Estuarine management in northeast Brazil: Plant biodiversity

Among the many researches carried out in the Estuarine Complex of Itamaraca , northeast of Brazil, a study of vascular and non vascular aquatic flora w as made with the objective of identifying the main primary producers. This region has several vegetation groups represented by mangrove zones, seagras s meadow and many species of algae. The more important aquatic vegetation w as represented by mangrove trees (Rhizophora mangle, Avicennia schaueriana, Laguncularia racemosa and Conocarpus erectus) seagrasses (Halodule wrighti i, Halophila decipiens, H. bailloni and Ruppia maritima), 113 macroalgae an d 192 microalgae species, confirming the high vegetation diversity. The spe cies distribution depends on the patterns of water circulation, transparenc y, salinity and the occurrence of rocky substrates.