In my further attempt to survey the mangrove swamps of Nellore district, mandal-wise, this time I visited Iskapalle- Kurrupalem (Kurru)- Adinarayanapuram mangrove wetlands in Allur Mandal. Here I found vast stretches of mangrove wetlands being converted into shrimp ponds and salt pans at the expense of mangroves.
Mandal: Allur
Date of visit 13.02.2011
Coordinates: 140 44126.4111 – 14044132.1211 N, 8006147.5811-80006151.6511E
Kurrupalem is a lagoon bordering Bay of Bengal.
At Kurrupalem swamps, there are exclusively pure stands of A.marina. They are stunted and are about 6 ft. tall, with no flowers. On either side of the Society Road there are A.marina plants. There are salt pans at the beginning of the road, followed by mangrove swamps and then again salt pans.
Another interesting feature is the total absence of Prosopis chilensis. The swamps are water-logged. It is obvious that the mangroves are gradually cleared and the swamps are converted into salt pans. There are small creeks in the swamps and water is flowing. At the margin of the road Ipomoea pes-caprae and Heliotrpium currasavicum L.: are growing.
- Salinity: 19 ppt
- Dissolved oxygen: 20.4
- Water temperature : 270C
B). Mangrove swamps of Venkatareddypalem
Mandal : Vidavalur
Location : 140 35137.1011 – 14036102.3911 N, 80009138.5811-80010105.1811E
These mangrove swamps are fed by a Pennar creek, to the north of Pallepalem – Utukuru.
This is a huge mangrove swamp, exclusively comprised of A.marina, 6-8 ft tall. The swamp is inaccessible. Adjacent to the swamps there are stands of Excoecaria agallocha, about 10 ft. tall, with flowers. In these swamps also mesquite is totally absent.
- Salinity: 20 ppt
- Dissolved Oxygen: 10.0
- Water temperature: 280C
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