Herb Diversity of Some Habitats of Pune City

Abstract

Herbs are non-woody seasonal plants that inhabit various habitats. The herbaceous flora of Pune city has been documented for a long time, but there is limited analysis of its distribution across different habitat types. This study aims to explore species richness across habitats, focusing on Katraj hills, and examine the sharing of the flora between hills and urban areas. The term "herb" is used broadly to include all non-tree flowering plants, such as shrubs and climbers. The flora of Katraj Ghats serves as the baseline document, covering the wild flora in Pune city environs. The study area includes Katraj, Pachagaon, Law College hills, and the Ganeshkhind campus. The distribution remarks from Katraj flora are assigned to different habitat types based on human influence, ranging from low to high impact areas. The herb flora of Pune city environs is estimated to consist of approximately 600 species. Certain species are widespread, while others are confined to specific wilderness areas like Katraj. Human-influenced areas, such as gardens and roadside locations, harbor nearly half of the herb species. The Mutha river hosts over 80% of the aquatic flowering plants recorded in the city, while seasonal puddles have the lowest species richness. Changes in herbaceous flora due to human influence and development projects have raised concerns about the potential loss of species. Herbaceous plants play a significant role in the flora of Pune city environs, with a diverse distribution across different habitat types. Human influence appears to alter species composition, but overall species richness is maintained or even enhanced. Understanding the distribution and conservation of these herbs is crucial for preserving the local biodiversity.