Demographic studies on the grey mangrove (avicennia marina)‎ of the Arabian gulf coast, Saudi Arabia

الملخص EN

-Several excursions were carried out during 2000-2002 to study the ; occurrence and the distribution of the grey mangrove [Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierch.] along the western coast of the Arabian Gulf, Saudi Arabia.

Based on their densities, the stands of the grey mangrove were classified visually into three groups, namely high density stands at Anak and AL-Zower areas ; medium density stands at Anak, Sanabis and Juaymah areas ; and low density stands at AL-Nasira, Ramis and Ras Tannurah areas.

Demographic studies of the grey mangrove were conducted at two selected sites, namely Sanabis (SI) supporting medium density stands and Anak (S2) supporting high density stands.

It has been shown that the average growth rates of the grey mangrove with respect to height of shrubs, canopy width and seedling height were lower in SI than in S2.

The studies showed that the rate of transfer from seedling stage to sapling stage was greater in S2 than in S1 .

Moreover, densities of saplings and shrubs, seedlings and pneumatophores in S2 exceeded those in SI.

The annual increase in shoot height and canopy width demonstrated that active growth of the plants occurred during summer rather than in winter time.

The results of this study indicate that the grey mangrove is in a state of active dynamic growth, which recommend its successful utilization for afforestation of the western coast of the Arabian Gulf in Saudi Arabia.