The objective of this study is to evaluate the characteristics of the forest in an urbanised mangrove using vegetation structure and abiotic conditions to distinguish habitat heterogeneity/quality. A total of 16 points in Vitória Bay were selected in the fringe and basin forests. The variables evaluated were height and diameter of the individual trees, basal area, density, dominance, interstitial water, litter mass, grain size, organic matter and anthropogenic influences. The results indicated that the mangrove area, due to suffering intensely from various anthropogenic effects, forests with varying degrees of maturity. Areas more distant from direct human effects had a higher degree of development and environmental quality relative to points closer to urban pressures. Intermediate development levels were also observed, which indicated pulses of environmental change. Human interventions caused alterations in the development of the forest which increased the mortality rate and reduced the diameter and height of the trees. The environmental variables of salinity, organic matter, litter mass, grain size and anthropogenic stressors contributed to the structural patterns. Our data suggest that an analysis of the vegetation structure and the abiotic factors are useful indicators to evaluate habitat quality, thus providing a basis for future management.

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O manguezal apresenta elevada produtividade primária que é, em parte, resultado dos mecanismos espécies. A resposta de determinada espécie ao estresse depende de sua tolerância. Conclui-se que os estudos Palavras-chave:Ecophysiological approach to mangroves: a review.

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PITotal -performance index for energy conservation from exciton to the reduction of PSI end acceptors; PN -net photosynthetic rate; Qleaf -luminous intensity incident on the leaf surface; TR0/RC -trapped energy flux per RC; WUE -water-use efficiency; δR0efficiency with which an electron from the intersystem reduces the final acceptor of PSI; φD0 -maximum efficiency of nonphotochemical de-excitation; φE0 -quantum yield for electron transport; φP0 -maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry; Ψ0 -the probability of electron transport further than QA -.