Spatial Assessment of Net Canopy Photosynthetic Rate and Species Diversity in Pichavaram Mangrove Forest, Tamil Nadu

Species diversity of mangroves in Pichavaram is studied using the Important value index (IVI) and its net canopy photosynthetic rate is estimated based on Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI)-Leaf Area Index (LAI) approach. The study area is predominantly covered with Avicennia marina followed by Rhizophora apiculata, Excoecaria agallocha and Rhizophora mucronata. The estimated net canopy photosynthetic rate of Pichavaram mangrove forest is 29686.14 tC yr⁻¹ with Avicennia patches contributing to 28096.27 tC yr⁻¹ and by Rhizophora patches 1589.87 tC yr⁻¹. Average net canopy photosynthetic rate of Avicennia and Rhizophora mangrove patches is 41.30 tC ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ and 22.79 tC ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ respectively.