What it is and why it threatens our mangroves

WHY IS CASUARIN CUTTING VITAL FOR THE SUBSISTENCE OF OUR MANGLARES?

DISCOVER THE REASONS WHY THIS SPECIES ENDANGER THESE ECOSYSTEMS

Mexico is a country known both for its cultural diversity and for the large number of plants, species and ecosystems they have and that allow them to be considered as megadiverse. Our country puts one of the largest mangrove expanses in the world. In Quintana Roo we have the privilege of having 4 mangrove tips. These are the White Mangrove, the Black, the Red and the Buttonhole.

These ecosystems they serve as a refuge, food source and growth areas for many species. It also acts as a barrier against hurricanes, storms, sea erosion in coastal ports, among other questions. This makes them a very important ecosystem for the area and is protected by institutions, public organizations and laws.

However, there are many situations that threaten their survival every day and are not always visible, so we are not informed about it. One of them is the existence in the mangroves of the species Casuarina equisetifolia and here we tell you what it is and why it threatens mangroves.

What is Casuarina?

The Casuarina Equisetifolia, also known as sea ​​pine, Australian pine or simply casuarina, is a evergreen tree which can reach up to 20 meters in height in our area, but in other places can reach up to 40 meters high.

This species it is often confused with a pine since their leaves are needle-shaped and their small fruits are very similar to the pineapples that these produce. At its roots Casuarina has nodules that help it fix nitrogen.

From the age of 4, Casuarina can produce many seeds. Its dispersion is favored by strong winds as by their shape they can easily rotate in air, but can also propagate through water.

Where do I believe?

The tree is native to the Andaman Islands in India, the maritime coasts from southern Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia, to the subtropical areas of Australia, Melanesia, Micronesia, the Philippines and Polynesia.

Like cultivated tree, it has a great diffusion in the canary archipelago, and has taken refuge in the islands of Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura. In Mexico this species is introduced in the seventies, with fine wood and ornamental and has been recorded in Logwood, State of Mexico, Oaxaca, Sinaloa, Yucatan, Zacatecas and in Quintana Roo.

La Casuarina lives in arid and semi-arid climates of tropical and subtropical areas In sandy areas and saline environments near the coast. It requires no maintenance and is resistant to strong winds, droughts and proximity to the sea. Although it prefers sandy and drained bases, they adapt to any type of soil, including alkaline.

How to identify the Casuarina?

Followed by Dra. Gabriela Mendoza González, professor of CONACYT, attached to the Faculty of Sciences UMDI-Sisal UNAM Campus Yucatán, “the Casuarina is a tree with exotic-invasive behavior of Australian and Southeast Asian origin, with very distinctive features. The bark of its trunk is rough and brown or light gray. Its cup is not very thick and its branches are set dark green leaves, hanging and in the shape of a needle (similar to those of pines) ”.

It is a tree 10 to 20 meters tall with long, thin branches and drooping tips that is very fast growing, successful reproduction and very tolerant of salinity so it supports these conditions generally found on the coast.

What is this species for?

Dra. Mendoza González explains that La Casuarina:

It is a plant that you have to use very widely for stabilize the movement of sand from moving coastal dunes. In some cases it has been used for reforest and conserve soils on beaches without knowing its invasive behavior. Because it is a fast-growing and highly invasive species that does not present natural enemies in the invaded areas, this species is able to disperse successfully in different coastal ecosystems such as mangroves with pores moved by the wind and the movement of pores of animals moved. and people. It is generally introduced into coastal ecosystems (including mangroves) due to anthropogenic activities.

Why is it a threat to the mangroves of Quintana Roo?

In Mexico this species is cataloged like exotic because it comes from a different eco-region, with other biological characteristics to the ecosystems we have in the country. Likewise, it is considered as invasive because its development negatively interferes with native species of Mexico, especially in coastal dune and mangrove ecosystems.

It is a tree that modifies environmental conditions of the place where it is located. Its cup radically alters the light that reaches the ground, and therefore the temperature. In addition, it generates a lot of leaf that alters soil chemistry, affecting their fertility and nutrient availability, preventing other plant species from germinating and growing around them. Moves to native vegetation and affects its structure and composition, so it represents a threat to native mangrove species and in general of coastal ecosystems.

