Coastal wetlands of the northern Gulf of California: inventory and conservation status

Abstract

ABSTRACT1. Above 288N, the coastline of the northern Gulf of California is indented at frequent intervals by negative or inverse estuaries that are saltier at their backs than at their mouths due to the lack of freshwater inflow. These 'esteros' total over 215 000 ha in area and encompass mangrove marshes below 298N and saltgrass (Distichlis palmeri) marshes north of 298N. An additional 6000 ha of freshwater and brackish wetlands are found in the Colorado River delta where fresh water enters the intertidal zone.2. The mangrove marshes in the Gulf of California have been afforded some degree of protected status in Mexico, but the northern saltgrass esteros do not have priority conservation status and are increasingly becoming development targets for resorts, vacation homes and aquaculture sites.3. We conducted an inventory of the marshes using aerial photography and satellite images, and evaluated the extent and type of development on each marsh. We reviewed the available literature on the marshes to document their vegetation types and ecological functions in the adjacent marine and terrestrial ecosystems.4. Over 95% of the mangrove marshes have been developed for shrimp farming. However, the farms are built adjacent to, rather than in, the marshes, and the mangrove stands are still mostly intact.5. The majority of saltgrass marshes above the mangrove line are still relatively unspoiled. However, resort and vacation home development is taking place on land surrounding them.6. We recommend a system of protected reserves incorporating the pristine wetlands, along with water quality management and buffer zones for the more developed esteros. The saltgrass marshes should be considered for conservation protection, similar to the protection given to the southern mangrove marshes whose value has already been recognized.

Relationship between halophyte distribution and soil environmental factors in the west coast of South Korea

“…Recently, researchers have attempted to restore salt marsh and estuary marsh (Chung and Park 1978;Ihm and Lee 1998;Glenn et al 2006;Konisky et al 2006: Nyman et al 2006Cho et al 2017). To restore salt marsh and estuary marsh with balanced functions, the relationship between salt marsh halophyte communities and soil physico-chemical factors should be studied first.…”

Mangroves in the Gulf of California increase fishery yields

“…1). Although human density is low in the Gulf of California, there is an increasing pressure to transform mangroves into shrimp farms and tourism developments (24)(25)(26). Additionally, modification of water flows through construction of marinas and channels is also an important threat for these ecosystems; for example, coastal areas near La Paz alone lost 23% of the mangrove forests between 1973 and 1981 because of development (27).…”

Evolucion geomorfologica y vegetacion costera de playa Palmeras, Parque Nacional Natural Isla Gorgona, Pacifico Colombiano

“…La temperatura, disponibilidad de agua dulce y nutrientes pueden alterar el número de meristemos en desarrollo, modificando la frecuencia de reiteración de estos ramets (Kuppers, 1989). La disponibilidad de agua dulce, y con ello la salinidad, y las características de los sedimentos, no sólo pueden mejorar significativamente el crecimiento de estas herbáceas (Karavas et al, 2005), sino también determinar la colonización diferencial (Glenn et al, 2006). En zonas con drenaje imperfecto y acumulación de agua dulce durante la estación lluviosa, predominan algunas especies de Cyperaceae (Medina et al, 1989;Chepstow-Lusty et al, 2003;Glenn et al, 2006), como en este caso R. polystachys en el sector NE, con menos aporte de sedimentos sueltos y presencia de suelos inorgánicos mejor desarrollados.…”

“…La disponibilidad de agua dulce, y con ello la salinidad, y las características de los sedimentos, no sólo pueden mejorar significativamente el crecimiento de estas herbáceas (Karavas et al, 2005), sino también determinar la colonización diferencial (Glenn et al, 2006). En zonas con drenaje imperfecto y acumulación de agua dulce durante la estación lluviosa, predominan algunas especies de Cyperaceae (Medina et al, 1989;Chepstow-Lusty et al, 2003;Glenn et al, 2006), como en este caso R. polystachys en el sector NE, con menos aporte de sedimentos sueltos y presencia de suelos inorgánicos mejor desarrollados. En zonas más salinas con mayor influencia de inundaciones, se registran diversas especies de Asteraceae (Bertness et al, 1992;Glenn et al, 2006), de forma análoga al sector SE, dominado por S. trilobata y con mayor inundación.…”