Distribution and seasonal variation of vascular plant species at Jahangirnagar University campus

Abstract

This study represents the current flora composition and its association with the wetland of Jahangirnagar University. Wetlands support various plant and animal species and serve as vital habitats for many organisms, contributing to the overall ecological balance. This study aimed to investigate the flora's association at the lakes' banks. The association of the flora was determined by the relevé method. Two natural and comparatively less disturbed lake banks and one ridge area were chosen for relevé during the rainy and the winter seasons. Three 10x10 m2 relevé/plots were delineated and tried to cover the presence of the most number of species. A list of plants by strata with Braun-Blanquet ratings had been prepared for each relevé of the study areas. This study revealed that all forms of flora (trees, shrubs, creepers, and herbs) were on the banks of the lakes, and their seasonal variation was slightly remarkable. The results showed that Mikania micrantha from the Asteraceae family dominated relevé 1covering 50-75% of the plot area, and its rating was four (highest in this plot) on the Braun-Blanquet scale. Melastoma malabathricum and Clerondendrome viscosum covered around 25-50% of the area of the plot and rated three on the Braun-Blanquet scale. Cordia nodosa and Dipterocarpus turbinatus covered 25-50% of the relevé 2 and rated three on the Braun-Blanquet scale. Relevé 3 had 25 to 50% of Pleioblastus Argentpostriatus (rated three on the Braun-Blanquet scale) and 5-25% of Clerondendron Viscosum and Mikania micrantha (rated two on the Braun-Blanquet scale). In winter relevé 1 had the highest abundance of Brachiaria mutica (rated four on the Braun-Blanquet scale), and other species like Melastoma malabathricum, Mikanian micrantha, Thunbergia alata, and Centella asiatica had 25-50% of cover (rated three on the Braun-Blanquet scale). Relevé 2 had different species cover, where Dipterocarpus turbinatus found more than 75% abundance (rated five on the Braun-Blanquet scale) and Swietenia mahagoni covered 50-70% (rated four on the Braun-Blanquet scale). In relevé 3, we found 25-50% cover of Clerondendrome viscosum and Urena lobata (rated three on the Braun-Blanquet scale); Lantana camara and Ipomoea aquatica (5-25% cover, rated two on the Braun-Blanquet scale). Wetlands are invaluable assets within the ecosystem of the JU campus, and the records of floral diversity can help conserve the biodiversity of the area.