Journal of Research in Biology ISSN No: Print: 2231 6280; Online: 2231- 6299

An International Scientific Research Journal

ORIGINAL RESEARCH

Floristic constitution and certain ecological characters of two selected

natural mangrove vegetation in Kollam district, Kerala.
Authors: ABSTRACT:
Journal of Research in Biology

Sekaran S1,
Nisha Raj S2, Mangroves are the important salt tolerant vegetation having more
Arun S1 and ecological and economical significances. In comparison to that of eastern coastal part,
Paulsamy S3 the western coastal region of Peninsular India comprises less area of mangroves.
Therefore, establishing new mangroves in suitable habitats in this region is more
essential to maintain the ecological processes in coastal landscape. To select the
Institution:
suitable mangrove species for newer areas of Kerala coast, a preliminary study on
1.Department of Botany,
Sree Narayana College, ecology was carried out in two natural mangrove vegetation at Ayiramthengu and
Kollam-691 001, Kerala, Mandrothruthu, Kollam district. The study revealed that out of 34 (Ayiramthengu) and
India. 24 (Mandrothruthu) species present, a sizable number of eight and six species
respectively were true mangroves and adapted more prominently in their respective
2. PG Department of site indicated by higher Importance Value Index (IVI) and Relative Value of Importance
Biotechnology, SAS, SNDP (RVI) obtained by them. Therefore, these species are suggested for new formations of
Yogam College,
mangrove vegetation in the coastal regions of Kerala.
Konni- 689691,
Kerala, India.
Keywords:
3. Department of Botany, Mangrove vegetation, Kollam district, Kerala.
Kongunadu Arts and
Science College,
Coimbatore 641 029,
Tamil Nadu, India.

Corresponding author: Article Citation:

Sekaran S Sekaran S, Nisha Raj S, Arun S and Paulsamy S
Floristic constitution and certain ecological characters of two selected natural
mangrove vegetation in Kollam district, Kerala.
Email Id:
Journal of Research in Biology (2015) 5(5): 1763-1768

Dates:
Received: 07 Jan. 2015 Accepted: 07 Feb. 2015 Published: 30 June 2015
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1763-1768 | JRB | 2015 | Vol 5 | No 5

Journal of Research in Biology
An International
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 Sekaran et al., 2015

INTRODUCTION determined using standard methodology (Cintron and

Mangroves are the interesting and characteristic Schaeffer-Novelli, 1984).
community in the shallow waters of tropical and
subtropical sea. They are the rich of productive RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
community but extremely sensitive and fragile (Odum, In the vegetation of Ayiramthengu, a total
1959). They protect the coastal line from heavy cyclones, number of 34 species were enlisted which includes eight
tidal thrusts, tsunami etc. (Saini et al., 2012; Sandilyan, true mangrove species and 26 mangrove associate
2013). Therefore, establishing mangroves in suitable species. The frequency percentage was widely varied
places of coastal line for the countries like India is more between 20 and 100 across the species encountered
essential to protect the landscape. To achieve this goal, (Table 1). The plant species like Acrostichum aureum,
the species richness along with their perpetuation level Bruguiera cylindrica, Cleome viscosa, Clerodendrum
by knowing their ecological attributes is the basic inerme, Cyperus distans, Excoecaria agallocha,
requisite to select the species for introduction in coastal Lumnitzera racemosa and Rhizophora mucronata
area. Despite the taxonomical works, no major study on showed higher frequency percentage of 100 in the
ecology has been done in the western coastal part of community at the time of sampling. On the other hand,
Kerala for mangroves. To address this lacuna, the present the three species viz., Avicennia officinalis, Eupatorium
study was carried out to select the well established odoratum and Sonneratia caseolaris were exhibited
species on the basis of ecological characters. lower frequency value of less than 20 only. Density was
much varied between the species. Some species of higher
MATERIALS AND METHODS densities in the community were Cyperus distans (9.2
Study area individuals/m2), Rhizophora mucronata (8.2 individuals/
The mangrove vegetation in two areas viz., m2) and Desmodium triflorum (7.0 indivuals/ m2). On the
Ayiramthengu and Mandrothruthu located in Kollam other hand, the species, Sonneratia caseolaris showed
district of Kerala were selected for the present study. The lower density of less than 0.50 individuals/m2 in this
former vegetation is situated in the coastal area and vegetation.
spreads over an area of about 2.5ha and the later one is in The mangrove species, Rhizophora mucronata
the backwater area of Kollam district, which covers an registered higher basal cover (5875796mm2/100m2)
area of about 1.5ha. followed by the other species Avicennia officinalis
Methods (3313376mm2/100m2) Excoecaria agallocha
A one hectare plot was established in each study 2
(3312102mm /100m ) 2
and Bruguiera cylindrica
area and then it was divided into 100 equal subsets each (2384713mm2/100m2) in the community of
2
with the size of 100m . The sampling was made during Ayiramthengu. The associated species, Desmodium
the month of April 2015 in both vegetations for the triflorum recorded lowest basal area of less than
quantitative ecological characters, (frequency and 223mm2/100m2. The relative values of frequency,
abundance) of constituent species as per the methods of density and dominance were also varied widely among
Cottom and Curtis (1956). Quantitative ecological the species. Based on the importance value index, the
attributes viz., density, basal area and Importance Value species like Avicennia officinalis, Rhizophora
Index (IVI), Relative Value of Importance (RVI) were mucronata, Bruguiera cylindrica and Excoecaria
agallocha were regarded as species of more ecological
1764 Journal of Research in Biology (2015) 5(5): 1763-1768
Sekaran et al., 2015

