Quantitative Analysis of Aquatic and Associated Macrophytes in Selected Wetlands of North Dinajpur District, West Bengal

Abstract

Aquatic macrophytes are the taxonomically most diverse and important biotic component of any aquatic ecosystem. They perform significant role in both structural and functional maintenance of the ecosystem. Depth, density, diversity and types of macrophytes also represent as bioindicator of overall water body health. The current research deals with the diversity of macrophytes from 3 selected wetlands of North Dinajpur District. Extensive wetland survey was conducted from November 2021 to March 2023, reporting the presence of total 31 species belonging to 20 families. Asteraceae is the most dominant family followed by Cyperaceae and Polygonaceae. Among various growth forms, helophyte with 12 species showed qualitative dominance over hyperhydrate(06 species) followed by pleustophyte (05 species) and vittate (04 species) consecutively decreased in other form. According to Raunkiaer’s life form classification therophytes (24 species) showed the dominance over other 5 life form followed by hydrophytes and hemicryptophytes (02 species each) Different ecological parameters such as dominance, diversity, species richness and evenness have also been described in the present study.