We commented on Dra. Mendoza González. In the same way, we share that Casuarina:

• It prevents natural regeneration.
• Reduce biodiversity and the natural productivity of the ecosystem.
• It alters the geomorphology of the soil and the hydrodynamics of the ecosystem, affecting freshwater reserves.
• The thick layers that form its fallen leaves prevent the birds and mammals that live in these ecosystems from finding shelter and food.
• Due to its size and volume, the Casuarina captures a lot of light and nutrients, thus weakening all the species that surround it.

The colonization of Casuarina Equisetifolia occurs in the processes of disturbance of ecosystems, which is favored during the changes that occur within them.

Why is the felling of Casuarina necessary for the care of the mangrove ecosystem?

Dra. Gabriela Mendoza explained that:

Efforts to eradicate invasive species, such as Casuarina, are important to restore the natural dynamics of ecosystems and their biodiversity. The eradication of Casuarina in the mangroves, together with other restoration actions, would allow the recovery of natural water flows and the geomorphology of the ecosystem, which could be. Facilitate the resilience and restoration of mangroves.

That is why associations like Flora, Fauna and Culture of Mexico, AC which seek to protect the well-being of these ecosystems by taking actions to control and eradicate the Casuarina as part of a project to restore coastal dunes and mangroves.

What is Flora, Fauna and Culture of Mexico, AC?

Flora, Fauna and Culture of Mexico, AC It is a non – profit civil society organization that works for the Conservation of the natural and cultural heritage of Quintana Roo. This arose in 2002 as a response to the environmental and cultural problems generated by the accelerated urban and tourist development registered in our state, especially in Cancun, the Riviera Maya, Cozumel and Tulum.

In all its conservation, waste management and community welfare projects, they use education for sustainable development as a cross-cutting tool that helps them connect people to the planet. They also focus their efforts on strategies for the recovery of the different species of sea turtles that reach the shores of Quintana Roo, from the production of large volumes of native plants and trees for the reforestation of forests, mangroves and coastal dunes. of Quintana Roo.

What activities have you done in Cancun?

From 2008 until today, in alliance with CONANP, Grupo Xcaret and other public and private entities, Flora, Fauna and Culture of Mexico, AC has carried out the following restoration actions:

• Reforestation and rehabilitation of 71 hectares.
• Introduction of 386,487 propagules and reforestation of 26,000 red mangrove plants (Rhizophora mangle) and 2,000 copies of other native species
• Elimination of 6,300 trees of the exotic and invasive species, Casuarina equisetifolia.
• Participation in monitors to assess survival and collect samples for carbon capture measurement.
• Technical training and job creation for more than 50 people in the community of Leona Vicario.
• Collaboration in fieldwork with a research project on sea pans.

What is “Cozumel SIN Casuarina”?

“Cozumel SIN Casuarina” is a joint campaign carried out by the Technical Advisory and Coastal Studies (ATEC), Flora, Fauna and Culture of Mexico, AC (FFCM), the National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR) and the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas . (CONANP).

This is aimed at Raise awareness in the Cozumel community about the importance of eliminating Casuarina equisetifolia for the role it plays as an exotic and invasive species. As we have seen, this species severely affects beaches and mangroves, which are key ecosystems for the environmental, economic and social sustainability of this island.

With this campaign is sought remove approximately 600 copies of Casuarina equisetifolia and to inform the community of Cozumel about these works and about the problems that this species can become.

The campaign consists of disseminating informative content that invites reflection on a series of key messages that will be transmitted especially through digital media, but also through some traditional channels and media (television, radio, newspapers, among others). It also seeks to carry out actions and achieve success in terms of restoration in Cozumel, with emphasis on the control and eradication of Casuarina.

What about the people who can help “Cozumel SIN Casuarina” to alleviate this problem?

If you are interested in helping to reforest mangroves, you can summarize the “Cozumel SIN Casuarina” campaign by doing volunteer stays or supporting this cause to purchase symbolic products. Also, you can sign up to support the removal of Casuarina on the beaches and mangroves of Cozumel.

If you are interested in learning more about the topic visit the official website of Flora, Fauna and Culture of Mexico, AC y choose how to participate.

Mangrove ecosystems protect our coasts from many natural phenomena. In addition to being an extraordinary part of the landscape of Quintana Roo, they offer us a myriad of environmental benefits that we could not find anywhere else. Now that you know what cassowary is and why it threatens our mangroves, be sure to get involved in initiatives that help our ecosystems.

What do you think of the approach of the mangroves of Quintana Roo? Visit our blog Mangroves, one of our most valuable treasures and find out more about these ecosystems that enrich the landscape of our state.