relatively low salinities (Ball, 1988). Schaeffer-Novelli and Cintron (1986) indicated the apparent competitive efficiency of L. racemosa in relation to R. mangle under reduced salinities. The dominance of Rhizophora at lower estuaries fringes could also be due to the development of support structures and consequently, its relatively higher adaptation to wave action (e.g. Duke et al., 1998).