Distribution and zonation pattern of mangrove forest in Shoal Bay Creek, Andaman Islands, India

Abstract

Mangrove forest distributed throughout the coast of South Andaman Island varies from small patches to dense forest. In the field survey the various species of mangroves dominated in appropriate zones were identified. The coordinates of field survey were used to perform the supervised classification. Zones are classified from seaward to landward end and they are distributed as Seaward fringes, Tall Dense <i>Rhizophora</i>, <i>Rhizophora</i>-<i>Ceriops</i> dense, <i>Xylocarpus</i> mixed, <i>Bruguiera</i> Clumps and Landward Back mangroves. Total area of mangroves in Shoal Bay creek was estimated around 2912.97ha out of this 1688.72 ha of forest occupies by the Dense <i>Rhizophora</i> community and forms strong zonation in the entire creek. In the spices point of view <i>Rhizophora mucronata</i> and <i>R. apiculata</i> are the most dominant species of the creek which present in all the zones in all sub-tidal creeks of Shoal Bay.