PNEUMATOPHORE DENSITY AND SIZE IN MANGROVES OF KARACHI, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Pneumatophore density of mangrove Avicennia Inarina from different locations of Karachi ranged from 56-520 nf with a mean value of 278m -2 ± 135 SD, their height ranged from 2-32 cm with a mean value of 11.8±3.2 SD and maximum thickness from 2-11 mm with a mean value of 6.3±1.57 SD. Pneumatophore density was positively correlated with tree height, tree girth and negatively with its own height. There was a positive relationship be tween the density and mud content in mangrove soil suggesting that mangroves adapt to anaerobic and water- conditions by increasing their numbers and hence large surface area for maximum aeration.