4. Current Status of Mangrove Wetlands in Sinaloa: A Biological Corridor Along the Eastern Margin of the Gulf of California, México

The state of Sinaloa, located in northwestern Mexico, possesses significant mangrove coverage (ranked fourth in this country), which can be considered a biological corridor because of its ecological relevance for many resident and migratory species. Several ecosystem services are provided by mangrove wetlands; however, diverse drivers of change, mainly anthropogenic stressors, e.g. urban development, pollution, agricultural and aquaculture activities, have modified this large ecosystem during the last decades. It has been reported that Sinaloa has lost more than 5000 ha since 1985, yet the impacts on mangrove structure and functioning are still poorly understood. Furthermore, the frequency and intensity of climate phenomena like “El Niño” events might impact the phenology of mangroves in this region and deserve further studies. Bioaccumulation of contaminants, land cover change, aquaculture, hydrological changes, low and increasing temperature conditions and the impact of hurricanes on mangroves are discussed in this chapter in addition to recommendations for future studies, e.g. the impact of plagues and phytopathogens on mangroves in Sinaloa.