Mangrove forests transition between land and ocean, bioremediation areas, refuge and conservation of species

Abstract

Mangrove forests provide environmental ecosystem services such as degradation of organic matter, and habitat for terrestrial and bird species. Lack of knowledge causes them to be undervalued and the change of land use due to tourist activities puts their conservation at risk. The objective of this work was to carry out a limnological analysis of phytoplankton biodiversity to contribute to the knowledge and characterization of the protected natural area: La Manzanilla. Applied Methodology: Sampling of environmental variables included: pH, temperature, conductivity, total suspended solids, and dissolved oxygen, determined with a multiparameter probe. The phytoplankton samples were recovered by trawling, with a phytoplankton net, later transferred to the laboratory for analysis. Paper contribution: The populations of Crocodylus acutus are permanently monitored by the Ejidal community. Crocodiles are free throughout the estuary. The most abundant species of mangrove was Rhizophora mangle. The water column recorded temperature of 25.3 ºC, electrical conductivity of 5.15 mS/cm2 , 2.96 ppm of oxygen dissolved and 2553 ppm of suspended solids. Low light intensity along the water column and the existing abundant organic matter represents a challenge for the survival of algae. Diversity percentages of phytoplankton were cyanobacteria 34.96%, diatoms 30.78%, chlorophytes 16.72%, Charophyta 6.73% and Euglenoids 1.33%.