Forest structure of the mangrove zone of the Coyuca de Benítez lagoon, Guerrero state

Abstract

Mangroves are a forest resource of great importance in the wetlands, by its diversity and timber structure, as for the ecological values, socio-economic and environmental benefits that represent. Its composition depends on environmental factors, soil conditions, anthropogenic action and the ability to interact among themselves to share a space. For the state of Guerrero there are only records that indicate areas of distribution of mangrove forests and description of species. The objective was to know the ecological importance of the mangrove that is attached to the communities of El Carrizal and Playa Azul, at Coyuca de Benítez municipality, Guerrero State, through their density and relative abundance, diversity and timber volume. From July to December 2016, the structural composition of the mangrove vegetation was obtained, from 10 units of 10 ×10 m (100 m²) with a sampling intensity of 4 %. Nine forest species were identified in the sampling area associated with the mangrove ecosystem. A total volume of 10.30 m³ total tree roll was obtained, Laguncularia racemosa species (the white mangrove) having the largest volume of 8.05 m³ total tree roll, obtaining for the total area of the wetland zone a total volume of 218.92 m³ total tree roll. This research was able to know the structural composition of the flora species in the study area, determining the ecological importance of the mangrove represented by L. racemosa, associating it as an alternative for conservation in the study area.