Anthropization in the coastal zone associated with Mexican mangroves (2005–2015)

The present work had the goal of assessing anthropization of mangroves in Mexico during the 2005–2015 period. We modified the Relative Integrated Anthropization Index (INRA in its Spanish acronym) method developed by Martínez-Dueñaz (Intrópica: 37–46, 2010) for its use in Mexico. The maps of the Mexican Mangrove Monitoring System of the National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity (SMMM CONABIO in its Spanish acronym) for the years 2005, 2010, and 2015 were classified into 10 land use categories and 21 subcategories. The relative anthropization values were obtained for subcategories and classes in the input maps through consultation with mangrove specialists and the results were integrated to calculate the INRA values in 500 m² units. Our results showed an increase in the surface of most anthropic categories and a sustained increment of the mean INRA values at the national level.