like in the great majority of tropical mangroves areas around the word, there are no previous good quality data of the mangrove forests and great part of the stands might be a secondary stage. Most of the mangrove forest studies that have been done so far, not only in the region but elsewhere, were concerned with the intertidal variability. The present work, designed to test general patterns along the entire estuarine gradient, showed that there are some consistent patterns of species replacement in the mangrove fringe forests. Additionally, the observed patterns can immediately assist in monitoring efforts and restoration programs, regarding species selection for the estuarine zone to be restored, increasing the chances of success.