Structure and species distribution in Coringa mangrove forest, Godavari Delta, Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

Coringa mangrove forest is located in the Godavari delta, Andhra Pradesh, India. The mangrove community consisted of more than 13 species of mangrove and other plants in the present study area. The following three dominant mangrove plants, Avicennia marina, Excoecaria agallocha and Sonneratia apetala were found to be present on the banks of a major channel of the Godavari river running through the forest. The structure and species distribution of mangrove, in the Channel Nagathana Kalava has been described. The area behind the belt consisting of Acanthus ilicifolius and Myriostachya wightiana is generally colonized by E. agallocha and A. marina. The zone has been called the Avicennia and Excoecaria zone. Adjacent to this zone species like Aegiceras corniculatum and A. officinalis were the common species. In the flat clayey soil, Suaeda maritima was found to grow. In areas of high elevation, devoid of inundation of tidal seawater during the high tidal period, species such as M. wightiana and Acanthus were found to colonize both the banks of the channels.

An analysis of species diversity, indicated a definite trend in the distribution of mangrove from the mouth of the estuarine region to the inland waters.

The levels of atmospheric pollutants such as sulphur dioxide (SO₂), oxides of nitrogen (NO_x), ammonia (NH₃) and suspended particle matter (SPM) were within the legal limits.