Multiple Site Dissimilarities of Herbaceous Species Due to Coal Fly Ash Dumping Based Soil Heavy Metal Toxication

Abstract

The present study analyzes the determinants and patterns of the regional, local, and differential plant diversity of two different sites with similar climatic but varied edaphic factors. This research was undertaken to study the plant diversity and population structure as a consequence of variation in the soil quality between two biotopes: Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya in Koni (site-I) and National Thermal Power Corporation in Sipat (site-II). The soil of site-I was found to be fertile and showed rich vegetation. On the other hand, the soil of site II was found to be contaminated with heavy metals, which impacts the flora of the region. The ecology of both sites was studied, and their quantitative and qualitative aspects were compared and contrasted. The abundance, density, and richness of the plants in site II were fairly lower than in site-I, which was confirmed by utilizing Simpson’s and Shannon’s diversity indices. Many of the species collected from site II were heavy metal accumulators and could also serve as indicators of heavy metal toxicity.