Resumen del producto

Human impact and global warming are driving major modifications in the world’s ecosystems; the coastal zone being one of the most damaged. Seagrass meadows constitute coastal communities that have experienced great losses worldwide. The dominant seagrass in the meadows of the Pacific coast of North America is Zostera marina. There is evidence that Z. marina has been replaced in some places by the opportunistic seagrass Ruppia maritima with important implications to the trophic connections of local ecosystems. In Mexico there are few reports on the distribution and loss of seagrass meadows. Here we report on the importance that R. maritima has gained in three wetlands of northwest Mexico, replacing Z. marina and modifying local trophic networks. We made extensive samplings on Z. marina and R. maritima meadows, recording shoot density and marking their spatial distribution with GPS. We included information on the presence of R. maritima at other wetlands of northwest Mexico from historical reviews and current sampling. R. maritima was recorded in 29 localities; three of them are new records. Their shoot density and spatial coverage were highest in late fall and decreased in late spring; while Z. marina meadows increased after the reduction of R. maritima meadows. R. maritima now constitutes a primary food source for green turtles in the sampled wetlands, something unprecedented a few years ago. Improvement of wetland management plans is needed to stop environmental degradation, R. maritima invasion, and the loss of ecosystem functions.

Palabras clave: invasive species; aquatic plants; sea turtles; widgeongrass; eelgrass; marine protected areas.

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