Mangrove primary production at El Conchalito Estuary in la Paz Bay (Baja California Sur, Mexico).

Abstract

The structure, litterfall production, and primary production of the mangrove stand at El Conchalito Estuary in La Paz Bay (Baja california Sur, Mexico) were studied during two annual cycles (1998-2000). The mangrove stand is composed of white mangrove Laguncularia racemosa (L), red mangrove Rhizophora mangle L, and black mangrove Avicennia germinans (L). The dominant physiognomy of the stand corresponded to fringe mangrove, characterized by a mean density of 2960 ind ha -1 , height of 3.1 m, basal area of 10.2 m -2 ha -1 , 2 species in 0.1 ha, and complexity index of 2.9. Annual estimated litterfall production was 805 g dry wt m -2 for L. racemosa, 509 g dry wt m -2 for R. mangle, and 444 g dry wt m -2 for A. germinans. Maximum primary productivity for the first two species was estimated between 1.8 and 3.5 t C ha -1 yr -1 . The pattern of litterfall production showed a maximum rate at the end of the rainy season, during September and October.