Abstract

This provides characterization of the waters surrounding of Dos Mosquises Sur cay, Los Roques Archipelago National Park, Venezuela. The area is zoned for special protection, including a ban on fishing. Dos Mosquises is also home to the marine station of the Los Roques Scientific Foundation, and base for research in biology, ecology and fisheries. The objective of the study was to conduct a map of the benthic habitats surrounding the cay, in order to identify potential essential habitats for lobsters, conch and fishes of commercial interest, as well as identify changes in the extent of these habitats over the past half century. Aerial photos from 1944 and 1975, as well as a satellite image from 1999 were examined and ground-truthed at 100 points randomly selected within the study area. Additionally, a bathymetric map was created using a Lowrance LCX-15 MT echosounder, attached to a GPS unit. An increment in cover of marine vegetation and corals with a reduction of sand cover bottoms was observed. This study should contribute to understanding the marine habitats in this important national park, as well as the fluctuations in habitat cover over time.

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