PERUVIAN MANGROVES IN THE COASTAL ENVIRON MENT OF THE EASTERN PACIFIC- ABIOTIC AND BIONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS

As a consequence of the cold Humboldt (or Peru) current, the Peruvian mangroves, the southernmost on the South American Pacific coast, repre sent a particular latitudinal ecotone. The various types of mangroves are considered taking into account environmental factors such as the c limatic and edaphic parameters, the specific composition of the mangro ve-trees, and their development. Then they are compared to the other m angroves of the eastern Pacific and their distinguishing features are described. This work contributes to the knowledge of the macrobenthic faunal and floral communities associated with the mangroves sensu stri cto, with the sediment beds of sand and mud on which they grow, and wi th the biota developing behind the mangrove zone. The regional literat ure is also drawn upon. An overall scheme is proposed in which to cons ider zonation and the composition of eastern Pacific mangrove communit ies. It is hoped that this will serve as a basis for future, more deta iled work on these communities, which remain poorly known bionomically .