Status and variation trend of mangrove forests and seagrass beds in Van Phong bay, Khanh Hoa province

Abstract

Species composition of mangroves in Van Phong bay was less diverse with 24 species identified, of which 14 species were true mangroves. Rhizophora apiculata, Excoecaria agallocha, Sonneratia alba, Avicennia alba and Avicennia marina were common. The area of mangrove forests was temporally declined. The existing mangroves are remained in small bands that are narrowly distributed along the coast, riversides, cannels and in the aquaculture ponds at Van Tho, Van Khanh, Van Hung and Ninh Tho communes with a total area of 17.7 ha. Species composition of seagrass in Van Phong bay was rather diverse with 9 species identified, of which Enhalus acoroides and Thalassia hemprichii were common. The seagrass beds were mainly distributed in the shallow waters of Xuan Tu-Xuan Ha, Hon Bip, Tuan Le - Xom Moi, Hon Khoi and My Giang hamlets with a total area of about 600 ha. The results of recent monitoring show that there is a significant degradation of the seagrass beds in Van Phong bay.