Salt marsh vegetation in India: Species composition, distribution, zonation pattern and conservation implications

Abstract

Salt marshes are one among the most productive coastal ecosystems, mostly confined to low-energy coasts of temperate and high latitude. Tropical and sub-tropical salt marshes are generally less studied. The present study attempts to assess the status of salt marsh vegetation along the Indian coast regarding its species composition, density, and zonation pattern. Satellite images were used to map salt marshes along the coastal region and to perform field surveys for status assessment at selected sites between November 2014 and July 2018. The total extent of salt marshes in India is estimated as about 290 km2. A total of 14 salt marsh species are found distributed along the Indian coast, belonging to 11 genera under six families. The most diverse family is represented by Amaranthaceae. The overall mean density of salt marsh vegetation is estimated to be 19 ± 1 plants per m2 with the highest density recorded in Lakshadweep (28 m−2) followed by Tamil Nadu (23 m−2), West Bengal (19 m−2), Maharashtra (18 m−2), Andhra Pradesh (17 m−2), Gujarat (15 m−2) and Puducherry (10 m−2). The zonation pattern of salt marsh vegetation in pure stands is detailed from observations. Conservation implications on salt marshes have been discussed. This study provides insight into salt marshes in the tropical environment.