Estrutura do manguezal do Rio Lagoa do Furado, Penha, SC

This study aimed to describe the mangrove structure at the river Lagoa do Furado at (Penha, Santa Catarina State). In February 2005, two study sites were selected into the mangrove forests, to represent the different forest structure observed along the river. At the site “A” one plot was placed at the river edge of the mangrove forest (plot I), and another at inner mangrove forest (plot II). At the site “B” two plots were placed at the river edge of the mangrove forest (plots III and V), and one at inner mangrove forest (plot IV). Into each plot all the trees were identified and had the height and the base of the trunk measured, and salinity and temperature were recorded. The averaged canopy height of these sites was 4.5m, and the fringe forests were higher than inner forests. At the site “A” Laguncularia racemosa presented higher relative density than Avicennia schaueriana, which was very branched. Laguncularia racemosa also presented the higher basal area in this site. At the plot III of site “B” Rhizophora mangle presented higher basal area and Avicennia schaueriana presented higher density. At the plot V the three species occurred, but higher density was also observed for Avicennia schaueriana. Plot IV was placed into an impacted area, were some trees had been cut for logging. The only species occurring at this plot was Laguncularia racemosa. The higher degrees of branching were observed for Laguncularia racemosa at site “A”, plot I, and for Rhizophora mangle at site B, plot III. Dead trunks occur only for Laguncularia racemosa. These intense branching are consequences of the environmental tensors. For Laguncularia racemosa the tensor could be assumed as the high frequency flooding at the edge plots, and human action of logging at the inner plots. For Rhizophora mangle the tensor could be assumed as the low temperatures, which are very stressful to this species. The structural patterns observed at Lagoa do Furado mangrove forests are similar to others observed in Santa Catarina State, and its study can improve the understanding of functioning of the mangroves at its southern limit of distribution, and it also can be very helpful to management and restoration of impacted areas.

Key Words: Zonation, structure, conservation, environmental action, Santa Catarina.

Authors: TOGNELLA, M. M. P.; OLIVEIRA, R. G. de, SOARES, M. L. G.; SCHALLENBERGER, B. H.; MARINHEIRO, F. B. G.; CUNHA, S. R.

Complete Paper: CapBasesEcologPenha.

Tognella De Rosa, M. M. P.; Oliveira, R. G.; Soares, M. L. G.; Schallenberger, B. H.; Marinheiro, F. B. G. & Cunha, S. R. 2006. Estrutura do manguezal do Rio Lagoa do Furado, Penha, SC., 77-92p.. In: BRANCO, J.O. & MARENZI, W.C. Bases ecológicas para um desenvolvimento sustentável: estudos de caso em Penha, SC. Editora da UNIVALI, Itajaí, SC, 292 p.