A Practical Index to Estimate Mangrove Conservation Status: The Forests from La Paz Bay, Mexico as a Case Study

Abstract

Mangrove cover has declined significantly in recent years in tropical and subtropical areas around the world. Under this scenario, it is necessary to elaborate and implement tools that allow us to make estimations on their conservation status and improve their protection and support decision-making. This study developed an index using qualitative and quantitative data. The criterions used in the index were: (1) Remnant Vegetation Index, (2) Delphi Method Survey, and (3) Rapid Assessment Questionnaire. In turn, the weights of the criterions were defined using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP). Once the values of each criterion were obtained, the index was applied to 17 mangrove communities located in La Paz Bay, Mexico. Finally, according to their score, they were classified based on the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems. The results show that five communities were ranked in the category Minor Concern, eight in Little Threatened, one in Vulnerable, one in Endangered, and two were classified as Deficiency of Data. These results are slightly different from other studies in the region and validate this index as a proper method. Therefore, it could be applied to other sites, especially in areas with little information and/or scarce monetary resources.

Water, Soil and Air Pollutants’ Interaction on Mangrove Ecosystem and Corresponding Artificial Intelligence Techniques Used in Decision Support Systems - A Review

“…Several researches have abundantly performed the assessment of mangrove health status [165] and trend loss of mangrove forests [166], or to categorize the conservation index of mangrove forests [167]. Faridah-Hanum, et al [165] classified the status of mangrove forests comprehensively in an ecological-socioeconomic approach using biotic integrity, soil, marine, hydrology, and socio-economic factors.…”

Inventory of fishery resources using participatory research approach in Mandovi Estuary in Central western coast of India

“…The estuaries provide nursery habitats with the presence of structurally complex habitats such as seagrass, mangroves, salt pans and salt marsh, which is crucial in the life history of aquatic species (Nicolas et al, 2010). Mangrove habitats along the estuarine gradient determines the ecosystem function and the composition of fish species (Ávila-Flores et al, 2020). Tropical estuaries also function as rich feeding grounds for predatory, benthic and herbivorous fishes, and thereby harbour a number of fish species (Blaber et al, 2000;Baker and Sheaves, 2006;Blaber, 2007;Elliott et al, 2007), and add economic value to subsistence and artisanal fishermen.…”

Driven by Drones: Improving Mangrove Extent Maps Using High-Resolution Remote Sensing

“…The region is characterized by intertidal plains, scrub coastal plains, dunes, and low hills. These mangrove ecosystems cover a total of 9184 hectares [25,26] and are composed of the same three species as in Puerto San Carlos [27,28]. Both Puerto San Carlos and La Paz have semi-arid mangroves that are dwarfed in height (from one to seven meters) [29].…”