Diversity and distribution of vascular macrophytes in Ansupa Lake, Odisha, India

Abstract

Panda M, Samal RN, Bhatta KS, Lenka S, Rout J, Patra HK, Nanda S. 2018. Diversity and distribution of vascular macrophytes in Ansupa Lake, Odisha, India. Bonorowo Wetlands 1: 1-12. Macrophytes are indispensable component of any wetlands. They are the base of the trophic structure and variously affect function of aquatic ecosystem. Large invasion of macrophytes enforced for present studies in Ansupa Lake, the largest freshwater lake of the state Odisha (India) to identify the causative plant species. Regular field inspection, quadratic sampling and specimen collections were carried to identify the present macrophytes of the lake and their quantitative aspects like frequency of occurrences, abundance, values of diversity indices, adaptation and growth forms and species distribution etc. A total of 244 macrophyte species were identified that includes 182 semi-aquatic and 62 obligatory aquatic macrophytes. The latter group had 35% submerged, 15% free floating, 31% rooted floating and 19% marshy plant species. The comparison of growth form showed 64% annuals and remaining 36% perennial plants. The diversity indices resulted, Simpson complement index-0.561, Shannon-Weiner index-1.367, Species richness index 3.079 and Species evenness index-0.156. The study showed that the lake provides suitable habitats for existence of a diverse group of macrophytes but still due to large invasion of few species has threatened the lake which needs to be managed properly to restore the health of this natural resource for the benefit of mankind.