Nibedita Das, Bishal Hazarika, Marchia K. Sangma, Mautushi Das, Kishor Deka, Sneha Hasnu, Debashree Kakati, Debashree Saikia, Lipika Lahkar, Parismita Sarma, Rajashree Bordoloi, Parsis Kandulna and Muzaharul Islam
Abstract
This study investigates the influence of soil properties on plant diversity in the Boragaon Disposal Site, a major dumpsite in Guwahati, compared to an adjacent undisturbed area. Soil analysis revealed significant differences, with the affected area exhibiting higher alkalinity (pH 8.06), moisture content (21.6%), waterholding capacity (72.87%), and electrical conductivity (1.579 dS/m), along with lower bulk density (0.833 g/cm³) than the unaffected site (pH 7.7, moisture 7.8%, WHC 51.74%, EC 0.581 dS/m, bulk density 1.058 g/cm³). Floristic surveys recorded 32 plant species from 19 families in the affected area, dominated by Ricinus communis (IVI = 63.31), while the unaffected site hosted 31 species from 16 families, with Eleusine indica (IVI = 69.57) as the dominant species. Species diversity was marginally higher in the affected area (Shannon index = 3.128) compared to the control site (2.979), indicating that waste deposition modifies soil conditions, favoring specific plant communities. Distribution patterns also varied, with contagious distribution (16 species) prevalent in the affected area and regular distribution (15 species) dominating the unaffected site. The findings suggest that long-term waste accumulation alters soil properties, facilitating ecological succession and promoting distinct floristic assemblages shaped by anthropogenic disturbances. This study highlights the role of modified soil conditions in shaping plant diversity in degraded ecosystems and selecting suitable plant species for further phytoremediation studies under control circumstances, which will be supportive in understanding the role of soil properties in vegetation formation and growth on such sites.