Diagnosis of mangrove degraded areas and proposals for ecological restoration in the state of Guerrero, Mexico

Abstract

The increase in human activities has changed the hydrology of estuarine and lagoon systems in coastal areas, resulting in the degradation of mangrove forests. The objective was to identify and document the degradation of a mangrove area with structural damage, designing a methodological technical proposal to identify and determine the factors that cause degradation, including ecological restoration actions to be implemented in the affected area in the Tila estuary, Marquelia Municipality, Guerrero, Mexico. Qualitative methodology and participant observation techniques were used in the affected mangrove area, as well as the photographic technique for collecting qualitative evidence, and interviews with key representatives who intervened in the process of identifying the problem, proposing the technical proposal of restoration of the affected area. Species of Rhizophora mangle, Laguncularia racemosa and Conocarpus erectus affected in an area of 15 hectares of mangrove were identified. The National Forestry Commission was recommended to take action to identify the cause of mangrove mortality and to apply restoration techniques. It is concluded that the recommendations and methodological proposal to identify mangrove mortality were partially addressed, there was low monitoring of the site restoration process and consequently little effectiveness in the process of ecological engineering techniques.