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.

The mangrove ecosystem is integrated mainly by halophytes plants that grow on coastal zones of tropical and subtropical regions. This ecosystem provides direct and indirect services for human wellbeing such as food, wood, climate regulation, natural hazard protection, recreation and aesthetic values. However, academic research indicates that more than 35% of world's mangrove coverage has been lost in the past three decades. The primary drivers of change of cover lost are aquaculture activities and development of urban infrastructure. The objective of this work was to conduct an exploratory assessment of the impacts of urbanization on mangrove communities located in the city of La Paz, Mexico using the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response framework (DPSIR). The assessment was complemented by a Delphi survey to incorporate information obtained from experts and stakeholders. The results indicated that the most important pressing factors on mangrove communities were: tourism, urban growth and waste. However, the data on mangrove cover and conservation status show that the overall situation of mangroves of mangroves in La Paz is "barely adequate," with communities showing positive and adverse conditions. It is estimated that mangrove communities classified as "Vulnerable" and "Endangered" probably do not generate the same ecosystem services as mangroves classified under the "Near Threatened" and "Least Concern" categories. Protection actions as protected areas, environmental laws, and ecological restoration have helped in the conservation of mangroves in the study area. This work concludes that DPSIR framework is a handy tool to analyze in the first instance the conditions of the mangroves and may be replicable in other regions that have this ecosystem, even in places with little scientific research.