MANGROVE FLORA OF KARNATAKA

Dr. M. Jayakara BhandaryAssociate Professor & Head

Department of BotanyGovernment Arts and Science College

Karwar – 581301mbjaikar@gmail.com

www.gasck.ac.in

Presented in Timi Kurm Festival (Whale-turtle Fesival)18-20 October 2013 atU.K. District Science Centre, KarwarOrganised byTerra Marine Research Institute, India

Coasts are very important!Coastal Areas of the World

- Resource RichMost inhabited, Exploited

Geographical UnitsSupports 50% Global

PopulationProvides 90% global fish

supplySink for 90% of River

load/Pollutants Anything that affects

the Coastal Ecological Balance affect smajority of People on Earth!

WHAT ARE MANGROVES?Mangroves are generally salt tolerant plants growing

in the swampy mud of coastal areas.

They grow in intertidal zones of river mouths, lagoons and creeks which form the estuaries where river water mixes with seawater.

The evergreen mangrove trees and shrubs assemble together to form dense mangrove forests along the seashore.

Global Distribution….

120 tropical and Sub tropical Countries.

18.1 milion ha.

Source: Spalding et al., 1997, The World Mangrove Atlas

Mangroves of India….Occurs along the East Coast

(80%) and West Coast (20%).3-4% of Global ExtentArea estimates range from 7

lac ha. to 3.6 lac ha.4,639 Km2 - 2007Sundarbans, Mahanadi Delta,

Picchavaram, Cauvery Delta, Godavari-Krishna Estuarine Complex, Andaman-Nicobar Islands – notable mangrove locations.

Mangroves of Karnataka

• Official Estimates 2 - 3 Km2 -

Underestimated!• Along estuaries,

Fringing Type• Kali, Aghanashini,

Sharavathi, Kundapura, Nethravathi – main locations

• Fragmented Patches

Mangroves of Kali Estuary14 out of 15 True mangrove species of Karnataka grow here

Living between Sea & Land – Special Features:

Mangrove plants are equipped with many unique biological adaptations which make them fit to survive in the salt-rich, oxygen-poor soil periodically flushed by tides, which is otherwise hostile to plants.

Most important special features are:Dense network of aerial root system for breathing

(pneumatophores) and additional support (stilt roots)Seeds germinating into seedlings while the fruits are still

attached to the mother plant (vivipary)Salt-filtering roots to absorb only pure waterSalt glands in the leaves to excrete excess salt if

absorbed

Biological Speciality – Highly adapted to mangrove habitats

Vivipary

Viviparous seed germination in mangroves

Viviparous seed germination in mangroves- contd.

Floral Diversity

Global – About 90 speciesIndiaEast Coast – 60 speciesWest Coast – 34 speciesKarnataka – 35 species True Mangroves- Exclusive mangrovesMangrove Associates – Also found outside

mangrove habitatsRhizophoraceae, Avicenniaceae, Sonneratiaceae – Major true mangrove families

Aegiceras corniculatum (Myrsinaceae)Large shrubs growing in dense patchesSlender stilt rootsLeaves alternate, spirally arrangedDense umbellate clusters of small, fragrant white flowersbunches of curved propagules with pointed tips, reddish when mature.Fl. All round the year

TRUE MANGROVE PLANTS

Acanthus ilicifolius (Acanthaceae)Shrubby plants growing in dense patchesLeaves with wavy margin having sharp spinesLarge blue flowers at the tips of branchesBracts prominent, 4 seeded fruits.Fl. March-June

Acrostichum aureumPteridaceae(Mangrove Fern).Pinnately compound leaves, Rhizome erect.Tender shoots and rhizomes edible.

Avicennia marina (Avicenniaceae) Small trees with white barkCluster of pencil-like breathing roots around the stemLeaves small with acute tipCluster of small, yellow flowers on long stalks. Stamens not projectingAlmond-like fruits with shining silky surface

Avicennia officinalis (Avicenniaceae)Large trees with grayish black barkCluster of pencil-like breathing roots around the stemLeaves with rounded tipCluster of small, yellow flowers on long stalks. Stamens projecting outAlmond-like fruits with shining silky surface.Fl. May-June

Bruguiera gymnorhiza (Rhizophoraceae)Small trees with buttresses and knee rootsLeaves dark green, stalk and midrib reddishFlowers single, reddish, many(12-18) calyx lobes and petalsPropagules slightly angled with blunt tip.Fl. December-February

Bruguiera cylindrica (Rhizophoraceae)

Excoecaria agallocha (Euphorbiaceae)Large shrubs with milky latexStilt and breathing roots absentLeaves alternate, reddish when oldDense clusters of minute, yellow, unisexual flowersTrilobed (soapnut –like) fruits.Fl. July-August

Sonneratia alba (Sonneratiaceae)Small trees with many upward conical breathing roots all around the stemLeaves opposite, tip roundedFlowers large, white, calyx cup-like with 6 lobes, many long white stamensLarge apple-like fruits, flat at the tip with short tail-like style.Fl. March-July

Sonneratia caseolaris (Sonneratiaceae)Large trees with many upward conical breathing roots all around the stemLeaves opposite, tip rounded with a pore, stalk very short and pinkFlowers large, dark red, calyx cup-like with 6 lobes, many long reddish stamensLarge apple-like fruits, with a long tail-like style at the tipFl. October-December

Rhizophora apiculata (Rhizophoraceae)Trees with stilt roots hanging from the base of the stemLeaves large, leathery with a small bristle-like point at the tipPairs of creamish flowers without stalk, calyx lobes 4, stamens 12Long hanging propagules (about 50 cm long)

Rhizophora mucronata (Rhizophoraceae)Large trees (about 12 m. tall) with many stilt roots hanging from the base of the stem and old branchesLeaves large, leathery with a narrow spinous outgrowth at the tipGroups of 4-8 creamish-white flowers on long stalks, calyx lobes 4, stamens 8.Long hanging propagules (about 65 cm long).Fl. June-August

Kandelia candel (Rhizophoraceae)Large shrubs or short trees, stem base flattened with flaky barkLeaves narrow and longMany white flowers on long stalk, sepals and petals 5 each, stamens manyHanging propagules in bunches, about 40 cm long, with reflexed calyx lobes.Fl. June-July

Lumnitzera racemosa(Combretaceae)

Small TreesFlowers white

Cerbera odollam (Apocynaceae) Honde, TendeTrees with white latexFlowers white, sweet scentedFruits mango sized, greenFl. Round the year

Mangrove Associate Plants

ECOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

• Coastal Shore Protection - Bioshields

• Breeding Ground for crabs, shrimps, Fishes

• Tsunami/Cyclone Protection ?

• Nutrient source for marine Food Web

• Habitat for Birds, other animals

• Source of Firewood and other domestic needs

• Carbon Sequestering

• Eco-Tourism Spots

• Educational/Research materials

Mangrove Ecotourism

Thank you…..