Vegetative structure and species composition of mangroves along the Mumbai coast, Maharashtra, India

The mangroves of Mumbai coast have witnessed significant degradation in recent times. Although studies on mangrove floristics of Mumbai coast started in 1905, no comprehensive efforts have been made to assess the vegetative structure and regeneration pattern. Considering these facts, field surveys were carried out in 8 selected sites in Mumbai coast during August 2015 to May 2016, using quadrat method. A total of 10 species belonging to 5 families and 8 genera were recorded. The average tree density was recorded to be 635 individuals ha−1 varying from 325 to 708, whereas basal area of mangroves was found to be 11.16 m2 ha−1, varying between 5.60 and 28.26 m2 ha−1. Avicennia marina constituted 50% of the Important Value Index, 78% of tree density, 71% of basal area and 75.63% of the total juvenile density, indicating the dominance of this species in the mangroves of Mumbai coast. The low values of diversity indices (H' =0.90) and complexity index (Ic=3.77) indicate the low species diversity and poor structural development of mangroves along the Mumbai coast. It indicates that immediate conservation and management measures should be taken to preserve the mangrove species diversity of Mumbai coast.