Geomar Molina-Bolívar ¹, Oscar Aldana-Ardila ¹, Iris Jimenez-Pitre ¹

Affiliations
1 BIEMARC, Universidad de La Guajira, Riohacha, CO

Abstract

Objective: This investigation had as objective to describe the tropic activities of the heron family Ardeidae) in units of Vegetation and Environment (EVU) of the coastal wetland Buenavista (CBH), La Guajira (Colombia). Methods: The CBH was divided into four sampling stations and five EVU's: beach (B), aquatic vegetation (VA), quagmire (Q), sand bank (SB) and open water (WO). The observations were carried out through censuses in points 25 fixed radio m., during 30 min. Findings: 340 individuals were sighted, of which the majority is found in the Q by the conditions of the place for food. The 71% of the individuals were found foraging, a fact that is given when the bird enters its peak or more than half on the substrate in search of food and 29% feeding activity; it is considered that the bird captures with his beak the dam and engullirla achieved. Application: The diversity of the herons was low, it was determined that the abundance of some species is due to the resources that offers this habitat and anthropogenic activities.

Keywords

Activities Food Webs, Coastal Wetland in Buenavista, Herons, Units of Vegetation and Environment

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Geomar Molina-Bolívar ¹, Iris Jimenez Pitre ¹, Noris L. Jimenez-Pitre ²

Affiliations
1 Research Group, BIEMARC, Universidad de La Guajira, Riohacha, CO
2 Research Group, EDUCARE, Universidad de La Guajira, Riohacha, CO

Abstract

Objective: This research was to formulate the Environmental Action Plan (PAA), as a strategy for the ecological restoration that describes the programs and projects on the basis of the ecosystem goods and services provided to communities living in the area of study; especially the Wayuu indigenous population. Materials and Methods: The identification of the stressors, constraints, goods and services, was established through secondary information; which was organized in a matrix of Excel. With the above, it identified and prioritized the issues that affect the estuarine ecosystem of the River Rancheria. The tool implemented for the analysis of causality was the array of Vester. With this we identified the critical issues that present a high level of causality. These include problems: Passive, indifferent, total liabilities and assets. Findings: The estuarine system of the river Rancheria is a natural resource that has a variety of living organisms on which they depend as a source of food and shelter. Presents numerous habitats such as mangroves, mudflats, wetlands and permanent and temporary lagoons; which give protection to the coastal areas and shelter for wildlife. Application: As a strategy for ecological restoration is proposed programs within the PAA are: Water quality, wildlife management, scientific research, biological monitoring and management and follow-up. In the ecoregion identified the main problems, pressures and threats that are intimately related to the nature of the wetland, and their environments.

Keywords

Ecological Restoration, Environmental Action Plan, Estuary of the River Rancheria, The Wayuu Indigenous Community

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Iris Jimenez-Pitre ¹, Jordi Rafael Palacio Gonzalez ², Geomar Molina-Bolívar ¹

Affiliations
1 BIEMARC, Universidad de La Guajira, Riohacha, CO
2 Ambientales Agua, Aire y Suelo, Universidad de Pamplona, CO

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this research was the development of the ECAME software which analyzes the quality of estuarine and marine waters. Materials and Methods: The development of the software has its bases in the calculation and interpretation of mathematical modeling for parameters as: BOD, pH, dissolved oxygen, thermotolerant coliforms, nitrates, phosphates, total suspended solids and chlorophyll α. The software integrates a series of logarithms established by equations calibrated through a series of curves function based on a constant value previously established. Findings: The equations, weights and computational modeling were carried in the Java programming language, which presents a graphical interface to enter data generates a value that indicates the status of the water as: optimum, adequate, acceptable, inadequate and poor. In addition, describes the percentage of reliability of the analysis. It is concluded that the development of applications to determine the quality of the water is a step forward for the multidisciplinary research already integrates knowledge of mathematics, physical-water chemistry and computer science. Application/improvements: The water quality indexes (ICA) are represented by numerical values. These are interpreted by ranks, which give an overview of the status of water quality on a specific point using mathematical calculations. The indexes facilitate the handling of data; avoid fluctuations in measurements that alter the results of the environmental trends.

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G. Luis Ruiz ¹, Iris Jimenez-Pitre ², Geomar Molina-Bolívar ³

Affiliations
1 Research Group, BIEMARC, Universidad de La Guajira, Riohacha, CO
2 Research Group, BIEMARC,Universidad de La Guajira, CO
3 Research Group, BIEMARC, Universidad de La Guajira, CO

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the bacteriological quality of the mangrove oyster and its aquatic environment, such as a risk factor in public health, through the consumption of these products from the natural environment. Materials and Methods: Data were collected about 60 samples of oysters and the surrounding water, between June and November 2004. Using the indirect method of counting multiple fermentation tubes, we estimated the concentration of bacteria indicators of total and fecal coliform contamination. The indicators of the bacteriological quality of the oysters presented a minimum of ≤ 3 NMP.100 mL^-1 and a maximum of 46 × 104 MPN.100 mL-1 of total coliforms, fecal coliforms showed a seasonal variation in concentrations between ≤3 NMP.100 mL^-1 and 2 × 103 MPN.100 mL^-1. Findings: The analysis of water samples recorded a range of concentration of coliforms from ≤ 3 NMP.100 mL^-1 to 3.9 × 105 NMP.100 mL^-1 and for fecal coliforms it ranged from ≤ 3 NMP.100 mL^-1 to 7 × 103 MPN.100 mL^-1. This study suggests that there exists a directly proportional relationship between the bacteriological quality of the mangrove oyster Crassostrea rhizophorae and the water quality of the environment, by its status filtering, which contributes a factor of risk to public health, the consumption of this food, especially if the consumption is done in a direct way. Applications/recommendations: the potentiality of the Bay of Mestizo, Colombia, for the development of a sustainable aquaculture of the mangrove oyster (Crassostrea rhizophorae), requires baseline studies on various environmental and social aspects which will lay the basis for the socio-economic development of this region.

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