PTERIDOFLORA DIVERSITY IN ANGUL DISTRICT OF ODISHA, INDIA
Author
SMARANIKA NAYAK, PRADEEP KUMAR CHAND1 AND 1KUNJA BIHARI SATAPATHY2
Post Graduate Department of Botany, Utkal University, Vani Vihar, Bhubaneswar-751004, Odisha, School of Applied Sciences, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Odisha, Bhubaneswar, India, Email: kbs_bot@rediffmail.com Page Number:312-321
Date of online publication: 31st December 2021
DOI:10.5958/2455-7218.2021.00042.5
Abstract
The 'Satkosia Gorge Wildlife Sanctuary' of Mahanadi river catchment area in Angul district of Odisha shelters numerous endemic and threatened species of flora and fauna. An exhaustive survey undertaken in the selected forest pockets in the district at different seasons during the academic year 2016-2019 to explore, identify and document the distribution and abundance of diverse plant groups with special reference to pteridophytic flora which revealed a total number of 87 species of pteridophytes belonging to 50 genera and 24 families. Pteris was found to be the most dominant genus followed by Selaginella, Pyrrosia and Lepisorus. Among the families, Pteridaceae was observed to be the most dominant one represented with 17 species followed by Polypodiaceae with 10 species. The results also revealed some promising medicinal pteridophytes such as Dicranopteris linearis, Diplazium esculentum, Dryopteris cochleata, Equisetum ramosissimum, Lygodium flexuosum, Marsilea minuta, Selaginella bryopteris being used by the ethnic communities for different medicinal purposes. Further it is quite pertinent to mention that increasing anthropogenic pressure resulting in the destruction of forest ecosystem besides development of infrastructure facilities, establishment of mining industries in the district are profound reasons for gradual declining in terrestrial and aquatic pteridophytic diversity of the study area. Therefore, there is an urgent need of in situ conservation by developing proper and adequate action plans for their conservation.
Key Words: Angul, Pteridophytes, Diversity, Odisha
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