Estrutura e composição florística do mangal na ilha de Vamizi, norte de Moçambique

The aim of this study was to assess the horizontal structure and floristic composition of the mangrove forest on Vamizi Island, located in the Quirimbas Archipelago, in Cabo Delgado Province, northern Mozambique. To this end, dendrometric data were collected to evaluate species richness, floristic composition, phytosociological parameters, diameter structure, conservation status, and natural regeneration of the forest's species. A total of 865 adult trees were identified and recorded, belonging to four botanical families, six genera, and six species, with Ceriops tagal (1406 trees per hectare), Bruguiera gymnorhiza (773 trees per hectare), and Rhizophora mucronata (273 trees per hectare) being the most abundant. The forest showed a density of 2621 trees per hectare and a total basal area of 26 square metres per hectare. The diameter class distribution followed a reverse J-shaped pattern, which is typical of natural forests. The Vamizi forest is in good conservation condition, although signs of cutting were observed in some areas.