Table 1. Frequency, density, abundance and basal cover with their relative values and importance value
index (IVI) of species in the mangrove forest of Ayiramthengu during the month of August, 2014

Sl. Fre- Density Abun- Basal Relative Relative Relative IVI

No. Species quency (individu dance cover frequency density domi-
(%) als /m2) (mm2 /10 (%) (%) nance
0m2 ) (%)
1 Acalypha indica 60 2.6 4.33 2070 2.78 2.25 0.01 5.04
2 Acanthus ilicifolius 40 5.6 14.00 71337.6 1.85 4.84 0.41 7.10
3 Acrostichum aureum 100 3.4 3.40 389809 4.63 2.94 2.26 9.82
4 Aegiceras corniculata 80 4.8 6.00 749044.6 3.70 4.15 4.34 12.19
5 Aerva lanata 60 3.0 5.00 597.2 2.78 2.59 0.00 5.37
6 Andrographi sechioides 40 1.0 2.50 796.2 1.85 0.86 0.00 2.72
7 Avicennia officinalis 20 3.6 18.00 3313376 0.93 3.11 19.18 23.22
8 Boerhavia diffusa 80 5.2 6.50 37261.2 3.70 4.49 0.22 8.41
9 Bruguiera cylindrica 100 5.2 5.20 2384713 4.63 4.49 13.81 22.93
10 Cleome viscosa 100 5.2 5.20 16560.6 4.63 4.49 0.10 9.22
11 Clerodendrum inerme 100 2.8 2.80 222930 4.63 2.42 1.29 8.34
12 Crotalaria striata 40 3.2 8.00 10191 1.85 2.76 0.06 4.67
13 Crotalaria verrucosa 60 2.0 3.33 6369.4 2.78 1.73 0.04 4.54
14 Croton hirtus 60 1.8 3.00 1433.2 2.78 1.55 0.01 4.34
15 Cyperus distans 100 9.2 9.20 1831.2 4.63 7.94 0.01 12.58
16 Desmodium triflorum 60 7.0 11.67 223 2.78 6.04 0.00 8.82
17 Eclipta alba 80 4.8 6.00 15286.6 3.70 4.15 0.09 7.94
18 Eupatorium odoratum 20 0.8 4.00 10191 0.93 0.69 0.06 1.68
19 Euphorbia geniculata 40 1.2 3.00 5971.4 1.85 1.04 0.03 2.92
20 Euphorbia hirta 60 2.2 3.67 437.8 2.78 1.90 0.00 4.68
21 Excoecaria agallocha 100 2.6 2.60 3312102 4.63 2.25 19.18 26.05
22 Hyptis capitata 40 0.8 2.00 5732.4 1.85 0.69 0.03 2.58
23 Hyptis suaveolens 40 1.8 4.50 5732.4 1.85 1.55 0.03 3.44
24 Ipomoea biloba 40 1.0 2.50 4976.2 1.85 0.86 0.03 2.74
25 Leucas diffusa 80 3.8 4.75 6807.4 3.70 3.28 0.04 7.02
26 Lippia nodiflora 80 4.6 5.75 3662.4 3.70 3.97 0.02 7.70
27 Lumnitzera racemosa 100 5.4 5.40 429936.4 4.63 4.66 2.49 11.78
28 Mimosa pudica 40 1.4 3.50 2508 1.85 1.21 0.01 3.08
29 Passiflora foetida 40 0.6 1.50 1910.8 1.85 0.52 0.01 2.38
30 Rhizophora mucronata 100 8.2 8.20 5875796 4.63 7.08 34.02 45.73
31 Scoparia dulcis 80 4.8 6.00 8598.8 3.70 4.15 0.05 7.90
32 Sida alnifolia 60 2.0 3.33 3582.8 2.78 1.73 0.02 4.53
33 Sonneratia caseolaris 20 0.4 2.00 368152.8 0.93 0.35 2.13 3.40
34 Tridax procumbens 40 3.8 9.50 1936.4 1.85 3.28 0.01 5.14

