Louisiana State University LSU Digital Commons LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses Graduate School 1992 Ecosystem Models of Aquatic Primary Production and Fish Migration in Laguna De Terminos, Mexico. Enrique Reyes Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_disstheses Recommended Citation Reyes, Enrique, "Ecosystem Models of Aquatic Primary Production and Fish Migration in Laguna De Terminos, Mexico." (1992). LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses. 5406. https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_disstheses/5406 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at LSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses by an authorized administrator of LSU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. 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Ann Arbor, M l 48106 ECOSYSTEM MODELS OF AQUATIC PRIMARY PRODUCTION AND FISH MIGRATION IN LAGUNA DE TERMINOS, MEXICO A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in The Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences by Enrique Reyes B.S., Universidad Autdnoma Metropolitana, 1983 M.S., Universidad Nacional Autdnoma de Mdxico, 1988 August 1992 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This research was supported by a scholarship from the Direccibn General de Asuntos del Personal Acadbmico, UNAM, Mexico, and from grants by the U.S. Man and Biosphere program, U.S. Dept, of State and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. The development of the computer interface for ecological information transfer was supported with an scholarship from the Pew Charitable Trusts in Integrated Approaches to Training in Conservation and Sustainable Development. Many people made valuable contributions to this dissertation. First among them was my major professor, John W. Day, whose early comments shaped the structure of the whole project, and his constant insightful ideas and suggestions significantly strengthened the flow of this research. The members of my advisory committee, Drs. Michael E. Orlowski, Lawrence J. Rouse, Richard F. Shaw, Fred H. Sklar, Paul H. Templet, who always displayed such a keen interest in my work; I can't thank them enough for their contributions and positive criticisms along the way. There are some special people that I would like to mention, Dr. Alejandro Ybhez-Arancibia, who as my national advisor, constantly steered me towards resource management, specially from the Mexican perspective. His suggestions were indispensable in bringing me back to reality. The special and golden opportunity that Dr. Ybftez-Arancibia gave me to demonstrate the interface to our President was beyond any academic interests. A heartfelt thanks to all the staff of the EPOMEX program, particularly Ana Laura, whose ideas and fun were always such a refreshing welcome. Thanks to all the students at the Dept, of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, especially from the old crew, Dano and Rick, who were always there to share a laugh and a few beers, as well as constantly improving on their Spanglish. Finally, I would like to thank my family, Ana Maria, Ana, Rodolfo, Raul and Carolina for a continuous supply of love and understanding so far away from home. Alejandra and Lorena, I miss you girls. TABLE OF CONTENTS page ACKNOWLEDGMENTS..................................................................................... ii LIST OF TABLES.................................................................................................. vii LIST OF FIGURES................................................................................................ viii ABSTRACT............................................................................................................ x CHAPTER 1. LANDSCAPE ECOSYSTEM MODELING AND INFORMATION TRANSFER FOR A TROPICAL COASTAL LAGOON............................. 1 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................ 2 Advances in Landscape Ecosystem Simulation ................................... 4 Hierarchical Properties of Landscape Ecosystem Simulations 5 Dynamics in Landscape Ecosystem Simulations ................................. 7 Laguna de Terminos Landscape Simulation Model ........................... 8 OBJECTIVES.................................................................................................... 11 Chapter 2 - A Conceptual Design for Landscape Simulation of Fish Migration: the Regional Organism Exchange (ROE) model 12 Chapter 3 - Landscape Ecosystem Model for Aquatic Primary Production and Fish Migration in Laguna de Terminos, Mexico.... 12 Chapter 4 - Ecological and Resource Management Information Transfer for Laguna de Terminos, Mexico: a computerized interface. ...................................................................................................................... 15 REFERENCES................................................................................................ 16 CHAPTER 2. A CONCEPTUAL DESIGN FOR LANDSCAPE SIMULATION OF FISH MIGRATION: THE REGIONAL ORGANISM EXCHANGE (ROE) MODEL.............................................................................................................. 22 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................ 23 STUDY AREA.................................................................................................. 24 M ETH O D S....................................................................................................... 27 Numerical Techniques ............................................................................... 27 Landscape Techniques .......................................................................... 29 Forcing Functions .................................................................................... 35 RESULTS.......................................................................................................... 36 iv DISCUSSION.................................................................................................... 44 CONCLUSIONS ............................................................................................. 49 REFERENCES................................................................................................ 51 CHAPTER 3. LANDSCAPE ECOSYSTEM MODEL FOR AQUATIC PRIMARY PRODUCTION AND FISH MIGRATION IN LAGUNA DE TERMINOS, MEXICO............................................................................................................ 56 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................. 57 STUDY SITE..................................................................................................... 60 Meteorology ............................................................................................... 62 Circulation Pattern ................................................................................... 62 Water Chemistry ......................................................................................... 63 Primary Producers ................................................................................... 64 Nekton .......................................................................................................... 66 METHODS....................................................................................................... 69 Conceptual Diagram ................................................................................ 70 Forcing Functions ....................................................................................