Assessment of the Mangrove Ecosystem at São Luis, Maranhão, Brazil

The status of the mangrove ecosystem on the eastern part of the island of São Luis, Maranhão, Brazil, was assessed during summer and fall of 2005 by a scientific team. The mangroves on the study site cover an area of approximately 926 hectares. They are located in the northeastern Brazilian States of Maranhão, Pará, and Amapá, which represent the largest concentration of mangrove forests in the world. The scientific team compiled baseline information that was used to forecast trends in the temporal trajectory of the São Luis mangrove ecosystem; information included abiotic and biotic as well as socio-economic indicators. The team then developed an assessment matrix to formulate future scenarios of impacts on the mangrove ecosystem. The mangrove ecosystem of the study area was found to be subjected to abiotic, biotic and socio-economic stressors with varying degrees of magnitude. Human population growth, environmental awareness and local community support, among other considerations, should be part of any long-term strategy for a sustainable mangrove ecosystem and its associated resources.