Ecological aspects along the shores of the Burabalanga tidal estuary, balasore district, orissa state

Abstract

A few terrestrial strips of the Burabalanga tidal estuary were studied both for their taxa and soil. The present study shows that there is a distinct change in the vegetational patterning and taxa composition from the stabilised estuarine shore towards the upland relief. With increasing distance from the estuarine shore line towards the upland the vegetation cover percentage decreased. Similarly the edaphic parameters show significant differences and show correlation both negative and positive in response to tidal rhythms within a broad topo-sequence. It is concluded that the cause for the sequential changes of taxa and soil correspond roughly to tidal floodings on the intertidal areas and the combined action of precipitation (climate) and local topography on the supratidal area.