Floristic Composition and Structure of Mangrove forest in Macuze, Central of Mozambique

Abstract

Despite its importance, mangroves are considered in the current context the most vulnerable and susceptible to degradation, due to anthropic activities, therefore, studies that help in understanding these environments, such as the floristic and structural characterization of vegetation are necessary. Thus, the aim of this study was to describe the floristic and phytosociological characteristics of the Macuze-Sede mangrove in the district of Namacurra in the province of Zambézia, in central Mozambique. Twenty-four plots measuring 20 m x 20 m (400 m²), were installed through systematic sampling, where all arboreal individuals with diameter at breast height (DBH) greater than or equal to 10 cm were quantified. The diameter at breast height of all individuals were grouped into classes, and the phytosociological parameters (absolute and relative density, absolute and relative frequency, absolute and relative dominance, and importance value index) of the species were calculated. In the study area 546 individuals were quantified and seven species identified, distributed among 7 genera and 5 families. The density was 568.75 trees per hectare, the mean diameter was 13.07 cm and the total basal area 7.97 m 2 /ha. In the diametric distribution, most individuals fitted into the smallest classes. Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh. var. marina presented the largest number of individuals (340) and the highest values in all phytosociological parameters, with an importance value of 52.8%. Thus, it was found that Avicennia marina is the most important species for the study area, and showing that it is the species widely distributed in Mozambique according to other studys.