MORPHOMETRY, HABITAT AND STANDING CROP OF Porteresia coarctata AT BAKKHALI ESTUARY, COX’S BAZAR, BANGLADESH

Morphology, habitat, shoot density and standing crop (above below ground biomass) of salt marsh Porteresia coarctata at Bakkhali estuary, Cox’s Bazar were investigated from January 2006 to June 2006. Permanent plots 50 m x exposed (station I) protected II) areas selected. P. was found growing as monospecific stand four-species association with seagrass Halophila beccarii, patches mangroves (Avicennia alba, A. marina Acanthus ilicifolius) the seaweed Ulva intestinalis in intertidal sandy clay substrate. also grew three-species mangrove seaweed, or well two-species Imperata cylindrica. The range mean leaf length, internodes length rhizome individual height 8.10-14.49 cm, 0.91-1.41 cm 12.90-20.94 respectively. varied 925.0 1545.0 shoots m-2. above biomass 23.28-38.02 g DW (Dry Weight) m-2 60.26-97.39 m-2, pore water salinity, pH NH4-N recorded 17.0-41.66‰, 6.0-6.47 1.80-3.70 µg l-1, variation morphological parameters, between two sampling stations attributed differences soil organic matter tidal action i.e., wave current stations.