Southern North America: Southeastern Mexico

https://www.worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/nt1437

It has been estimated that the mangroves surrounding Laguna de Términos, part of this ecoregion,
receive at least 33% of the population of migrant birds that follow the Mississippi route
(SEMARNAP 1997), another fact that gives special importance to this place as a natural refuge.
Mangroves are also recognized as good soil retainers (Rzedowski 1988), and this ecoregion is not
exempt from this biologically important feature. The state of Tabasco, Mexico, which this
mangrove ecoregion is within, holds the largest share of aquatic vegetation in the country (Flores-
Villela & Gerez 1988). Associations of aquatic plants are recognized as one of the most
representative ecosystems of Mexico (INIREB 1986). Besides their importance as a unique habitat
and the extraordinary display of animal species that inhabits them, mangroves constitute a natural
refuge for diverse species of aquatic birds, as they harbor many aquatic organisms on which birds
feed (e.g. oysters, crabs, invertebrate larvae, etc.).

Description
Location and General Description
Usumacinta mangrove ecoregion is located in the state of Tabasco, Mexico. The delta of the rivers
Usumacinta and Grijalva delineates the mangrove habitat as well as other hydrophyllic
communities. Soils are deep, very acidic, and rich in organic matter; this, together with their clay-
like nature, makes them among the most productive soils in the country (López-Hernández &
Pérez-López 1993). The climate is warm-humid with abundant rains in summer, and this mangrove
ecoregion is one of the wettest, with 1,600 mm annually, in the area. Due to its climatic and
biologic characteristics, Usumacinta mangroves and the nearby floodlands are considered the
most important wetlands of the country (SEMARNAP 1997). The area is situated in a vast plateau
with occasional flood plain formations. The coastal plains form part of the Grijalva-Usumacinta
fluvial system, which constitutes Mexico's biggest discharge of freshwater into the ocean
(SEMARNAP 1997). Mangroves carry clay-mud sediments due to the influence of the Usumacinta-
Grijalva current. Intrusions of salt water during the dry season allow mangroves to form up to 30
km inland.

The vegetation is established on top of the fluvial plain and on soils with very high organic matter
content. Red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), white mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa), and black
mangrove (Avicennia germinans) are the key species in the community, and they are associated
with Dalbergia brownii scrubs as well as with other hydrophyllic communities formed by
Acoelloraphe wrightii or Sabal mexicana palm trees (Rzedowski 1988). As in most mangroves,
herbaceous associations are not abundant in these communities because they are intolerant to
permanent floods (Lot et al. 1993).

Biodiversity Features
It has been estimated that the mangroves surrounding Laguna de Términos, of this ecoregion
receive at least 33% of the population of migrant birds that follow the Mississippi route
(SEMARNAP 1997), another fact that gives special importance to this place as a natural refuge.
Mangroves are also recognized as good soil retainers (Rzedowski 1988), and this ecoregion is not
exempt from this biologically important feature. The area contains 374 species of plants, 60
species of fish, 26 amphibians, 85 reptiles, 279 birds, and 134 mammals. Along with the aquatic
vegetation that is present in Laguna de Términos, the area contains 1,468 species of aquatic and
terrestrial organisms, of which 30 are endemic to Mexico. Moreover, Laguna de Términos holds
nearly 90 endangered species. The diverse geomorphological features of Usumacinta mangroves
allow the formation of a complex hydrological system of marshes, lagoons, and other water bodies
that together share most of the aquatic species of the ecoregion. The area is highly important as a
refuge for the manatee (Trichechus manatus), an endangered species.

Black hawk-eagle (Spizaetus tyrannus), masked duck (Oxyura dominica), king vulture
(Sarcoramphus papa) and crane hawk (Geranospiza caerulescens) are all resident species that are
considered rare according to the IUCN red list. Cacomistle (Bassariscus sumichrasti), Underwood's
long-tongued bat (Hylonycteris underwoodi), Davis' round-eared bat (Tonatia evotis) and Mexican
agouti (Dasyprocta mexicana) are mammals found in this mangrove ecoregion.

Current Status
Mangroves have been gradually eliminated in this ecoregion, due to their importance as a source
of food and timber for local villagers (López-Hernández & Pérez-López 1993). It is estimated that
only 13.5% of the area encompassed by the mangroves and nearby habitats remain intact. The
Usumacinta mangrove ecoregion forms part of the Biosphere Reserve of Pantanos de Centla,
which was established in 1992, and were designated as a wetland of international importance
under the RAMSAR convention in 1995 (Frazier 1999). Federal protection has begun, and a
management plan for the area is currently being undertaken to prevent accelerated habitat loss,
and to introduce the idea of sustainable natural resource use in such a rich and biologically diverse
ecoregion; one of the most important wetlands in Mexico.

Types and Severity of Threats

Exploitation of local fisheries and of mangrove trees is the major threat to the habitat. This is the
primary reason for high numbers of species in danger of extinction, in the state of Tabasco.
Habitat fragmentation and destruction are bound to continue, and with them, a major loss of
animal species of great importance. The area contains 19 species of threatened animals, as well as
5 that are considered rare species. Moreover, the mangroves and adjacent habitats are home to
most of the individuals of storks (Jabiru mycteria) that survive in Mexico, and are the preferred
breeding place of the endangered Morelet’s crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii).

Long-term threats to the region include overexploitation of resources, continuous industrial

pollution of the waters due to human overpopulation, oil extraction, and the possible construction
of building a hydroelectric plant that would impact a large part of the aquatic habitat. According to
IUCN (Scott & Carbonell 1986), the Gulf Coast contains the largest area of wetlands in North
America.