Status, ecological services and management of aquatic weeds of floodplain wetlands in India: An overview

Abstract

Floodplain wetlands of India are biologically rich and productive ecosystems that sup port unique aquatic flora and fauna. Covering an area of about 0.354 million ha, the floodplain wetlands are a major source of self-recruiting small indigenous fish (SIF). They offer vast potential for both capture and culture-based fisheries, securing liveli hood and nutrition for a large section of the population. In addition to tremendous anthropogenic pressures and climatic variability, these resources have experienced a significant reduction in their geographical and areal extent. Aquatic macrophytes in festation in Indian floodplain wetlands is posing serious challenges to their ecological and economic functioning. Degradation and shrinkage of these important resources have been observed over the past few decades, attributable to the spread of aquatic weed infestation, warranting urgent attention in regard to their conservation and res toration to address their impending challenges. The present study compiled a total of 530 species under 103 families of aquatic macrophyte, representing four Indian states of the Ganga and Brahmaputra river basin. Among these 530 species, 85 spe cies exhibit medicinal values and 30 species are edible, whereas some other species are used for basketry, cordage, fodder and as dye. Accordingly, the present study re views the present status of the floodplain wetlands, their common aquatic weeds and their ecological services. It also synthesizes the latest knowledge and discusses the challenging issues of aquatic weed management and their control measures directed to the sustainable management of the aquatic resource