310
F.J. Flores Verdugo eta!.
phora harrisonni has only been reported for the Carretas-Pereyra lagoon
(Rico-Gray 1981). Common algal associates are five species of the red alga
Bostrychia as well as Chaetomorpha antennina. Mangroves occasionally
also occur mixed with forested freshwater wetland composed of Pachira
acuatica ("zapot6n").
The Teacapan - Agua Brava - Marismas Nacionales mangrove complex
represents the largest mangrove area (1 ,500 km 2 ) at the Pacific coast of
Mexico and Central America. While the black mangrove (A. germinans)
dominates in Teacapan, the white mangrove (L. racemosa) prevails in Agua
Brava. Mangrove density can be as high as 3,203 trees ha- 1 and basal areas
range from 14 to 29.6m 2 ha- 1 • High concentrations of humic substances
(>150mg l- 1 ), which add a reddish color to the water, are derived from
mangroves detritus during the wet season (Flores-Verdugo et al. 1992).
Like San Blas (100km 2 ), Chantuto-Panzacola-El Huayate (350km 2 ) is a
complex system of mangroves and freshwater wetlands with high faunal
richness. Tall mangrove trees (up to 30m), high stem density (1,722ha- 1 )
and basal area ( 41.7 m 2 ha- 1 ) warrant elevated monthly litter production
(362-509 g dry wt. m- 2 ; Flores-Verdugo et al. 1992; Contreras-Espinosa
1993). Macrophytes, such as Nymphae blanda, Cabomba sp., Pistia stratiotes, Salvinia sp., Azolla sp., Eichornia crassipes, and Neptunia sp. are common and cover extensive areas during the rainy season. The high productivity sustains important fisheries resources. Two species of river
crocodiles ( Crocrodylus acutus) and Caiman crocrodylus, the latter endemic to Chiapas, occur in the mangroves and endangered species, like the
ocelot Felis pardalis, the margay Felis wiedii, and the jaguar Felis onca have
been observed in several mangrove forests (Flores-Verdugo et al. 1992).
Large concentrations of aquatic bird species (165 in Huizache-Caimanero; Contreras-Espinosa 1993), like the great blue heron (Ardea herodias),
the wood stork (Mycteria americana), the roseate spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja),
the egret (Egretta spp.), the brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis), the
white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhyncus), and the osprey (Pandion haliaetus), are common components in mangroves and freshwater wetlands of
Sinaloa, Nayarit, and Chiapas (Olmstead 1993). About 80% of Pacific
migratory shore bird populations concentrate in the San Blas mangroves
and freshwater wetlands during the winter.
F.J. Flores Verdugo eta!.
phora harrisonni has only been reported for the Carretas-Pereyra lagoon
(Rico-Gray 1981). Common algal associates are five species of the red alga
Bostrychia as well as Chaetomorpha antennina. Mangroves occasionally
also occur mixed with forested freshwater wetland composed of Pachira
acuatica ("zapot6n").
The Teacapan - Agua Brava - Marismas Nacionales mangrove complex
represents the largest mangrove area (1 ,500 km 2 ) at the Pacific coast of
Mexico and Central America. While the black mangrove (A. germinans)
dominates in Teacapan, the white mangrove (L. racemosa) prevails in Agua
Brava. Mangrove density can be as high as 3,203 trees ha- 1 and basal areas
range from 14 to 29.6m 2 ha- 1 • High concentrations of humic substances
(>150mg l- 1 ), which add a reddish color to the water, are derived from
mangroves detritus during the wet season (Flores-Verdugo et al. 1992).
Like San Blas (100km 2 ), Chantuto-Panzacola-El Huayate (350km 2 ) is a
complex system of mangroves and freshwater wetlands with high faunal
richness. Tall mangrove trees (up to 30m), high stem density (1,722ha- 1 )
and basal area ( 41.7 m 2 ha- 1 ) warrant elevated monthly litter production
(362-509 g dry wt. m- 2 ; Flores-Verdugo et al. 1992; Contreras-Espinosa
1993). Macrophytes, such as Nymphae blanda, Cabomba sp., Pistia stratiotes, Salvinia sp., Azolla sp., Eichornia crassipes, and Neptunia sp. are common and cover extensive areas during the rainy season. The high productivity sustains important fisheries resources. Two species of river
crocodiles ( Crocrodylus acutus) and Caiman crocrodylus, the latter endemic to Chiapas, occur in the mangroves and endangered species, like the
ocelot Felis pardalis, the margay Felis wiedii, and the jaguar Felis onca have
been observed in several mangrove forests (Flores-Verdugo et al. 1992).
Large concentrations of aquatic bird species (165 in Huizache-Caimanero; Contreras-Espinosa 1993), like the great blue heron (Ardea herodias),
the wood stork (Mycteria americana), the roseate spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja),
the egret (Egretta spp.), the brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis), the
white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhyncus), and the osprey (Pandion haliaetus), are common components in mangroves and freshwater wetlands of
Sinaloa, Nayarit, and Chiapas (Olmstead 1993). About 80% of Pacific
migratory shore bird populations concentrate in the San Blas mangroves
and freshwater wetlands during the winter.