Spatial Resilience of a Lagoon Ecosystem: The Case of the El Mellah Lagoon (Northeastern Algeria) | ||||
| Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries | ||||
| Article 19, Volume 28, Issue 5, September and October 2024, Page 331-354 PDF (1.07 MB) | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejabf.2024.378877 | ||||
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| Author | ||||
| LAROUCI et al. | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Mediterranean lagoons face a significant threat due to the prevalent risks of eutrophication and dystrophy, particularly in sectors with limited water renewal. The El Mellah Lagoon in northeastern Algeria represents a crucial ecosystem. Our study focused on assessing its operational state by examining the seasonal variability of spatial patterns indicative of eutrophication. Our primary hypothesis posited that a lack of fluctuation in spatial pattern expression reflects ecosystem dysfunction in the face of eutrophication-related disturbances. Our objective was to establish that the El Mellah Lagoon maintains robust health, capable of recovering or sustaining dynamic equilibrium following periods of instability induced by external or internal disruptions. To achieve this, we employed a methodology combining multidimensional analysis (utilizing STATIS from the K-TABLE family) and spatial analysis (employing Moran's I and ordinary Kriging interpolation). Statistical analyses of physicochemical and biological measurements revealed seasonal variations in key eutrophication parameters. The first principal components derived from the STATIS analysis underwent spatial analysis techniques. Consequently, the spatial models constructed unveiled the dynamics characterizing the operational states of the El Mellah Lagoon. This comprehensive approach aimed to demonstrate the lagoon's resilience and ability to withstand disturbances, fostering a dynamic equilibrium crucial for its long-term viability. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Ecosystem functioning; Eutrophication; Resilience; Spatial structure; STATIS | ||||
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