Biological Spectrum and Floristic Composition of Wetland Vegetation in Aravalli District, Gujarat, India

Abstract

Wetlands serve as ecological hotspots that sustain a high degree of biodiversity, particularly in regions where climatic and edaphic conditions vary considerably. The present study aims to document the floristic composition and determine the biological spectrum of wetland vegetation in the Aravalli District, Gujarat. A total of 450 lentic wetlands covering 3534.34 ha were identified, out of which 12 representative wetlands (350.75 ha) were selected using stratified sampling across six talukas. Additionally, three perennial rivers—Vatrak, Mazum, and Meshwo—were chosen as riparian study sites due to their continuous water flow and ecological significance. Floristic surveys were carried out over three consecutive years (2020–2023) across monsoon, winter, and summer seasons to capture seasonal variations in plant diversity.  The present study documented a total of 328 plant species belonging to 232 genera and 80 families from the wetlands of Aravalli District, Gujarat. Dicotyledons dominated the flora with 80.48% of species, followed by monocotyledons (18.60%) and pteridophytes (1%). Genus-level analysis revealed Cyperus as the most species-rich genus, followed by Ipomoea, Euphorbia, Ficus, Indigofera, and Senna. Tecomella undulata was identified as the only locally and globally endangered species recorded in the study area. These findings highlight the rich phytodiversity and ecological significance of wetlands in the Aravalli District and provide essential insights for biodiversity conservation and management. This study establishes a baseline inventory of wetland phytodiversity in Aravalli District, Gujarat, revealing the dominance of dicotyledons and herbaceous species. The findings emphasise the ecological significance of wetlands in providing essential ecosystem services such as water storage, nutrient cycling, and habitat support for wildlife, including migratory birds. Given the proximity of these wetlands to important biodiversity regions and Ramsar landscapes, the study underscores the necessity for continuous ecological monitoring and habitat restoration. Overall, the generated dataset provides a crucial foundation for long-term conservation planning and sustainable management of wetland ecosystems in the Aravalli region.