Resumen del producto

Mangrove forests are coastal ecosystems representing critical areas for feeding, reproduction, breeding, and shelter of several species of invertebrates, fishes, reptiles, birds, and some marine mammals like the coastal dolphin Tursiops truncatus (bottlenose dolphin). For the first time in Mexico, a critical habitat of a semi-resident group of dolphins in Ensenada de La Paz and the south-southeast of Bahia de La Paz is proposed, based on behavioral studies. In this zone, it is more frequent to observe small groups of mothers with calves and juvenile dolphins. Through the years, a shift in habitat use of these dolphins has been recorded. This effect is induced by environmental and anthropogenic factors. The loss of the southwest basin in Ensenada de La Paz due to silting, dredging and tropical cyclones. A similar reduction of the feeding activity has observed in the northwest basin due to fisheries and the increase of marine traffic that overlaps with the main transit route of bottlenose dolphins near El Mogote, thus affecting their behavior. The disturbance could further increase based on coastal development planned for the area. SEMARNAT has the authority to declare critical habitats for this group of coastal Tursiops using a secretariat agreement, based on scientific information available. By including them as part of the environmental policy other species will be protected too, establishing general management plans for conservation, building agreements with environmental authorities, researchers, government agencies, society organizations, fishermen, and general public.

Palabras clave: Bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, critical h; Ensenada de La Paz, Baja California Sur

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