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Mangrove cover has declined significantly in recent years in tropical and subtropical areas around the world. Under this scenario, it is necessary to elaborate and implement tools that allow us to make estimations on their conservation status and improve their protection and support decision-making. This study developed an index using qualitative and quantitative data. The criterions used in the index were: (1) Remnant Vegetation Index, (2) Delphi Method Survey, and (3) Rapid Assessment Questionnaire. In turn, the weights of the criterions were defined using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP). Once the values of each criterion were obtained, the index was applied to 17 mangrove communities located in La Paz Bay, Mexico. Finally, according to their score, they were classified based on the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems. The results show that five communities were ranked in the category Minor Concern, eight in Little Threatened, one in Vulnerable, one in Endangered, and two were classified as Deficiency of Data. These results are slightly different from other studies in the region and validate this index as a proper method. Therefore, it could be applied to other sites, especially in areas with little information and/or scarce monetary resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this paper were to present a taxonomic list and determine the richness and local distribution of the species of the phylum Echinodermata at Bahia de La Paz. An exhaustive review of published material on this subject from the last century to 1995 was made, and complemented with an analysis of specimens collected in the zone and included in the UNAM and UABCS collections. After the taxonomic information was analyzed and validated, it was found that, at Bahia de La Paz, 92 echinoderm species have been recorded: 21 species of the class Asteroidea, 18 of the class Ophiuroidea, 26 of the class Echinoidea and 27 of the class Holothuroidea. This level of echinoderm species richness is one of the highest known for the Pacific coast of Mexico and the tropical eastern Pacific region; 41% of the species have been found only in one zone of the bay and just 7% inhabit the whole site. The high level of species richness of Bahia de La Paz might be explained as a combination of a large sampling effort in the zone, together with the incidental occurrence of several species, the locationof the bay (near a zoogeographical transition zone) and the variety of local habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]