Quantitative Ecological Study of Rhizophoraceae Mangroves of Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary Regions of Odisha Coast, India

Phytosociological studies were carried out by 1000 m line transects laying perpendicular to the coastline. Line transects were laid with 10 × 10 m2 quadrats from the Low Tide Line (LTL) towards the High Tide Line (HTL). The study sites were divided into five blocks, where Kadua, Kansaridia and Kharnasi forest blocks were situated in Mahanadi deltaic area and Bhitarkanika and Khola forest blocks under the National Park area. The quantitative ecological parameters such as frequency, abundance, density, DBH and importance value index of the Rhizophoraceae mangroves were determined using standard ecological methods. In total, 8 species of Rhizophoraceae mangroves were reported with the highest frequency (100%) of Rhizophora mucronata Poir. Rhizophora apiculata Bl. and R. mucronata with 0.54 and 0.29 A/F ratios, respectively, were reported in the study sites. The standing crop biomass was found to be the highest in Kandelia candel (L.) Druce with 34 cm DBH followed by Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (L.) Savigny with 31 cm DBH. Both the species of Rhizophora, Ceriops decandra (Griff.) Ding Hou and B. gymnorrhiza showed comparatively high IVI scores among all the 8 species studied. Different species showed different preferred locations as per the tidal inundation frequency for their growth, establishment and regeneration. These species may be suitable for reintroduction and regeneration of the mangrove forests along the deltaic coastline. © 2021, The National Academy of Sciences, India.