2020, Vol. 8, Issue 4, Part B

author(s)
M Padma Sorna Subramanian, A Saravana Ganthi and K Subramonian

abstract
Point Calimere is an area of high biodiversity, with many unique species of animals and birds. The Flagship species of the Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary (PCWBS) is near threatened Blackbuck antelope, the sole member of the Antilope family in India and the most numerous large animals in the sanctuary. It has the largest population of Blackbuck in South India. Back water channels, Munniyapan Lake and Nalla thaneerkulam are the vital aquatic ecosystems, which provide food, oxygen and shelter to the aquatic organisms and birds. The water bodies present in sanctuary and its adjoining area rich in hydrophyes which has not been investigated. So the present study focused on broad investigation of distribution and diversity of hydrophytes of this area. Due to the presence of halophytic and fresh water aquatic habitats, variability of hydrophytes are high in the study area. Totally 59 species are recorded from 25 families. Family Cyperaceae is dominant, which is followed by Amaranthaceae and Plantaginaceae. Totally 51 herbs are recorded from the study area. Different morpho-ecologic groups recorded, 15 species of emergent anchored, 34 species of marshy plants, five species of anchored with floating leaves, one free floating, two submerged anchored and two suspended hydrophytes were recorded. Totally 29 medicinal plants are recorded in the study area. The present work exhibited the database of hydrophytes in Point Calimere Wildlife and Birds Sanctuary, which will help in future work for its conversation and to maintain the local biodiversity.