Diversity of wetland flora in Gujarat: A review

Wetland is an area in which soil is covered or saturated by water. They are the most significant ecosystem on the Earth. In this review paper the global scenario of distribution of wetlands, and distribution patterns of different types of wetlands and their phytodiversity in India and specifically in Gujrat is discussed.. Worldwide there are more than 2,400 Ramsar sites that cover an area of 2.5 million square kilometers. India has distinctive wetland ecosystems due to its varied terrain and climate conditions. Total 730 species of wetland plants are found including 114 endemic species in India. Among all the Indian states, Gujarat has the largest area of wetlands, The first widely used classification categorized wetlands into mainly 5 types: marine, estuarine, lacustrine, riverine and palustrine. The state contains four Ramsar sites: Wadhvana Wetland, Thol Lake, Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary and Khijadiya Wetland, and 8 wetlands of National Importance. Gujrat has diverse range of wetland vegetation including aquatic plants like Typha, Hydrilla, Nelumbo, Nymphaea. Sedges and grass vegetation dominated by Cyperaceae Family, Tree species include various species of Vachellia, Salvadora, Prosopis. Coastal wetlands has mangroves including Avicennia, Suaeda, Bruguiera and Rhizophora.