Investigation on the structure and dispersion of mangrove forest community in Sirik site in Hormozgan province

Sirik site is an unique mangrove site in Iranwhere Rhizophora mucronata occur with Avicennia marina (Grey mangrove) stands. The structure of mangrove communities as well as their special environmental characteristics differ in the country. Little is known about structure, dispersion and extent of these two mangrove stands by. In order to study the dominant species composition and distribution, IRS satellite image, acquired in 2004, and field sampling were used. The study of mangrove forests showed there exist three types of forest stands in this region; one as pure Rhizophora besides the main estuary and in contact with water, one as pure Avicennia at the end of site toward land and sometimes at the bank of estuary and mixed Avicennia and Rhizophora between two above-mentioned stands. The results showed that the establishment of Rhizophora stands increases from east to west and toward main estuary. The area of mentioned stands using GPS and georeferenced image were recorded 272.6, 43.9 and 326.7 ha for pure Avicennia, pure Rhizophora and mixed stands, respectively. The total area of Sirik forests measures 643.2 h