Comparative analysis between the mangrove swamps of the Caribbean and those of the State of Guerrero (Mexico)

Abstract

del Soco and Laguna de Oviedo. With the plant samples taken in the above mentioned sites, we created a synthetic table out of 16 phytosociological tables belonging to 6 original associations and 9 associations obtained from the bibliographical study. With the purpose of obtaining a similarity gradient (matching) between the associations under study, we carried out a statistical analysis (clustering, principal component analysis and Jaccard similarity/dissimilarity analysis). Our phytosociological approach relied on criteria such as biogreography and dynamic-catenal contact. Our sampling analysis has led us to propose the following syntaxa: Machaerio lunati-Rhizophoretum manglis; Rhabdadenio biflorae-Laguncularietum racemosae; Sthalio monospermae-Laguncularietum racemosae; Lonchocarpo pycnifolii-Conocarpetum erecatae; Lonchocarpo sericeiLaguncularietum racemosae; Crataevo tapiae-Conocarpetum erectae. We also propose a new alliance and a change of status: Phyllantho elsiae-Laguncurion racemosae; Dalbergio-Rhizophorion manglis (Borhidi 1991) status novo. The mangrove swamps of Central America are arranged in three vegetation bands corresponding to different plant associations. The analysis of the three sampled area not only revealed the degradation of the vegetation but also the causative factors.

Distribution patterns of endemic flora to define hotspots on Hispaniola

“…The high biodiversity found in the mountains decreases in low-lying areas due to the impact of farming communities (Aitken, 2012), which has caused a deterioration in the local ecosystems. This includes the mangrove (Cano, Cano-Ortiz, Veloz Ramirez, Alatorre, and Otero, 2012), with a decline in the populations of Rhizophora mangle L., and supports the thesis of Takayama, Tamura, Tateishi, Webb, and Kajita (2013) regarding the influence of the American continent as a geographic barrier to the dispersion of the propagules of Rhizophora towards the Pacific. Mangrove forests are being altered due to their improper use as an energy source by the local population.…”

Vegetation of the dry bioclimatic areas in the Dominican Republic

“…Capparis cynophallophora L. Figure 5) in floodable areas with the mangrove swamp of Rhabdadenio biflori-Laguncularietum racemosae (Cano et al 2012c) and with the pine trees of Leptogono buchii -Pinetum occcidentalis, an association distributed in area A 3 of biogeographic sector 2.4 (Cano et al 2011). …”

“…To the south of the central mountain range lies the San Juan river valley, dominated by areas of alluvial soil, sandy terraces, silt, and Miocene and Pliocene limestones; this connects with areas of cliffs overlooking the Caribbean, which extend from Bani and Azua towards Barahona. Finally, we name a well-represented unit in Procurrente de Barahona (Jarágua National Park), with frequent presence of terraces and serrated limestone rocks rising steeply from the sea, and various coastal swamps -such as those in Oviedo -containing mangrove swamps from the associations Rhabdadenio biflori -Laguncularietum racemosae and Lonchocarpo pycnophylli-Conocarpetum erecti (Cano et al 2012c). …”

Study of the vegetation in the Multiple Use Natural Reserve of Monterrico (Guatemala)

“…The geographically nearest phytosociological studies dealing with this kind of vegetation are those carried out by Peinado et al (1994aPeinado et al ( , 1994bPeinado et al ( , 1995aPeinado et al ( , 1995bPeinado et al ( , 1997Peinado et al ( , 2005Peinado et al ( , 2006Peinado et al ( , 2008Peinado et al ( , 2011 on the Pacific coast (USA and Mexico) and a number of others in Mexico (Delgadillo et al 1992;Barber et al 2001;Cano et al 2012), the Antilles (Foucault 1981), Cuba (Samek & Moncada 1971;Borhidi et al 1979Borhidi et al , 1983Borhidi 1987Borhidi , 1991Borhidi , 1996Reyes & Acosta 2003, 2007a, 2007b, Brazil (Bolò s et al 1991), Colombia (Cuatrecasas 1934(Cuatrecasas , 1958Cortés-Castillo & RangelChurio 2011) and Peru, Paraguay, Bolivia and Venezuela (Galán de Mera & Navarro 1992;Galán de Mera 1995, 2001Galán de Mera & Linares Perea 2008).…”