Study of mangrove environment of Maharashtra coast using remote sensing data

Abstract

Analysis of remote sensing data indicate approximately 210 km2 of the mangrove area along the Maharashtra coast. The dominant species along the coast are Rhizophora mucronata, Avicennia officinalis, A. marina, Sonneratia alba, S. apetala, while Excoecaria agallocha and Acanthus ilicifolius are very common. However, Kandelia candal, Bruguiera gymnorhiza, Ceriops tagal, Lumnitzera racemosa are restricted to few localities. Relatively, luxurient formations and more number of species, occur in Ratnagiri and Raigad districts. Scrubby and scanty vegetation dominated by Avicennia marina, along the Bombay coast, could be attributed to constantly increasing anthropogenic pressures.