The effects of selective cutting on the dominance and the relative density of mangrove species in the complex of the Guaxindiba river/Engenheiro Antonio Resende channel, Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of selective cutting on the dominance and the relative density of mangrove species in the Complex of the Guaxindiba River/Engenheiro Antonio Resende Channel, in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Ten plots were demarcated along the estuary and within each plot measurements were taken of the diameter at breast height (DBH) for individuals > 2.5 cm. Measurements of selective cutting and regrowth were made for the different species. The cutting of vegetation was registered in 9 of the 10 plots analyzed and varied from 2 to 43%. 4. There was no relation between the percent of trunks cut and the proximity of residential areas. Selective cutting was found for Avicennia germinans and Laguncularia racemosa, but only L. racemosa presented regrowth. The results suggest that L. racemosa is more highly affected by selective cutting when compared to the other species, though this impact did not modify the species dominance and the relative density in the mangrove analyzed due to the high regrowth of L. racemosa. Keywords: mangrove, estuary, conservation, vegetation