Download ugc sponsored minor research project entitled”studies on the

UGC SPONSORED MINOR RESEARCH PROJECT ENTITLED”STUDIES ON THE DIVERSITY AND
DISTRIBUTION OF MACROPHYTIC FLORA OF THE AQUATIC SYSTEMS OF VAIKOM BLOCK
PANCHAYATH”
Principal Investigator: Sreekumari P, Dept. of Botany
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Rivers and river beds of Kerala are well known for their diversity of flora and fauna.
River Muvattupuzha and its tributaries are no exception to this. Vembanadu back waters outlining
one side of Vaikom enhances this diversity. Proper identification of these members is essential for
their conservation and utilization.
Work on Indian aquatic macrophytes are scanty and pertains to restricted areas and
localities. The aquatic flora of the study area needs proper study and documentation as it faces fast
degradation in various ways. As a part of urbanization the wetlands are being converted to vast
residential areas making the rich vegetation vanish forever. The present investigation aims at
documenting the aquatic macrophytic flora of Vaikom Block Panchayath, their phenology and
distribution.
The study was conducted by periodical visit of the sites at panchayat areas of Chempu,
Maravanthuruthu, Thalayazham, TV Puram, Udayanapuram and Vechoor. Aquatic angiosperms in
different stages were collected from all types of water bodies, paddy fields and marshes. Details were
documented along with their photodocumentation.
106 species belonging to 39 families were documented. Family Poaceae dominated in species
richness and number of representing members. This was followed by Family Compositae,
Srophulariaceae and Cyperaceae. 25 of them were found to be used in folklore or indigenous systems of
medicine .Many of them were on the verge of extinction due to unscientific collection and change in
agricultural practices. Pistia stratioles and Eichhornia crassipes were used for manuring plantains and
coconut trees and Premna corymbosa as an insect repellent in poultry farms. It was noted that the
exotic weeds have invaded the surface of aquatic systems, creating navigational problems as well as
retarding the growth of indigenous flora. Cleaning of water bodies, river sand mining and seasonal
increase in salinity of water pose serious threat to the diversity of angiosperms.
Even in these unfavourable conditions a large number of species thrive well. Awareness may be
created among the people so that the aquatic systems may survive and support the lush green
inhabitants for a sustainable ecosystem.
Further studies are essential so as to utilize the flora effectively with scientific support and this
present study can be utilized as base line information for suitable protective measures to conserve the
available diversity.