Arvind Dhargawe and Mrunal Kale
Abstract
Wetlands are highly productive, biodiversity-rich ecosystems that support diverse plant and animal communities, sustain river flow, and improve water quality by filtering pollutants. Maharashtraâs Bhandaradistrict, part of the Vidarbha region often called the âlake districtâ for its abundance of lakes, ponds, rivers, and reservoirs, harbors a wide range of wetland habitats. This study assessed the diversity and distribution of hydrophytes across six wetland sites in Bhandara district - Bhandara (W1), Rawanwadi (W2), Chandpur (W3), Pauni (W4), Vahi (W5), and Gose Dam (W6) - through field surveys conducted during the monsoon, winter, and summer seasons. A total of 265 plant species belonging to 58 families were recorded, with Cyperaceae the most dominant family (60 species), followed by Poaceae (34 species) and Asteraceae (18 species); other significant families included Hydrocharitaceae, Plantaginaceae, Onagraceae, Amaranthaceae, Lythraceae, and Nymphaeaceae. Plant diversity peaked during the monsoon season, coinciding with optimal moisture availability. These findings show that the wetlands of Bhandara district support a rich, habitat specific hydrophytic flora that plays a vital role in maintaining ecological balance and stability, underscoring the need for their conservation.