Avaliação ecológica e etnobotânica da vegetação e flora de Malamba (Malamba Beach Lodge) na zona costeira do distrito de Massinga

Abstract

Coastal vegetation corresponds to the plant community located in the transition zone between the terrestrial and marine environments. This vegetation plays a relevant ecological role as an environmental support service and is an important source of food, refuge and habitat for several animal species, significantly favouring the presence and maintenance of biodiversity. The aim of the study was to evaluate ecologically and ethnobotanically the vegetation and flora in Malamba in the coastal zone of the Massinga district. The 20x20 meter grid method was used to collect data to survey the flora and an ethnobotanical survey was carried out through direct observations and a survey administered to people considered experts in the use of plants. Four categories of uses were considered: medicinal, food, construction and wood fuel. The calculation of species diversity was obtained using the Ecological Methodology statistical software, and the Kruskal-Wallis test showed no significant differences between vegetation types (P=0.2067). A total of 168 species were identified, distributed in 56 families; the Fabaceae and Rubiaceae families had the largest number of species. Fifteen (15) endemic and near-endemic species were identified in the Inhambane centre of endemism region. Five main types of vegetation were identified in the area, namely: Dune scrub, Dune scrub, Miombo scrub and Miombo scrub (open and closed). Habitat destruction and fragmentation is the main threat to biodiversity. In the ethnobotanical survey, 45 plant species were mentioned for the four categories mentioned above. For the construction and wood fuel category, the most cited species were Julbernardia globiflora (100%) and Brachystegia spiciformis (100%). Chamaecrista paralias (64%) and Olax dissitiflora (50%) for medicinal purposes, Encephalartos ferox subsp. ferox (93%) and Ancylobotrys petersiana (86%) for food. Only 5 species presented a higher use value (VU> or = 0.5): Julbernardia globiflora and Brachystegia spiciformis, Ancylobotrys petersiana, Encephalartos ferox subsp. ferox and Euclea natalensis. Although the study was carried out in the coastal area of ​​the Malamba area, effective management of the entire coastal area of ​​the Massinga district is necessary, in order to maintain the functioning and diversity of the ecosystem. However, we can say that the coastal vegetation of Malamba is rich and resilient.