DIVERSITY OF TRUE AND MANGROVE ASSOCIATES OF BHITARKANIKA NATIONAL PARK (ODISHA), INDIA.

Abstract

In the present study, an attempt has been made to distinguish and separated the true mangroves from mangrove associates. The characteristics chosen for true mangrove identification were presence of aerial roots, viviparous or crypto-viviparous embryo development, tidal dispersal of propagules, ability to form pure stands, absence of understory, highly efficient mechanisms for nutrient retention and physiological mechanisms to tolerate salt. The present investigation which was carried out between the periods from September 2014 to July 2016 had recorded a total 29 true mangrove species and 72 associate species from various regions of Bhitarkanika National Park. The recorded true mangroves belong to 11 families and 15 genera and the associates recorded from 39 family and 56 genera. Among the studied true mangrove families, Rhizophoraceae showed maximum richness both at species and generic level with 10 true mangrove species. The present study will solve the confusion about actual number of true mangrove species of Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary & Mangrove National Park (Odisha), India and will help for conservation of the endemic and diverse flora of this internationally important mangrove wetland. Copy Right, IJAR, 2016,. All rights reserved.