On the reliability of the data of the extent of mangroves: A case study in Mexico

We analyze part of the available information on the extent of mangroves and discuss the consistency of the records, because of the importance of mangrove cover at both a global and local scale and because of the differences among time-series figures and estimated trends, with special emphasis on the mangroves in Mexico. The analysis includes the most important scientific and technical reports on the surface of this cover on a national scale. The methods reported in literature were compared when possible, because many cases were poorly described and the accuracy of the data was not indicated. Finally we discuss the possible implications of using the statistics of the extent of the mangroves on mangrove deforestation rates estimated for Mexico when these data have a high degree of uncertainty.