Invertebrate Faunal Diversity in Mangroves of Odisha

Abstract

Mangroves are assemblages of halophytes that grow at land-sea interface of the tropical and subtropical regions of the globe. In Odisha, mangroves are distributed in three zones - Mahanadi delta, Brahmani-Baitarani delta (Bhitarkanika mangrove) and Budhabalanga-Subarnarekha river coast (Balassore coast). Mangroves occupy about 33.7% of the total forest of Odisha. Bhitarkanika of Brahmani-Baitarani delta supports the third largest mangrove zone of the country containing the largest congregation of mangrove species.