Journal of Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems (Sep 2023)

Sustainability assessment of water coast systems through bird monitoring and water quality indicators. Case study: Juan Angola Channel - Cartagena, Colombia

  • Jalelys Leones,
  • Candelaria Tejada Tovar,
  • Juan Felipe Restrepo,
  • Katherine Velandia,
  • Gezira De Ávila-Montiel,
  • Ángel Villabona,
  • Eduardo SÁNCHEZ-TUIRÁN,
  • Karina Ojeda Delgado

DOI
https://doi.org/10.13044/j.sdewes.d11.0452
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 3
pp. 1 – 14

Abstract

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The impact caused by contamination, urbanism, and population growth in the water bodies in the north of Colombia has had a direct affectation on ecosystem sustainability. Two samplings were taken from Juan Angola Channel in the 2021 rainy season and the 2022 dry season in four sampling stations. This study evaluated the water quality of the Juan Angola channel using physicochemical parameters and birds as bioindicators. Bird biocounting was carried out to determine alpha, beta, and gamma diversity and the measurement of physicochemical parameters for the sampling stations. The research results showed notable changes in the alpha, beta, and gamma indices, where the diversity in the different channel sectors depends on instantaneous conditions, and indexes. The physicochemical parameters showed better results in the second sampling. However, in both samplings, there was ecosystem overexposure caused by anthropic factors, airport activities, environmental conditions degradation, and sewage pouring.

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