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LIFE-FORMS AND BIOLOGICAL SPECTRUM OF THE AQUATIC FLORA OF AMIRGADH TALUKA, ,

GUJARAT

J.N. PATEL AND N.K. PATEL*

Universal Impact BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT, R. R. MEHTA COLLEGE OF Factor 0.9285:2012; 1.2210:2013 SCIENCE AND C.L. PARIKH COLLEGE OF COMMERCE,

Index Copernicus - 385001. ICV 2011: 5.09, 2012: 6.42, 2013: *SHEATH M. N. SCIENCE COLLEGE, BOTANY 15.8, 2014:89.16 , 2015:78.30 DEPARTMENT, PATAN. NAAS Rating 2012 : 1.3; Corresponding author’s e-mail: [email protected] 2013-16:2.69 2017-18: 3.98 ABSTRACT: SJIF 2012: 3.947, 2013: 4.802 Life form is a community is generally defined as the sum of adaptation Infobase Index 2015:4.56 plants to climate. Humboldt (1805) formulated the concept of life form for Cosmos Impact Factor which he used the term ‘Vegetative form’. Since the different systems have 2015: 4.366 been divided by many ecologists for the description and classification of Received on: plant life forms, (Warming, 1909; Raunkiaer, 1934; Braun-Blanquet, 1932; 24th December 2017 Revised on: Christian & Perry, 1935). The compared with the percentage values of nd 2 January 2018 different life forms in biological spectrum given by Raunkiaer. Accepted on: 10th January 2018 KEYWORDS: Life-Forms, Biological spectrum,Aquatic flora, Amirgadh Published on: 1st February 2018 Taluka.

Volume No. INTRODUCTION: Online & Print Many of plant species live in freshwater habitats around the world: along 96 (2018) Page No. edges, on the surface, or at the bottom of shallow lakes and ponds. In 01 to 03 temporarily flooded low areas and meadows; at seeps and springs (cienegas)

in hill or mountain regions; in flowing water of streams and rivers; rooted in Life Sciences Leaflets is a international open waterlogged soils; and along any other natural or human-produced drainage access print & e system. "Freshwater wetlands" occur from below sea level to some very journal, peer reviewed, lofty alpine habitats, where water may persist throughout the year or where worldwide abstract listed, published every it can be very ephemeral. Normally we classify a freshwater wetland as a month with ISSN, RNI place where at least half of the species found there are truly aquatic plant Free- membership, species. downloads and access. http://lifesciencesleaflets.petsd.org/ PEER-REVIEWED Page | 1

Life Sciences Leaflets FREE DOWNLOAD ISSN 2277-4297(Print)0976–1098(Online)

Many species of aquatic plants are essentially cosmopolitan, meaning that they are widely distributed around the world. Some of the widest distributions are attributable to human activities. Humans have accidentally (sometimes intentionally) transported seeds, fruits, or vegetative clones from one pond or watershed to another, but many of the cosmopolitan distributions are attributable instead to birds, particularly waterfowl, which inadvertently transport the plant prop gules when lodged in their features or trapped in mud on the feet.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: STUDY AREA: Amirgadh Taluka is situated in the Banaskantha district. The Banaskantha district is located at 230 33’ to 240 45’ north latitude and 710 03’ to 730 2’ east longitude. It is in the north western part of state. The Amirgadh taluka is situated at 24.41321 latitude and 72.65055 longitude at the Banaskantha district of North Gujarat. Out of the total area of 10757 sq. km. of the district an area of about 1106.59 sq. km. is 10.29 per cent of forest area of Geographical area at 2006-2007 out of total 1106.59 sq km area in Banaskantha district is covered by forest, Reserved forest area is 519.67 sq km, 13.03 sq km protected forest area and 573.89 sq km unclassed forest area. In Banaskantha district, 9858 sq km geographical area dense forest and 370 sq km open forest (Department of forest Gujarat state 2007). These sites include locations upstream, within and downstream of the proposed dam, check dam, pond, lacks, river and springs of study area. Intensive and extensive field observations were undertaken during different seasons covering a period of two years (2015-2017). Aquatic plants were collected and identified. The direction and classification of life-forms were according to Raunkiaer (1937).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: In the present study, the Raunkiaer’s system of life-form classification has been followed. 62 species collected from the study area are grouped in to the following life-form catagories as Submersed (14), Free floating (5), Floating leaved-rooted (6), Floating mat-rooted (4), Amphibious (22) and Shoreline (11). The phyto spectrum of the present study shows variation from the normal biological spectrum of Raunkiaer(1934). The percentage of the submersed (22.58%), free floating (8.06%), Floating leaved- rooted (9.68%), Floating mat-rooted (6.45%), Amphibious (35.49%) and Shoreline (17.75%). The percentage of the amphibious (35.49) is higher and Floating mat- rooted (6.45) lower. The percentage of submersed (22.58) is lower than amphibious. The percentage of free floating (8.06) and floating leaved rooted (9.68) are higher than floating mat rooted.

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Life Sciences Leaflets FREE DOWNLOAD ISSN 2277-4297(Print)0976–1098(Online)

REFERENCES: Braun-Blanquent, J. 1932. Plant Sociology (Transal, by Fullur, G.D. & Conard, H.S.) McGraw Hill, New York.

Christian,C.S. and R.A.Perry 1935. The systematic distribution of plant communities by the use of symbols, J.Ecol 41: 100-105.

Humboldt, A 1805. Essai sur la Geographie des Plante Paris.

Raunkiaer, C. 1934, The life-forms of Plants and statistical plant Geography, Clarendon Press Oxford. P.632

Raunkiaer, C. 1937, Plant life forms, Clarendon Oxford.

Warming, E. 1990. Oecology of Plants an Introduction to the study of Plant Communities, Clarendon Press Oxford.

Table 1: The life forms and Biological spectrum of the Aquatic flora of Amirgadh Taluka

Life forms Submersed Free Floating Floating Amphibious Shoreline floating leaved- mat- rooted rooted Total Species 14 05 06 04 22 11

Percentage of 22.58 8.06 9.68 6.45 35.49 17.75 species

Note: Su : Submersed Fr : Free floating Fl : Floating leaved-rooted Fm : Floating mat-rooted Am : Amphibious Sh : Shoreline

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