Gallery forest and riparian ecosystem health

Abstract

Gallery forests (GF), also known as riparian vegetation, develop on the edges of rivers and streams; they are part of the transition ecosystems between terrestrial and aquatic habitats and fulfill essential functions in the protection of ecosystems, provide goods and services for biota and human well-being. For these issues, the subject of the health of GF is of growing interest: in the scientific literature they are studied through various expressions and approaches, which generates confusion in its interpretation. The objectives of this work were: i) analyze the scientific terms associated with the health of GF, to clarify its meaning and scope and ii) expose the scientific evidence in the experience of Mexico, of the relationship: health of the riparian ecosystem (RE) and invasive plant species. For this, an exhaustive information search was made on the subject, the results of which indicated several concepts with different criteria and purposes. In this work, precise definitions on the health of GF and RE are proposed. Finally, the scientific evidence of the effects generated by some invasive plants such as Arundo donax L. (carrizo) and Ricinus communis L. (ricino), in the health of the GF and RE of Mexico is exposed. The health of the GF influences that of the RE, and this one in that of human beings and their well-being, for which it is necessary a greater understanding of RE is to promote their conservation.