Diversidade de líquenes associados ao estado de conservação de mangal das espécies Rhizophora mucronata e Avicennia marina na Baía de Maputo

Abstract

Mangrove forests grow in tropical and subtropical coastal zones and are important ecologically and socio-economically. In Mozambique, mangroves occupy an estimated area of ​​396,080 ha, the third largest in Africa. In Maputo Bay, mangrove forests occupy an area of ​​approximately 17,596 ha, sheltering a vast biodiversity of organisms, including lichens. These are a symbiotic process between a fungus and an algae or cyanobacteria. Lichens can be found on tree bark, logs and other substrates. They have great ecological importance as indicators of environmental pollution. These organisms are part of a very diverse group, but still little studied. Currently, studies related to the diversity of lichens that occur associated with mangroves in Mozambique are practically non-existent. This study aimed to evaluate the diversity of lichens in the mangrove and investigate potential links with the conservation status of the species Rhizophora mucronata and Avicennia marina, in Maputo Bay. Sampling was carried out in the months of September and December 2021 in the Matutuine district in the localities of Mabuluco, Santa Maria and Tsolombane. The methodology consisted of direct observation “in situ” of mangrove trees of the aforementioned species colonized by lichens, classification of the conservation status of each tree, and identification of the observed lichens with the help of specialized bibliography. A total of eight (8) species of lichens were identified, namely: Opegrapha vulgata, Ramalina farinacea, Parmotrema tinctorum, Lecanora achroa, Roccella montagnei, Dirinaria aegialita, Dirinaria picta and Graphis sp, grouped into seven (7) genera and six (6) families, subdivided into three (3) morphological types, namely: crustose, foliose and fruticose. The conditions of mangrove trees most frequently colonized by lichens were Intact and Partially Cut trees; and the least frequent were Stumps, Dead Trees and Severely Cut Trees. The results also showed that the species R. mucronata is most frequently colonized by lichens and can be simultaneously colonized by up to 7 species. The lichen Graphis sp was the only one that preferentially colonized A. marina. The highest diversity was observed in Mabuluco and the lowest in Tsolombane(TRADUÇÃO NOSSA)