Diversity of aquatic Angiosperms and Associated Species of Heranj Wetland, Kheda - Gujarat for Sustainability

Abstract

Wetlands are one of the most productive and fertile ecosystems on earth. They cover about 6.4% of the land area of the earth (Mitsch and Gosselink, 1986). Wetlands are tremendously valuable pools of biodiversity and genetic resources, but unmaintainable development is intimidating the bio-wealth and even initiating species extinction. Floodplains, mangroves, sea grasses, saltmarshes, arctic wetlands, peat lands, freshwater marshes and forests are very diverse habitats, with different stressors and aquatic angiosperms act as primary creators in aquatic ecosystems and they maintain energy flow in whole bionetwork. Wetland systems are vulnerable to fluctuations in quantity and quality of their water supply, and it is expected that climate change will have a pronounced effect on wetlands through alterations in hydrological regimes with great comprehensive variability. Wetland habitat responses to climate change and the implications for restoration will be realized differently on a regional and mega-watershed level, making it important to recognize that specific restoration and management plans will require examination by habitat. The present study reveals a total of 28 species of Aquatic angiosperms were recorded from the Heranj wetland ( Taluka: Matar District: Kheda, Gujarat ) that include 8 species of submerged, 2 species of free floating, 5 species of rooted with floating leaves and 13 species of emergent Aquatic angiosperms. Najas sp., Hydrilla sp., Typha sp., Potamogeton sp. are dominant species in Freshwater wetland and hence, different management and restoration techniques are needed for its sustainability.