Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
macrophytes in coastal Odisha are very sporadic
and requires immediate attention. Rivers, soil
moisture, and relatively shallow groundwater
basins are the principal sources of water for
human (Gleick
1996
). One percent of the
world's surface is covered by various freshwater
habitats including the seasonally fl ooding rice
paddies (Balian et al.
2008
). They support life of
7 % of the estimated 1.8 million described spe-
cies (Melzer
1999
), including 25 % of the esti-
mated vertebrates. Aquatic macrophytes can be
used as a tool in the determination of pollution
and nutrient level (Clayton and Edwards
2006
),
water quality and lake condition (Palmer and
Bell
1992
), trophic status of lakes (McCutcheon
and Schnoor
2003
), pollutant degradation
(Nahlik and Mitsch
2006
), and decontaminate
wastewater (Cook
1996
; Nichols
1991
).
Urbanization, industrialization, and bursting
human population are the major threats to the
freshwater ecosystem. Human interference is
the main reason for the shrinkage of surface
area and reduction of mean depth of the lakes of
Balasore district of Odisha. For the fi rst time,
we present the aquatic macrophyte wealth of
Balasore district of Odisha state, India.
Results and Discussion
Aquatic ecosystems perform many important envi-
ronmental functions. They recycle nutrients, purify
water, attenuate fl oods, recharge groundwater, and
provide habitats for wildlife (Melzer
1999
).
Aquatic ecosystems are also used for human recre-
ation and are very important to the tourism indus-
try, especially in coastal regions. From this study, a
total of 132 species including 129 fl owering plants
and 3 Pteridophyte species spread in 82 genera and
41 families were recorded (Table
1.1
). The most
speciose families were Cyperaceae with 27 species
followed by Poaceae (24 taxa), Linderniaceae
(7 taxa), and 5 species each for Fabaceae,
Onagraceae, and Polygonaceae. Commelinaceae
and Scrophulariaceae were represented by four
species each. For 19 families like Alismataceae,
Aizoaceae, Aponogetonaceae, Ceratophyllaceae,
Sphenocleaceae, and Typhaceae, only one species
each was recorded. Species richness and abun-
dance appears to be infl uenced by seasonal varia-
tions. In rainy season (July-September), 112
species were collected, whereas in summer season
(April-June), as many as 28 species were recorded.
Cyperus bulbosa
,
Cyperus rotundus
,
Ludwigia
adscendens
, and
Ludwigia perennis
mostly grow
during summer in low-depth areas near the
embankment. Some species such as
Lemna gibba
,
Pistia stratiotes, Eicchorna crassipes
, and
Salvinia
molesta
showed the seasonal appearance. Among
132 plant recorded, 117 taxa (89 %) are herbaceous
plants. Eight shrubs (e.g.,
Acanthus ilicifolius
,
Aeschynomene aspera
,
Sonneratia caseolaris
),
four trees (e.g.,
Barringtonia acutangula
,
Excoecaria agallocha
,
Talipariti tiliaceum
), and
three climbing plants (e.g.,
Dalbergia candenaten-
sis
,
Derris scandens
,
Derris trifoliata
) were also
collected from the study sites which distributed to
the banks of rivers, bunds of paddy fi elds, and man-
grove forests. Most of the species are distributed
widely, and none of the endemic species or nar-
rowly distributing plants are collected.
Data on freshwater ecosystem, inhabiting life-
forms, and species distribution and richness and
comprehensive taxonomical and ecological
information are needed to assess the impacts of
Methods
Qualitative fl oristic survey was made in differ-
ent aquatic environment including lentic (pools,
ditches, lakes), lotic (streams, rivers), and
wetlands seasonally through regular fi eld visit
during July 2013-June 2014 to record the
aquatic macrophytic wealth of Balasore district.
Angiosperm and Pteridophyte macrophytes were
observed and collected including submerged,
submerged anchored and fl oating-leaved
anchored, emergent anchored, and free fl oating.
The collected plant specimens were identifi ed
and confi rmed with regional fl oras and regional
checklist for hydrophytes. Binomial and author
citation of all collected hydrophytes were checked
with International Plant Names Index (
http://
Voucher specimens were deposited in Herbarium
of Central Botanical Laboratory, Howrah.
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