DIVERSITY VARIATIONS OF MANGROVE FLORA AMONG CREEKS AND MUDFLATS OF MACHILIPATNAM MANDAL IN KRISHNA DISTRICT

Mangrove flora is unique vegetation that survives at high salinity; tidal regimes, strong wind velocity, high temperature and muddy anaerobic soil with the development of some adaptive morphological characteristics.The present study was carried in creeks and mudflats mangrove patches, to find ecological status of the mangrove vegetation and to analyze significant changes. Results shows, highest Important Value Index (IVI) in Kanuru 33.33and Achyyavaripalem is31.82 for Avicennia marina. Highest Maturity index values (MIV) is 71.00 of Kanuru and 31.82 of and 71.00 of Achyyavaripalem .Similarity indices (SI) is 80.00 highest, medium 76.92 to 72.72, least 66.64 to 50.00, majority of sites showed medium resemblance.50.00 is highest coefficient difference (CD) and least is 20.00.In the present study mudflats regions showed densest mangrove vegetation than creek region and most dominating species in both regions are Avicennia marina and Avicennia officinalis.