Mangrove vegetation structure and density of younger classes (<1 m) was investigated in two mangrove stands namely Mundra and Kharo at Kachchh coast, Gujarat, India. Vegetation structure was studied in terms of density, mature tree height, Girth at Breast Height (GBH) and Canopy Index (CI). At Mundra, mature tree density ranged between 1820 and 4325/ha whereas the height and GBH range was 1 to 6.7 m and 3 to 112 cm, respectively. In Kharo station, mature tree density range was 1084 to 3559/ha. Height and GBH in this station ranged between 1 to 7.8 m and 5 to 112 cm. The observed biological parameters were analyzed for different size classes also in order to understand stand structure and age classes. Altogether, 3284 mature trees in 107 quadrates and 37 transects were studied in these two stations. Structural attributes of Kachchh mangroves was found inferior to other mangrove formations of India probably due to aridity of the coastal belt.

Kachchh, Mangroves, Vegetation Structure, aridity, Avicennia marina