Flora of the Wetlands: A Documentation of Lower to Higher Plant Groups from Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

The aim of the research was an inventory of macrophytes and algal assemblages in freshwater wetlands, which is vital for evaluating ecosystem health and interpreting ecological processes. This study marks a pioneering initiative to record both macrophytes and algal communities across several local water bodies in the Gautam Buddha Nagar district of western Uttar Pradesh, India. The survey identified 35 higher plant species, representing 31 genera and 22 families. There were several genera present belonging to the kingdoms Protista and Bacteria, as well as to the phyla Euglenophyta and Heterokontophyta (47 genera from 33 families). Among the higher plants, distinct ecological groups emerged: three species were floating-leaved, five were submerged, eight were free-floating, and 19 were emergent. Poaceae with seven species was the dominant family followed by Araceae (three species). Field observations also highlighted the widespread presence of five major invasive species, Alternanthera philoxeroides, Eichhornia crassipes, Pistia stratiotes, Phragmites karka, and Typha domingensis—all actively encroaching upon the wetland habitats. Algal assemblages displayed marked seasonal variation. Cyanobacterial taxa such as Anabaena, Arthrospira, Cylindrospermum, Lyngbya, Microcystis, and Synechococcus were dominant during the summer months. In contrast, diatoms prevailed in December at Bodaki, Beel Akbarpur, and Chithara. By February, Stigeoclonium species became prominent in Chithara, whereas Chlorococcum dominated algal communities in Beel Akbarpur. Surrounding agricultural fields were largely characterised by Spirogyra species, while long chains of Fragilaria represented the most common diatoms across sites. Overall, the assessment reveals that several water bodies experience excessive algal proliferation, particularly of Microcystis, leading to odour problems and rendering the water unfit for domestic use. A key recommendation emerging from this study is the adoption of community-based conservation and management approaches, recognising that local communities maintain continuous and direct interactions with these ecosystems.