Floristic constitution and certain ecological characters of two selected natural mangrove vegetation in Kollam district, Kerala
Abstract
Mangroves are the important salt tolerant vegetation having more ecological and economical significances. In comparison to that of eastern coastal part, the western coastal region of Peninsular India comprises less area of mangroves. Therefore, establishing new mangroves in suitable habitats in this region is more essential to maintain the ecological processes in coastal landscape. To select the suitable mangrove species for newer areas of Kerala coast, a preliminary study on ecology was carried out in two natural mangrove vegetation at Ayiramthengu and Mandrothruthu, Kollam district. The study revealed that out of 34 (Ayiramthengu) and 24 (Mandrothruthu) species present, a sizable number of eight and six species respectively were true mangroves and adapted more prominently in their respective site indicated by higher Importance Value Index (IVI) and Relative Value of Importance (RVI) obtained by them. Therefore, these species are suggested for new formations of mangrove vegetation in the coastal regions of Kerala.
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