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Habitat-Based Diversity Assessment of Mangroves of Thane Creek, West Coast, India
Abstract
A habitat-based plant diversity assessment was carried out in order to appraise the current status of the mangroves of Thane creek (Maharashtra, India) for appropriate measures for conservation of the fragile ecosystem. ‘Partially protected’ and ‘disturbed’ are the two major categories of habitat recognized during the study. In addition, mangrove vegetation of each habitat is quantitatively analyzed for its diversity (species richness and distribution) and growth parameters (above ground biomass). Habitat is found to be responsible for the physicochemical setup of mangrove swamps, which decides a community pattern in mangroves. Out of the 18 species recorded from the Maharashtra coast, Thane creek exhibits eight mangroves, viz., Avicennia marina Vahl., Avicennia officinalis L., Bruguiera cylindrica Bl., Sonneratia apetala Buch.-Ham., Ceriops tagal Robin, Excoecaria agallocha L., Acanthus ilicifolius L. and Aegiceras corniculatum Blanco. No zonation pattern could be recognized within the present day mangrove forest. In general, the vegetation is dominated by Avicennia marina, which has an ecologically successful Importance Value Index (IVI) of 157.29 and is most resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses, while others are susceptible to environmental stress and gradually shrink. The results exhibited significant diversity and distribution in partially protected areas. In severely degraded areas, A. ilicifolius grows in abundance, indicating secondary succession.
... There are previous studies in the Mumbai Harbour Bay dealing with multi-decadal changes of the mangrove forest in Thane Creek [31], mangrove mapping using remote sensing data [32], estimation of carbon content using CHN analysis, allometry, and remote sensing for aboveground biomass estimation [33], habitat-based diversity assessment of mangroves [34], the status of trace and toxic elements [35], and heavy metal concentration in mangrove sediments [36]. However, there is a scarcity of comprehensive data on the analysis of mangrove leaves, which can be used as an indicator for the long-term effects of anthropogenic input in the study area. ...
The stable isotopes ratio and elemental composition in the mangrove leaves are excellent indicators for coastal marine pollution. The present study investigated the composition of Carbon, Nitrogen, and Sulfur, δ ¹³ C and δ ¹⁵ N values in mangrove leaves to identify the source of pollution and energy to the mangroves in the creek ecosystem of Mumbai Harbour Bay. The oxygen and hydrogen stable isotope ratios (δ ¹⁸ O and δ ² H) of leaf water were estimated to understand the relative contribution of freshwater and seawater to the mangrove's water source. The Carbon, Nitrogen and Sulfur contents were found to vary from 37.79 to 42.55% (Average: 40.06 ± 1.54%), 2.13–3.79% (Average: 2.94 ± 0.45%) and 0.37–0.81% (Average: 0.53 ± 0.14%) in the mangrove leaves, respectively. The δ ¹³ C and δ ¹⁵ N values were found to vary from − 30.43 to − 28.41‰ (Average: − 29.46 ± 0.74‰) and from − 2.67 to 5.54‰ (Average: 2.21 ± 3.20%), respectively. The δ ¹⁸ O and δ ² H values were found to vary from − 2.7 to 0.83‰ and − 6.86 to 5.43‰ with an average of − 0.94 ± 0.83 and − 2.03 ± 3.52‰ respectively. According to the observed δ ¹⁸ O and δ ² H values, mangroves in the northern part had a relatively higher contribution of freshwater input compared to southern part of the study area. The lower values of δ ¹⁵ N towards the northern end of the creek indicate a relatively higher contribution of nitrogen from industrial discharges. Similar values of δ ¹³ C in mangrove in the region suggest a common source of carbon. Mangroves found near discharge locations have different elemental composition and δ ¹⁵ N values compared to those mangroves that are not located near discharge location. These differences can be used as potential markers to identify the coastal marine pollution. The results of the present study may be used for developing rational approaches for protection and conservation of the mangrove ecosystem in the bay.
... This shows the mono-species dominance of mangroves along the Mumbai coast. Recently, Shindikar et al. (2009) also reported the dominance of A. marina in mangrove forests of Thane Creek along the Mumbai coast. The dominance of A. marina is common along the Arabian Sea bordering countries and the northwest coast of India. ...
... Since then a number of reports on mangrove forests and communities from different geographical regions of India have been published (Kothari and Rao, 1995;Blasko and Aizpura, 1997;Mandal, 1999 andKathiresan, 2000;Shindikar et al., 2009;Vijay Kumar and Vijaya Kumar, 2012;Ram and Shaji, 2013). ...
The extensive mangrove forest of Gorai Creek, Mumbai coast, has recently seen substantial deterioration. The results of a study on mangrove diversity conducted in Gorai Creek on the Mumbai coast from June 2017 to May 2018 are presented here. During the course of the study, twelve species of mangroves from five families and eight genera were identified in each of the three study locations along the creek. Avicennia marina accounted for 13.44% of the Gorai creek marshes, confirming its predominance. Sonneratia alba, Avicennia officinalis, Rhizophora apiculata, Bruguiera cylindrica, Kandelia candel, and Acanthus ilicifolius are among the mangrove species found in the estuarine embayment, with other species strewn around. A diverse range of species, including endangered migratory birds and herpetofauna, can be found in these mangrove environments. Mangroves have been observed to have narrowed in density with time, and it is critical to begin conservation efforts as speedily as humanly possible.
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