Mortality and Natural Regeneration of Mangroves in the Eastern Gulf of California: A Comparison Between Strong and Weak ENSO Events

Mangrove wetlands in northwestern Mexico have been highlighted due to their ecological relevance and ecosystem services. This study evaluated the mortality and natural regeneration of mangroves located in six coastal lagoons in Sinaloa, considering five plots each (400 m2), during a warm–strong (2015–2016) and cold–weak (2017–2018) El Niño–Southern Oscillation. The highest mean mortality was recorded in Huizache–Caimanero—the southern coastal lagoon—during the second stage (390 stems ha−1; 22% corresponding to logging). While an increasing latitudinal (north–south) mortality trend was observed, differences between sites and stages were not statistically significant. Natural recovery was also observed due to higher abundance of seedlings, e.g., the largest increase from one stage to another was recorded in Santa María–La Reforma. Mortality and seedling regeneration are discussed in this study, particularly in relation to anthropogenic stressors, logging, and climate variability.