Abstract
The mangroves in the Cauvery estuary of Thanjavur District display differences in species composition and growth. About 48 mangrove plant species and their associates were enumerated. A total of 37 non-mangrove species have advented in the mangrove forest and are listed in the results. For convenience of description, the mangrove forest has been divided into following three types: 1) the shore line, 2) the river bank, and 3) the islands and lagoons. About 13 mangrove species and associates were common to the mangrove forests, while others were restricted to a particular forest. Ecological stress, advent of non-mangrove species into mangrove forest and diversity of mangrove species have been studied.
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