Forest structure, productivity and species phenology of mangroves in the La Mancha lagoon in the Atlantic coast of Mexico

We described, through a vegetation profile, the forest structure (density, basal area, tree height, and species composition), the productivity dynamics (based on litterfall) and the species phenology of distinct physiognomic types of mangroves in three locations of the La Mancha lagoon system in Veracruz, Mexico, during a complete annual cycle. We also evaluated the microtopography and ground water salinity along the profile and their relationship with forest structure and productivity. The South location showed four physiognomic types, whose forest attributes decreased as they were farther from the lagoon shore. Productivity and environment variables significantly varied among these physiognomic types. The Center location had two physiognomic types; there were significant differences in productivity and microtopography among these types, but not in salinity. The North location included two fragments of a basin forest type, and a pasture among them; productivity significantly varied among these forests, but microtopography and salinity were statistically similar. All study sites showed the following behavior: (1) as forest structure decreased, productivity also decreased and the dominant species changed. (2) As water salinity decreased, species dominance changed and productivity increased. Reproductive structures showed a notorious seasonality during the year in all species, except in R. mangle , which showed a permanent flower and propagules production. A. germinans reproduced only in the rainy season (August and September), because of their life history characteristics, whereas L. racemosa reproduced during the months of February and March as a response of the direct entrance of the water discharges, enriched with nutrients, that come from the sugar cane and rice crops. The South location was a relatively well conserved area, whereas the two other sites showed evidences of anthropic disturbances.