Abstract
The objective of this work was characterize the floristic diversity and the phytosociological structure of the mangrove in the Sao Francisco River estuary in order to contribute to the conservation of this ecosystem. Thirty-four sampling sites were selected, according to ongoing structural mosaic in the region ranging from 100 to 400 m between themselves, in a total useful area of 0.7625 ha. The evaluated parameters were: density of live and dead trunks; living and dead Basal Area; Absolute Frequency, Relative Frequency and Importance Value. Three typical mangrove species of the Sao Francisco estuary were found such as Avicennia germinans (L.) Stearn, Rhizophora mangle L. and Laguncularia racemosa (L.) Gaertn. F. Gaertn. The forest height ranged from 2.88 to 15.63 m, the DBH from 3.95 to 19.74 cm, live basal area from 4.22 to 47.83 m² ha -1 and dead basal area from 0.50 to 59.63 m² ha -1 . The living trunks density ranged from 375.00 to 9100.00 trunks ha -1 and dead trunk density from 100-2800 trunks ha -1 . The described results in this study demonstrated that the mangrove forests presents a structural variability that may be associated with environmental characteristics (marine erosion) and anthropogenic factors. The peculiarities of each site emphasize the importance of preventive actions in the ecosystem conservation.
Highlights
Mangroves are inserted in tropical and subtropical regions, being an authentic coastal forest whose structure and diversity of species are highly adapted to the topographical and geomorphological differences, saline fluctuations and tidal amplitudes
According to ADEMA (2012), this estuary occupies an area of 35.31 km2, of which 20.39 km2 are covered by mangrove forests
Three typical mangrove species were recorded in the São Francisco River estuary: Avicennia germinans (L.) Stearn, Rhizophora mangle L. and Laguncularia racemosa (L.) F
Summary
Mangroves are inserted in tropical and subtropical regions, being an authentic coastal forest whose structure and diversity of species are highly adapted to the topographical and geomorphological differences, saline fluctuations and tidal amplitudes. This ecosystem plays a key role in coastal geomorphological stability and biodiversity conservation (BARBIER et al, 2011). The occupation of the coastline is configured as the main tensor agent in these environments, by promoting greater deforestation, landfills and dumping of sewage.
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