Phytoecological analysis and zonation of mangrove of the hypersaline estuary

Mangrove is a coastal ecosystem of great ecological importance, exhibiting a high fragility to natural processes and human interventions in the coastal zone. This research aimed to examine the relationship between the distribution of mangrove species and geochemical parameters of soil and water in the estuary of the Apodi-Mossoró River, a hypersaline estuary on the northern coast of Rio Grande do Norte State. In order to characterize the vegetation it was used floristic and structural data sampled along the estuary, which were related to salinity in water and soil. The results indicate that salinity acts as a limiting factor in the distribution of mangrove species along the estuary, and this parameter should be taken into consideration when designing management plans and environmental restoration for the estuary in question.