UNAH CURLA multidisciplinary contribution the conservacion of the seagrass meadow of the Laguna de Guaimoreto Wildlife Refuge

Abstract

The writing highlights the importance of conservation management in protected areas, such as the Laguna de Guaimoreto Wildlife Refuge (RVSLG), and the need to create alliances to generate scientific information and make sustainable use of resources. The main results of the multidisciplinary collaboration coordinated by UNAH-CURLA in 2017- 2018 are presented. The marine area of the Refu-ge is part of an extensive meadow, there are 37 sandbanks, a species of seagrass (Thalassia testudinum) covering 69% of the marine area, 12% of algae and other accompanying benthic species and 19% of sediments. The starfish population was one every 21,7 m2. Carbon sequestration in seagrasses in biomass and sediment was estimated for the first time in Honduras. A biomass of 3,3 ± 1,69 Mg C ha-1 (±SD) was determined per sampled plot (n=29). And for sediment, between 2 342 Mg C and 88 689 Mg C (n=8). The information generated new municipal policies, and created interest in the carbon issue. Multidisciplinary work and alliances were the greatest strengths.