Studying Effects of Reduction in Tidal Flooding on the Structure of Mangrove Forests; A Case Study from Nayband Coastal National Park

Zare-Zadeh Mehrizi, Tayyebeh; Khoshbakht, Korus; Mahdavi Damghani, Abdolmajid; Kambouzia, Jafar

Studying Effects of Reduction in Tidal Flooding on the Structure of Mangrove Forests; A Case Study from Nayband Coastal National Park

Document Type : Original Articles

Authors

¹ M.Sc. on agroecology, Department of Agroecology, Environmental Sciences Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, G.C., Tehran

² Associate Professor, Department of Agroecology, Environmental Sciences Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, G.C., Tehran

³ Assistant Professor, Department of Agroecology, Environmental Sciences Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, G.C., Tehran

Abstract

Ignorance to the principals of sustainable development has affected mangrove forests due to development projects. In order to study the effects of reduction in tidal flooding on vegetative structure of mangrove forests in Nayband coastal national park, a survey was conducted using linear transect method. By comparing the structure of mangroves in the Nayband area with Mound protected area the amount of destruction in this area was studied. Linear transact was used to determine the structure of the mangrove forests in this area. 5 Stations were considered. From that four stations were located in Nayband national park and the last one was situated in Mound protected area as control. A quadrate sample plot with 100 m2 in each transect has been used as the measuring unit with random–systematic distribution. In each plot, the height and steed diameter of trees as well as the height and diameter of crowns were measured. Furthermore, 1 m2 micro plots were used to measure the quantity and height of aerial roots as well as number of seedlings. Results showed that the road construction in this protected area resulting in decrease of water streams in some parts which are the main factor for destruction of this worthy ecosystem. Increase of the number of dried trees, reduction of canopy and the number of aerial roots are main evidences to prove these claim. The green density of mangroves was reduced to 60 and 40 % in the stations 1 and 4 respectively. The canopy in these stations was 40 and 52% respectively; that makes a spare canopy of mangroves forests. There was no seedling in station 1. Therefore, more efforts are need to improve the mangrove vegetation in these stations with strengthening of tidal fluctuations.

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