Zonation in Mangrove and Salt Marsh Vegetation at Laguna de Mecoacan, Mexico

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Abstract
Plant zonation and distribution of two mangrove (Avicennia germinans and Rhizophora mangle) and three salt marsh species (Batis maritima, Spartina spartinae, and Pithecellobium lanceolatum) were studied along two transects with contrasting degrees of disturbance, but with corresponding landforms. In the first, undisturbed transect, soil samples were collected during the dry, low water level season and analyzed for physico-chemical characteristics. These changes continuously with relief, whereas the relation between cover and height of A. germinans and relief changed in a discrete manner. During the wet, high water level season, variation in salinity was unrelated to relief. In the second, disturbed transect, B. maritima occupies the mudflat from which A. germinans trees were removed by clear-cutting at least 16 years ago. Although a physiological response might account for the low Avicennia cover and height in the hinterland, Batis is probably excluded by Avicennia from the mudflat, the result being the observed zonation.