Ecological Response of the Coral Ecosystem of the Balandra Flora and Fauna Protection Area to El Niño: Changes in Community Structure and Functional Composition

The coral ecosystems of the Balandra Flora and Fauna Protection Area in Baja California Sur are vital to marine biodiversity and local coastal communities. However, ocean warming associated with El Niño can cause thermal stress and coral bleaching. Understanding their capacity for recovery is essential for guiding conservation and management efforts in the face of climate change.

This project will continue the underwater monitoring of seven sites in Balandra conducted by COSTASALVAJE since 2022, in collaboration with Mexico’s National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) and the Autonomous University of Baja California Sur (UABCS). Using the standardized methodology for monitoring coral reefs in the Mexican Pacific, the project will assess changes in the coverage of live, bleached, and dead coral, as well as the abundance, richness, evenness, diversity, and functional composition of fish and invertebrate communities, and fish biomass.

Comparing the 2027 data with historical records will make it possible to identify patterns of degradation, recovery, and community reorganization, as well as potential signs of resilience to El Niño–related thermal stress. This information will provide evidence to guide the adaptive management and protection of Balandra’s reefs.

The project will strengthen the capacities of UABCS students and protected-area staff through their participation in fieldwork. Results will be shared with authorities, researchers, and local stakeholders, and communicated through environmental education activities and the promotion of responsible tourism practices, encouraging shared responsibility for the conservation of Balandra’s reefs.