Dispersion and recruitment of three mangrove species in the tropical area of the Gulf of Mexico

Mangroves from the Gulf Coast region are important wood resources that have been intensively exploited, thus affecting their ecological stability. The present research delves into the dynamics of the establishment of three ma ngrove species. Variables analyzed were recruitment, dispersion, viviparus rate, and the daily rate of seedlings survival. The dominant species were L aguncularia racemosa (L.) Gaertn [900 individuals/hectare] and Avicennia ge rminans (L.)[767 ind/ha], showing a recruitment at the intertidal level and under high illumination conditions of 14+/-4 and 1+/-0.3 ind/m2, respectiv ely. The L. racemosa viviparous rate in its natural environment was 41-51% with a survival of 20 to 30% during a 157 day experimental period, contrast ing with the performance of A. germinans (0% survival at 80 days).