Floristic and macro faunal diversity of Pondicherry mangroves, South India

Taxonomic diversity and significance of mangroves and mangrove associates, as an ecological group, is well known (Alongi 2002; Azariah & Govindasamy 1998; Blasco & Aizpuru 2002). Interacting with aquatic, inshore, upstream and terrestrial ecosystems, they support a diverse marine, freshwater and terrestrial flora and fauna (Macintosh & Ashton 2002) providing habitats for the distribution of diverse animals (Hogarth 2001). Mangroves provide numerous commercial products to local communities (Bandaranayake 2002). This study makes an inventory of the existing flora and macro fauna of Pondicherry mangroves.