Dynamics of Changes Pertaining to Aquatic Weeds in a Protected Waterbody from Yamuna Floodplains

Upma Manral; Syed Ainul Hussain

doi:10.36808/if/2017/v143i11/119701

Dynamics of Changes Pertaining to Aquatic Weeds in a Protected Waterbody from Yamuna Floodplains

Authors

Upma Manral Wildlife Institute of India, Post Box # 18, Chandrabani, Dehradun, Uttarakhand
Syed Ainul Hussain Wildlife Institute of India, Post Box # 18, Chandrabani, Dehradun, Uttarakhand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36808/if/2017/v143i11/119701

Keywords:

Aquatic Macrophytes, Eichhornia crassipes, Okhla Bird Sanctuary, Pistia stratiotes, Urban Waterbody.

Abstract

Authors assessed the changes in extent of aquatic weeds over a period of ten years through perusal of three studies and field observations in Okhla Bird Sanctuary (OBS), India. A total of eleven aquatic weeds were recorded in three growth form categories viz., free-floating, rooted-floating and rooted-submerged. These plants dominated more than 50% of the aquatic habitat in the Sanctuary during the study period. A number of anthropogenic disturbances like water level and flow regime alteration and pollution have made the Sanctuary highly vulnerable to biological invasions predominantly by Eichhornia crassipes. It formed the dominant plant communities in areas with standing and open water. This study also highlights the presence of Pistia stratiotes in the OBS, which was not recorded previously from the area. The weed infestation in Sanctuary is a symptom of broader watershed management problems which include discharge of untreated wastewater into the river system. Thus, to ensure habitat integrity and long term survival of biodiversity of the region, treatment of wastewater and regular monitoring of community dynamics should be included in Sanctuary management.

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