*Article* **A Practical Index to Estimate Mangrove Conservation Status: The Forests from La Paz Bay, Mexico as a Case Study**

**Giovanni Ávila-Flores 1, Judith Juárez-Mancilla 2, Gustavo Hinojosa-Arango 3,\*, Plácido Cruz-Chávez 2, Juan Manuel <sup>L</sup>ópez-Vivas 1 and Oscar Arizpe-Covarrubias 1**


Received: 30 November 2019; Accepted: 19 January 2020; Published: 23 January 2020

**Abstract:** 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.

**Keywords:** AHP; Delphi Method; GIS; MCDA; Sustainable Development; Wetlands