importance. On the other hand, the spices viz., species (6 true mangroves and 18 mangrove associates)
Eupatorium odoratum, Andrographis echioides, were enlisted. Among them, the two species, Acanthus
Desmodium triflorum, Eclipta alba, Euphorbia ilicifolius and Acrostichum aureum were recorded higher
geniculata, Hyptis capitata and Ipomoea biloba were frequency percentage (100%) followed by another
considered as species of poor ecological importance as mangrove species, Excoecaria agallocha and two
they secured lower IVI value. associated non-mangrove species viz., Euphorbia hirta
In Mundrothuruth vegetation, altogether 24 and Hyptis suaveolens exhibited 80% frequency (Table

Journal of Research in Biology (2015) 5(5): 1763-1768 1765

 Sekaran et al., 2015

Table 2. Frequency, density, abundance and basal cover with their relative values and importance value
index (IVI) of species in the mangrove forest of Mundrothuruth during the month of August, 2014.

Sl. Fre- Density Abun- Basal cover Relative Relative Relative IVI
No. Species quency (individ dance (mm2 /100m2 ) fre- density domi-
(%) uals /m2) quency (%) nance (%)
(%)
1. Acanthus ilicifolius 100 56.0 56.00 713384 8.20 53.74 4.04 65.98
2. Acrostichum aureum 100 7.6 7.60 871340 8.20 7.29 4.94 20.43
3. Andrographis 40 1.6 4.00 1273.6 3.28 1.54 0.01 4.82
echioides
4. Aristolochia indica 20 1.0 5.00 1791 1.64 0.96 0.01 2.61
5. Avicennia officinalis 60 2.2 3.67 2024840 4.92 2.11 11.48 18.51
6. Boerhavia diffusa 60 1.6 2.67 11465.6 4.92 1.54 0.06 6.52
7. Bruguiera cylindrica 20 0.4 2.00 183439.6 1.64 0.38 1.04 3.06
8. Cleome viscosa 40 1.8 4.50 5733 3.28 1.73 0.03 5.04
9. Clerodendrum inerme 40 1.4 3.50 111465.2 3.28 1.34 0.63 5.25
10. Crotalaria striata 20 0.6 3.00 1911 1.64 0.58 0.01 2.23
11. Desmodiumtriflorum 40 3.4 8.50 108.8 3.28 3.26 0.00 6.54
12. Eclipta alba 60 1.8 3.00 5733 4.92 1.73 0.03 6.68
13. Eupatoriu modoratum 60 1.6 2.67 20382.4 4.92 1.54 0.12 6.57
14. Euphorbia hirta 80 2.0 2.50 398 6.56 1.92 0.00 8.48
15. Excoecaria agallocha 80 9.8 12.25 12484074 6.56 9.40 70.76 86.73
16. Hyptis suaveolens 80 2.0 2.50 6370 6.56 1.92 0.04 8.51
17. Ipomoea biloba 40 0.8 2.00 3980.8 3.28 0.77 0.02 4.07
18. Lentana camera 60 1.2 2.00 54025.2 4.92 1.15 0.31 6.38
19. Lumnitzera racemosa 20 1.0 5.00 79618 1.64 0.96 0.45 3.05
20 Mimosa pudica 40 1.6 4.00 2865.6 3.28 1.54 0.02 4.83
21. Passiflora foetida 40 0.6 1.50 1911 3.28 0.58 0.01 3.87
22. Rhizophora mucronata 40 1.4 3.50 1003185 3.28 1.34 5.69 10.31
23. Scoparia dulcis 40 1.4 3.50 2507.4 3.28 1.34 0.01 4.64
24. Wattakaka bolubilis 40 1.4 3.50 50036 3.28 1.34 0.28 4.91

