Abstract

HERRERA SILVEIRA, Jorge A. et al. Carbon dynamics (stocks and fluxes) in mangroves of Mexico. Terra Latinoam [online]. 2016, vol.34, n.1, pp.61-72. ISSN 2395-8030.

The wide coverage of Mexican mangroves, make them to be positioned in the fourth place worldwide. Their multiple ecosystem services are recognized but also show high rates of deforestation. Assessments elsewhere in the world highlight the role that mangroves has in the carbon cycle, mainly as storages of organic carbon (Corg) in sediment, and exporters of dissolved and particulate Corg. However, to know how mangroves contribute to local, regional and country level strategies such as Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+), it is essential to determine Corg storages as baseline emissions. In this research, an extensive literature review was carried out about stocks and fluxes of carbon in mangroves of Mexico through different sources of information. From all studies (over 200), only 48 contained data, or useful information, to make a review on the knowledge about stocks and fluxes of Corg in the mangroves of Mexico. Regionally, the Central Pacific zone counted with less information and the Yucatan Peninsula is where more studies were found. The higher total storages are located in the Gulf of Mexico and the mangroves of riverine type (> 1200 Mg C ha-1). Less information exists about fluxes of Corg, mostly related to litter fall. In the South Pacific zone and in the riverine mangroves higher values were observed. The extent and variability of conditions of Mexico mangroves are an opportunity for develop multiple research topics, emphasizing the characterization of landscapes and cover local maps related with water variables (hydroperiod), land (topography) and microbiological processes. The extent and distribution of mangroves in Mexico is an opportunity to develop research groups at the regional scale, and approach consensual studies under a methodological strategy interoperable.

Keywords : environmental services; mangroves deforestation; soil organic carbon.

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