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Mangroves or tidal swamp forests |
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Mangroves are
mostly confined to the estuaries and banks of backwaters where the influence of
tidal waves is pronounced. Kerala had a substantial area under mangroves.
However, due to alternate land use, this unique vegetation now occupies only 17
km2 area (Basha, 1991). Common trees in the mangroves are Avicennia marina,
Avicennia officinalis, Barringtonia racemosa, Bruguiera cylindrica, Bruguiera
gymnorrhiza, Cerbera manghas, Ceriops decandra, Excoecaria agallocha, Rhizophora
apiculata, Rhizophora mucronata, Sonneratia apetala, etc. Climbers commonly
associated are Dalbergia candenatensis, Derris trifoliata, Ipomoea alba,
etc. |
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