Structure and species distribution in Coringa mangrove forest, Godavari Delta, Andhra Pradesh, India

The structure of the mangrove community and its distribution in the Coringa forest, Andhra Pradesh, India, and the level of atmospheric pollutants (sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, ammonia, suspended particulate matter) were surveyed in 1988-1989. The forest had 11 species of mangrove. The dominant species running along the Godavari river were Avicennia marina, Excoecaria agallocha, and Sonneratia apetala. Three distinct zones of distribution were observed. The concentration of the atmospheric pollutants was influenced by the monsoon and by the wind direction. Ammonia levels exceeded admissible limits at all times except in the coastal zone during the summer. Sulphur dioxide levels did not exceed the permitted limits. Nitrogen oxide concentrations exceeded the admissible limit in Kakinada town but remained within limits in the coastal zone during the summer.