Fragmentation in the Environmental System of the Ecological Reserves in the Riparian Mangroves of Arroyo Moreno-Tembladeras Wetlands, Veracruz Mexico

Landscape fragmentation is a dynamic process with multiple effects. In addition to reducing the area of priority ecosystems such as mangroves, it also generates alterations in ecological functions and environmental processes, with significant socioeconomic and ecological consequences. The objective of this research was to determine the impact of anthropic development on landscape fragmentation within the Environmental System (ES) that includes the Arroyo Moreno Ecological Reserve (REAM) and the Tembladeras-Laguna Olmeca Ecological Reserve (RETLO), located in central Veracruz Mexico. Fragstats V4.3 Beta software was used to analyze landscape metrics at the patch, class, and landscape levels, using nine indicator metrics for assessing fragmentation. The analysis of the metrics at the three levels showed a reduction in the total area for some classes such as Mangrove (MG), Water Bodies (WB), and Agricultural and Livestock (AL). Class-level metrics such as total area, percentage of landscape, and number of patches showed greater differences for some classes between 2001 and 2023. However, some values increased in 2015. However, this research is considered the first study conducted in the area to comprehensively use a set of landscape metrics at three organizational levels, offering a more accurate description of the status of priority ecosystems (RAMSAR sites) such as the wetlands of the coastal zone of Veracruz. It also demonstrated the importance of the constantly expanding anthropic development in the study area over the last 20 years and the potential pressure it exerts on biodiversity conservation sites such as wetlands.