Susana Perera-Valderrama

Dr. Susana Perera-Valderrama

National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity (CONABIO).
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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

18Years (2009-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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2 January 2019 in Marine Biology Research
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
HAHansel Caballero Aragón
Hansel Caballero Aragón
Maickel ArmenterosMaickel Armenteros
Maickel Armenteros
Susana Perera-ValderramaSusana Perera-Valderrama
Susana Perera-Valderrama
NVNéstor Rey Villiers
Néstor Rey Villiers
DCDorka Cobián-Rojas
Dorka Cobián-Rojas
PMPedro M. Alcolado Menéndez
Pedro M. Alcolado Menéndez
The condition of coral reefs in the Cuban Archipelago is poorly known. We aimed to analyse coral assemblages across 199 reef sites belonging to 12 localities. Crest and fore reefs were assessed using six metrics: species richness, density, coral cover, mortality, coral size and reef complexity. The condition of reefs varied across the archipelago from healthy to depleted reefs. The localities with best scores were Cienfuegos, Bahía de Cochinos and Cazones. These reefs have values of living coral cover (>20%) and complexity (>50 cm) similar to the best preserved Caribbean reefs. However, the majority of crest biotopes suffered important deterioration with old mortality of Acropora palmata populations and moderate coral cover (15%); although crest reefs still maintained their structural complexity. Despite moderate levels of coral cover in fore reefs (18%), their condition was alarming because 25% of the sites had cover below the recovery threshold of 10%, accumulated mortality and structural flattening. Compared with the 1980s, the species richness was roughly the same (42) for crest and fore reefs, although dominance has changed to widespread tolerant species. Coral reef assemblages varied at local and regional scales in similar magnitude, suggesting the combined effects of natural and anthropogenic drivers.

1 January 2017 in Bulletin of Marine Science
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
Susana Perera-ValderramaSusana Perera-Valderrama
Susana Perera-Valderrama
AÁAylem Hernández Ávila
Aylem Hernández Ávila
JMJuliett González Méndez
Juliett González Méndez
OMOrestes Moreno Martínez
Orestes Moreno Martínez
DRDorka Cobián Rojas
Dorka Cobián Rojas
LFLázaro Francisco Rodríguez Farrat
Lázaro Francisco Rodríguez Farrat
Cuba has recognized that conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity is a priority. One of the main strategies it has developed is the creation of the National System of Protected Areas (Sistema Nacional de Áreas Protegidas, or SNAP), which includes an important marine component. Here, we present the current status of the Cuban marine protected areas (MPAs) and their challenges and prognoses. To date, 105 MPAs have been proposed; they cover 25% of the Cuban insular shelf. Of these, 57 have been legally incorporated into the system and 13 more are being managed to its standards, a total of 70 have some degree of implementation. About 30% of the Cuban coral reefs, 24% of the seagrass beds, and 35% of mangroves are legally protected by SNAP. The main challenges are insufficient financing and the difficulty of reinvesting profits generated within these areas. Prohibited fishing practices and capture of protected species are the principle issues that affect MPAs. The priorities for the immediate future are to assess the value of ecosystem services, strengthen connections with fishing communities, and achieve greater integration with other sectors to guarantee the proper management of tourism and fisheries in and near MPAs for the benefit of sustainable development.

1 October 2017 in Journal of Sea Research
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
Susana Perera-ValderramaSusana Perera-Valderrama
Susana Perera-Valderrama
HHHector A. Hernandez-Arana
Hector A. Hernandez-Arana
MRMiguel-Ángel Ruiz-Zárate
Miguel-Ángel Ruiz-Zárate
PAPedro M. Alcolado
Pedro M. Alcolado
HCHansel Caballero-Aragón
Hansel Caballero-Aragón
EGElena de la Guardia-Llansó
Elena de la Guardia-Llansó

1 July 2016 in Ocean & Coastal Management
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
Susana Perera-ValderramaSusana Perera-Valderrama
Susana Perera-Valderrama
HHHector A. Hernandez-Arana
Hector A. Hernandez-Arana
MRMiguel-Ángel Ruiz-Zárate
Miguel-Ángel Ruiz-Zárate
PAPedro M. Alcolado
Pedro M. Alcolado
HCHansel Caballero-Aragón
Hansel Caballero-Aragón
DCDorka Cobián-Rojas
Dorka Cobián-Rojas

8 July 2020 in Diversity
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
HCHansel Caballero-Aragón
Hansel Caballero-Aragón
Susana Perera-ValderramaSusana Perera-Valderrama
Susana Perera-Valderrama
Sergio Cerdeira-EstradaSergio Cerdeira-Estrada
Sergio Cerdeira-Estrada
Raul MartellRaul Martell
Raul Martell
Laura Rosique-de la CruzLaura Rosique-de la Cruz
Laura Rosique-de la Cruz
RRRainer Ressl
Rainer Ressl
Marine protected areas have been established as essential components for managing and protecting coral reefs to mitigate natural and anthropogenic stressors. One noteworthy example within the Mexican Caribbean is the Arrecife de Puerto Morelos National Park (APMNP), where several studies on the coral communities have been carried out since 2006. In June 2019, we conducted a study in eight sites of the APMNP applying a coral reef assessment method based on biological indicators of both the benthos and the fish communities. In this paper, we present the quantitative results of our study and provide a qualitative criterion assessing seven condition indexes through a scoring system. We also present a statistical comparison with a previous study carried out in 2016. The general status of coral reefs was classified as regular due to the low values of coral recruitment rate and biomass of key commercial fish species. However, living coral cover average was above 20%, with a slight dominance of framework building coral species and the presence of low values of fleshy algae cover, these being positive indicators. Our study found a higher proportion of reef promoter elements and a lower proportion of detractors, compared to a previous study carried out in 2016.

1 October 2020 in Ocean & Coastal Management
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
Susana Perera-ValderramaSusana Perera-Valderrama
Susana Perera-Valderrama
AHAylem Hernández-Ávila
Aylem Hernández-Ávila
HFHakna Ferro-Azcona
Hakna Ferro-Azcona
DCDorka Cobián-Rojas
Dorka Cobián-Rojas
JGJuliett González-Méndez
Juliett González-Méndez
ALAriagna Lara
Ariagna Lara