Analysis of Rhizophora mucronata habitat condition by comparing environmental variables in mangrove forest of Sirik, Minab and Jask habitats in coastline of Oman Sea

Rhizophora mucronata forest stands are among the unique mangrove association in the coastline of southern Iran. These stands along with Avicennia marina constitute the only mixed mangrove forest in Sirik site. Despite the long-standing presence of Rhizophora mucronata among mangrove forests of Iran, few studies have been done about its habitat conditions. Understanding these conditions and their comparison with the environmental characteristics of adjacent habitats, could help to identify the leading factors in presence of Rhizophora mucronata only in Sirik habitat. For this purpose, based on the same experiences in Iran and other countries, 14 effective indices on distribution of R. mucronata were recognize and mapped. Such indices as tidal zone, temperature properties, annual rainfall, climate, seawater salinity, soil acidity, wave, substrate, and slope of habitat are among the indices considered in this study. The prepared maps were exported into GIS software. Then, 5% of each map in Sirik, Jask and Minab habitats was randomly selected for exploring the Pearson correlation coefficient and normality test via Kolmogrov-Smirnov test by using Minitab 16 software. The environmental conditions of the mentioned habitats were compared by using independent t-test. The results showed that there are significant difference between fluctuation of temperature, wave height, average maximum flooding level, water salinity and pH of soil in Sirik habitat (with R.mucronata species) and Jask and Minab (without R. mucronata species).