose of this is to delimit priority areas for biodiversity conservation; detect potential threats that endanger biodiversity; and direct specific research such as biodiversity inventory and monitoring.

Research design

It is established that the research design was carried out through an in situ diagnosis with a focus on the area itself, located in four sites in the 12 de Octubre neighborhood on February 2, 9, 16 and 23, 2022.

Figure 1
Surveying the coordinates of the study area

Geographical location: UTM WGS 84 coordinates:

tabla Geographical location: UTM WGS 84 coordinates:

The present research is mixed: quantitative and qualitative, the same one that tries to demonstrate results by means of the identification and to determine the existing number of the species that are found in a sequential way in the area.

The data obtained by the quantitative method determined the number of species through distribution and density, which are ecological statistical data that allowed quantifying and compiling the respective data analysis.

On the other hand, the data obtained by the qualitative methodology determined the types of species found in the evaluation sites, making it possible to establish which biological organisms are part of the current and situational state of the area, using the Margalef Index to determine the existing diversity in the area.

The mixed research methodology consisted of selecting, recording, tabulating and analyzing data obtained from the research using qualitative and quantitative methods.

Figure 2
Entrance to the study area Barrio 12 de Octubre

Results

By means of the Rapid Ecological Evaluation (REE), the following values were obtained for the flora and fauna of the site, establishing the following results of the present investigation:

Flora

The Rapid Ecological Evaluation (REE) recorded 3 families and 4 species of flora, of which the most important species is Spondias purpurea (Anacardiaceae), followed by the species Azadirachta indica (Meliaceae. and also, in a smaller number of individuals, the species Mutingia calabura (Mutingiaceae).

Table 1

Percentages of species in the study area

Table 1. Percentages of species in the study area.

Ornithofauna

During the tour along the study area, the presence of different species of this class was observed and heard directly. In addition to local sources, the following birds were identified.

Birds are very sensitive to environmental pollution and are therefore considered to be indicators of the general condition of a given ecosystem.

Most of the birds found in this sector only visit this place as a feeding site, and in case of an impact in this area, these species would only change their feeding sites, looking for new places. No nesting sites were found in the area, so any human activity in the area would not alter their reproduction and therefore their biological cycle.

Table 2

Record of ornithofauna

Table 2 Record of ornithofauna.

Mastofauna

Mammals are the most endangered species due to several factors because the area is very fragmented and has a high anthropogenic factor due to the activities in the area. In this study site there are no longer many individuals and/or species of this taxa, as they generally migrate to safer places.

Herpetofauna

At the study site, no species of this taxa were sighted within the study area, but due to the proximity of the Umbe River water body, it is established that there are amphibian and reptile species as part of the bioindicator species of this life zone.

Entomofauna

The diversity of insect species and other arthropods present in dry tropical areas is directly related to the vegetation cover and the state of conservation of the ecosystem; in open sites and with some degree of impact, the populations of these organisms tend to be homogeneous and of generalist characteristics.

In the project area, the presence of butterflies (Agraulis vanillae and Anartia amathea), dragonflies (Gomphus vulgatissimus), flies (Musca domesticus) and mosquitoes (Culex sp) was recorded.

Table 3

Record of entomofauna

Table 3 Record of entomofauna.

Endemic, sensitive and/or protected flora species. - This baseline update does not record any species that are in any category of threat determined by the IUCN, nor have any endemic species been recorded, therefore, no species is found in the Red Book of endemic plants of Ecuador (León-Yánes, 2011) and none are in Appendix I, II and III of CITES (Convention International Trade in Endangered Species).

Feasibility

The importance of ecological succession lies in the importance of maintaining a dynamic and constant process that allows maintaining the balance in natural processes, to develop the feasibility of this process in any community of flora and fauna allows ecosystems to develop processes of adaptation, selection, number of niches, diversity and dominance of species with greater adaptive capacity.

Conclusions

The study area is considered a highly disturbed zone, where there are no flora and fauna elements that could be affected or modified by the activity, construction, maintenance and future anthropogenic activities in the area.

In relation to the flora, the Anacardiacea family predominates, with the following species being representative: Mangiefera indica and Spondias purpurea, respectively mango and plum trees, which are cosmopolitan species and easily resistant to human activity.

The low faunal diversity is due to the anthropic incidence or alteration caused by human settlements, because it is a highly disturbed area.

The ornithofauna found in the study area, the most predominant family is Catharidae, being the species Coragys atratus and Coragys. sp. of the species of the gallinules who are found in greater presence.

In relation to the Entomofauna of the study area, the Order Diptera prevails, and by family the Nymphalideae predominate.

In relation to the successional state of the flora and fauna, it is determined that there is a greater predominance of introduced species, which are associated with a high degree of adaptability to resilient conditions.

References

Kormondy, Eduard J. 1994. Concepts of ecology. Madrid: Alianza, 280 p. ISBN 84-206-2032-7.

León - Yanes, 2011. Red Book of Endemic Plants of Ecuador. Edition: Second edition Publisher: QCA Herbarium Publications. Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador Editor: Susana León Yánez, Renato Valencia, Nigel Pitman, Lorena Endara, Carmen Ulloa-Ulloa, Hugo Navarrete ISBN: 978-9942-03-393-2

Margalef, Ramón, 1986. Ecología. 4th edition Barcelona: Planeta, 256 p. ISBN 84-320-6444-0.

Muchoney et al. 1994. Ecological Assessment of the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park. 90 pp.

IUCN, 2016. (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Resolution 69 on defining nature-based solutions, World Conservation Congress, Honolulu, Hawaii USA. https:// portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/ resrecfiles/WCC_2016_RES_069.

IUCN, 2020. Guidance for using the IUCN Global Standard for nature-based solutions. A user-friendly framework for the verification, design and scale-up of nature-based solutions. First edition. Gland, Switzerland. ISBN: 978-2-8317-2063-0

Kappelle et al., 2012. Assessment of the conservation status of montane forests in the tropical Andes. Ecosystems 21 (1-2): 148-166. January-August 2012