Abstract

RODRIGUEZ-ZUNIGA, María Teresa; RAMIREZ-GARCIA, Pedro  and  GUTIERREZ-GRANADOS, Gabriel. Effects of uncontrolled timber extraction on community and size structure of mangroves of Alvarado, Veracruz, Mexico. Bol. Soc. Bot. Méx [online]. 2011, n.89, pp.107-113. ISSN 0366-2128.

We analyzed the effects of uncontrolled timber extraction on community and diameter-size of mangroves in Alvarado. We sampled 15 sites, gathering data on floristic composition, height, and basal area. Changes in diameter-size were evaluated through the size-distribution analysis. Avicennia germinans, Laguncularia racemosa, and Rhizophora mangle were present in the area. Structure parameters were similar to others documented in similar latitudes in Mexico, but the sites under human influence had shifts in species dominance. The analysis of diameter-size distributions indicated that L. racemosa was underrepresented due to logging, mainly of individuals < 10 cm in diameter. We suggest that current extraction trends threaten the distribution of L. racemosa.

Keywords : Avicennia germinans; diameter-size categories; Laguncularia racemosa; Rhizophora mangle; timber extraction.