2). The species like Aristolochia indica, Bruguiera
cylindrica, Crotalaria striata and Lumnitzera racemosa
were showed restricted distribution due to their lower
frequency values.
The species, Acanthus ilicifolius registered
highest density of 56 individuals/m2 followed by
Excoecaria agallocha with 9.8 individuals/m2. On the
other hand, some species like Bruguiera cylindrica,
Crotalaria striata, Ipomoea biloba and Passiflora
foetida were present with lower density of less than 1
individuals/m2. In general, true mangrove speices
contributed higher density in the community than the
other non- mangrove plants. The species, Excoecaria
agallocha (12484074mm 2 /100m 2 ), Rhizophora
2 2
mucronata (1003185mm /100m ), and Acanthus
ilicifolius (35669.2mm2/100m2) have contributed higher
basal cover to the community (12484074, 1003185 and
713384mm2/100m2 respectively) than that of other
associated species in this study on mangrove formation.
The relative value of frequency, density and
dominance were also varied widely between the species.
On ecological point of view, the secured value of IVI and
hence the total ecological importance of the species like
Acanthus ilicifolius, Excoecaria agallocha, Acrostichum
aureum, Avicennia officinalis and Rhizophora mucronata

1766 Journal of Research in Biology (2015) 5(5): 1763-1768

Sekaran et al., 2015

Figure 1. Pie chart showing the contribution of Figure 2. Pie chart showing the contribution of
relative value of importance (RVI) by the relative value of importance (RVI) the predominant
predominant species in the Ayiramthengu species in the Mandrothruthu mangrove vegetation.
mangrove vegetation.
species. It may indicate that these site-specific species
were significant as their IVI value are greater than the were occupying higher ecological niches according to
other species. their adaptability in the respective community.
In Ayiramthengu mangrove vegetations, four Therefore, to establish new formations of mangrove
true mangrove species viz., Rhizophora mucronata, vegetation in coastal areas of Kollam district of Kerala
Excoecaria agallocha, Avicennia officinalis and state, the above mentioned species of higher RVI values
Bruguiera cylindrical were determined to have major may be considered. The other associates can be expected
functional role as they secured higher value of relative to invade in such formations in course of time during
importance (RVI) (15.24, 8.66, 7.74 and 7.64% community development.
respectively) (Figure 1). Similarly, in Mundrothuruth the
four true mangrove species viz., Excoecaria agallocha, CONCLUSION
Acanthus ilicifolius, Acrostichum aureum and Avicennia The establishment of mangrove vegetation by
officinalis obtained higher RVI value of 28.91, 21.99, constituting the important true mangrove species namely,
6.81 and 6.17% respectively (Figure 2) and hence played Rhizophora mucronata, Excoecaria agallocha,
major role in community metabolism than the remaining Avicennia officinalis, Bruguiera cylindrical and

Site 1. Ayiramthengu Site 2. Mandrothruth

Journal of Research in Biology (2015) 5(5): 1763-1768 1767

 Sekaran et al., 2015

Acrostichum aureum in all possible places of the coastal its Mapping, Inventory and Some Environmental
part of Kollam district of Kerala is suggested to protect Aspects. Centre for Earth Science Studies. Trivandrum,
this landscape very effectively. India. 38pp.

Saini DC, Kulshrestha K, Kumar S, Gond DK,

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Mishra GK. 2012. Studies on floristic diversity and its
The Authors are thankful to the UGC Bangalore
importance of Pichavaram Mangrove reserve forest,
for funding the Minor Research Project on Diversity
Tamil Nadu. Uttar Pradesh State Biodiversity Board, pp.
and Conservation Strategies on Mangrove Ecosystem
149-151.
with special reference to Marshy Back waters of
Southern Kerala, Western Ghats Vide ref No. No.F. Sandilyan S. 2013. The aftermath of Thane cyclone in
th th
MRP/12 plan/14-15/KLKE057,dated 10 December Pichavaram Mangrove East coast of Southern India.
2014. Science India, 16(2): 35-38.

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Floristics, zonation and aboveground biomass production Easy online submission
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