Abstract
Muthupet mangrove ecosystem (10° 25′ N and 79° 30′ E) is located at the southern end of the Cauvery delta on the east coast of India. The swamp is characterized by the presence of only 4 species of exclusive mangroves namelyAvicennia marina, Excoecaria agallocha, Aegiceras corniculatum andAcanthus ilicifolius.
Community structure analysis carried out at four randomly selected quadrats showed that the relative density, relative dominance, relative frequency and importance value ofA. marina was relatively higher than for the other three species. Hence, Muthupet mangrove ecosystem is characterized by the mono-specific dominance ofA. marina. Earlier palynological studies indicate that species likeRhizophora were present in this swamp some 200 years ago. It is believed that the past management practices together with the present poor scientific policy of the decision makers and harsh environment conditions may be considered as a few factors responsible for the disappearance ofRhizophora from this mangrove swamp.
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Azariah, J., Selvam, V. & Gunasekaran, S. Impact of past management practices on the present status of the Muthupet mangrove ecosystem. Hydrobiologia 247, 253–259 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00008226
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00008226