Marine diagnosis and proposal for the implementation of artificial reefs in Morro Sama, Tacna-Peru

Morales-Cabrera N.I.; Ibárcena-Fernández L.W.; Castillo-Rojas C.R.; Pastor-Cuba R.A.; Tirado-Rebaza L.U.M.; Pajares-Centeno S.E. · Acta Biologica Colombiana (2026) · DOI: 10.15446/abc.v31n1.120598

Resumen

Artificial reefs are an effective alternative for the restoration and sustainable management of coastal marine ecosystems, as they contribute to biodiversity and habitat recovery. This study evaluated bathymetry, the distribution of structure-forming organisms, and marine currents along the Morro Sama coastline in Tacna, Peru, as a pilot area for the installation of artificial reefs. A bathymetric and bathylithological survey was conducted using a single-beam echosounder. For biodiversity analysis, stratified random sampling was applied in the shallow subtidal zone, encompassing two sectors with four stations each and two depth ranges: A (>10 m) and B (<10 m). The study of marine currents was carried out at ten stations, recording surface and bottom current magnitudes using a two-dimensional acoustic profiler. The results of the bathylithological analysis allowed for the distinction between simple substrates, such as rocky platforms, and composite substrates, such as sand or mud with shells. The main reef-building organisms identified were Balanus laevis (“picacho”), Pyura chilensis (“cochiza”), and Lessonia nigrescens (“black algae”). Surface currents ranged from 1,60 to 9,83 cm/s (average: 5,89 cm/s), while bottom currents varied from 1,04 to 17,26 cm/s (average: 7,11 cm/s). It is concluded that an area of 0,06931 km2 in Morro Sama meets the appropriate conditions for the installation of artificial reefs, considering the bathymetry, the presence of reef-building organisms, and the characteristics of the marine currents.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Jorge Basadre Grohmann; Escuela de Posgrado Newman