Ecological Study of True Mangroves Structure along Andaman Coastline of Ranong, Thailand

Abstract

This research was conducted in a mangrove ecosystem in Ranong, Thailand with the aim of studying the real mangroves structure in terms of ecologically-based relative abundance and species diversity concepts. The Point Centered Quarter (PCQ) method and Shannon-Wiener’s index were used to perform floristic inventory and quantify species diversity index values in three sampling sites. There were 11, 9 and 7 species of individuals found in Rachakrud, Bangben and Talaynog sites, respectively. Avicennia marina, Rhizophora apiculata and Bruguiera parviflora make up almost 84 % of stand found in Rachakrud site. At Bangben site, we discovered two species, namely, Ceriops decandra and Rhizophora apiculata which comprised 69 % of stand. Moreover, we found Bruguiera parviflora and Rhizophora mucronata assembled at 65 % of stand located in Talaynog site. These mangrove species were classified as the most abundant species in each particular site. The mangroves in Rachakrud had the highest diversity index value (1.65) while the mangroves in Talaynog had the lowest diversity index value (1.51). The corresponded with their species richness at 11 and 7, respectively. The outcome from relative abundance and species diversity study of true mangroves in Ranong particularly along the Andaman coastline would serve as baseline information on mangroves biodiversity, coastal ecosystem conservation and management.