LA VEGETACIÓN DEL ESTUARIO DEL RÍO CHONE, PROVINCIA DE MANABÍ, ECUADOR

Abstract

The vegetation of the Rio Chone estuary habitats (Manabí province. Ecuador) is characterized. emphasising its mangroves The mangroves cover an area of less than 400 ha and its forests average 8.1 m high and 9 7 cm dbh Its flora is very similar to the mangroves of the Guayas and El Oro provinces The "guanchaf" of Salinas house the tallest mangrove trees (Rhizophora) of this estuary, its stilt-roots provide shelter for "guanches" (red crab) Ucides occidentaUs of commercial sizes There is vegetal evidence that upstream over bank desforestation is the main cause of excessive estuanne sedimentation Some recomendations for management of the estuary are provided