Rio Piranhas mangroves


The Rio Piranhas mangroves ecoregion covers a series of mangrove forests along the Atlantic Ocean coast of the eastern tip of Brazil. The mangrove sections are spread across 350 km, from the mouth of the Mamanguape River in the north, to the vicinity of Maceió in the south. This coast is centered on the city of Recife, and the mangrove sections often surround industrial ports and cities.

Location and description

There are five major, separate mangrove sectors in this ecoregion :Mamanguape River, a river estuary in Paraíba State,Paraíba do Norte River, with a large estuary north of the Paraiba capital city of João Pessoa Pernambuco State sector, extending 50 km north and south on the coast from the major city of Recife. The section includes the estuaries of the Tracunhaém River, Pirapama River, and Ipojuca RiverMundaú Lagoon, at the city of Maceió, Alagoas StateSão Miguel River (Alagoas), an estuary in Alagoas State.
North of Recife, the interior territory to the mangroves is the Pernambuco interior forests ecoregion. To the south of Recife it is the Pernambuco coastal forests ecoregion.

Climate

The climate of the ecoregion is Tropical monsoon climate. This climate is characterized by relatively even temperatures throughout the year, and a pronounced dry season. The driest month has less than 60 mm of precipitation, but more than mm. This climate is mid-way between a tropical rainforest and a tropical savannah. The dry month usually at or right after the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. Precipitation averages from 1,800 to 2,100 mm/year.

Flora and fauna

The characteristic tree species are red mangrove, black mangrove, and white mangrove. Depending on local conditions in any particular sector, these species can stand alone or in different combinations. They are typically 9 to 20 meters in height. Associated species include button mangrove, Dalbergia ecastaphyllum, parrot-flower ; and four species of sea grasses - shoal grass, clover grass, paddle grass, and beaked tasselweed.
The mangroves of the region support the West Indian manatee, and the area is important for migratory birds.

Protected areas

Officially protected areas in the ecoregion include: