Investigation of some water and soil characteristics of Avicennia marina growing areas of Laft and Khamir in Hormozgan province

This research aimed to study a number of water and soil properties of Avicennia marina mangroves to determine the potentially expandable mangrove stands. To this aim, A. marina stands located in Laft (Qeshm Island) and Khamir regions were selected. A total of 116 soils and 379 water samples were randomly collected along 9 transects in three districts: forest with regeneration, forest without regeneration and marginal lands (lands without forest). Water and soil parameters were measured to estimate the vegetative requirements of the forests, and results were statistically analyzed. The results of soil samples showed that Electrical Conductivity (EC), PH, Na+ and silt in both mangroves with regeneration and mangroves without regeneration were significantly (p<%5) less than those of marginal lands. However, organic carbon, available phosphorus and sand in both mangrove classes were significantly (p<%5) higher than those measured at marginal lands. The results of water analysis did not show any statistically significant differences in a number of parameters including EC, PH, Ca++, Mg++, Na+ and K+ between the three investigated areas. Since regeneration within the stands could be considered as an indicator of optimum vegetative conditions, the results obtained across the regeneration areas can be used as an index for development of A. marina stands.