Structural Characteristics and Zonation Pattern of Mangroves from a Ramsar Site, on the South West Coast of India

S. Sreelekshmi; Rani Varghese; Philomina Joseph; C. M. Preethy; S. Bijoy Nandan

doi:10.36808/if/2017/v143i2/113582

Structural Characteristics and Zonation Pattern of Mangroves from a Ramsar Site, on the South West Coast of India

Authors

S. Sreelekshmi Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, School of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin, Kerala
Rani Varghese Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, School of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin, Kerala
Philomina Joseph Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, School of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin, Kerala
C. M. Preethy Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, School of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin, Kerala
S. Bijoy Nandan Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, School of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin, Kerala

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36808/if/2017/v143i2/113582

Keywords:

Ashtamudi, Kayamkulam, Multivariate Analysis, Tree Density, Mangroves.

Abstract

The present investigation on the zonation pattern and different tree structural variables of mangrove patches in the Ashtamudi and Kayamkulam wetland system on the south west coast of India revealed 15 species of mangroves represented by 11 genera and 8 families. Of which, Ceriops tagal and Avicennia alba, two rare species of Kerala, was found restricted to the study area. The average tree density varied between 19386 no.ha^-1 to 29 no.ha^-1. Using multivariate analysis based on species composition and tree density, the mangrove sites can be subdivided into five distinct groups that showed characteristic zonation pattern. Group 1, 2 and 3 comprised of the sites dominated with Avicennia marina, Avicennia officinalis and Rhizophora mucronata. Group 4, represented by a single site, dominated by Excoecaria agallocha reflected conditions typical of landward locations, while the site which showed the presence of the once reportedly extinct mangrove species, Ceriops tagal comprised Group 5. Proximity to land or sea and freshwater input were found to be the governing factors of the observed zonation.

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