Surface fresh water bodies like ponds show a
definite pattern in distribution of plant species. The kind and density of this
floristic composition is mainly attributed to two factors. First, the inflow of
organic and inorganic residues from the catchment watershed area. Second, the
direct and indirect biotic interactions with the pond ecosystem including human
component. Thus, the presence of specific flora could be well linked to its
overall management practices since both the above mentioned factors are largely
influenced by human activities. This paper deals with the studies on identifying
such habitat specific plant indicators for management pattern, mainly submerged
and floating plants.
It comprises the result of ongoing studies
on selected ponds from June 1999 in upland
region of U.K. district of Karnataka. The methodology and results are discussed
here keeping the objective of developing locality specific plant indicators for
the effective management of catchment area in general, that pond n particular.
This study intends to generate such simple but specific indicators which would
become handy in effective management of ponds by community participation.
Address: Department of Pharmacognosy (Medicinal Botany),
S. D. M. College, Ujire, D. K. District,
Karnataka, India E-mail: kkorse@rediffmail.com
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