1. INTRODUCTION

Angiosperms are fundamental to the majority of terrestrial ecosystems and human sustenance due to the food, pharmaceuticals, and raw materials they supply. Biodiversity of angiosperms in any geographical region has an immense influence on the geographical regions. Biodiversity, an abbreviation for biological diversity, refers to the total quantity, variety, and variability of living creatures, together with the diversity of their ecosystems [1]. Biological diversity refers to the variety of living creatures, encompassing diversity among species, between species, and within ecosystems, as well as the ecological processes in which they are involved [2]. Biodiversity is significantly dependent on several topographical and climatic factors. Several workers reported that riverine regions of West Bengal are rich in plant biodiversity [3]. Biodiversity has lately become a matter of scientific and political significance, especially due to rising extinction rates attributed to human activities [4]. The significance of biodiversity has been widely acknowledged in recent decades, with several countries asserting that it is crucial for facilitating the sustainable growth of diverse human activities [5]. However, most of the focus has been fixed on forested areas and conserved areas. Aside from protected areas and reserve forests, scientific research on the biodiversity of unique ecosystems in India is scarce, similar to other regions globally [6]. Currently, biodiversity is experiencing a significant decline worldwide, underscoring the necessity of conservation planning [6]. Biodiversity management includes the preservation of current flora and fauna, re-vegetation of deforested areas, reintroduction of locally extinct species, and the introduction of appropriate plant and animal species [5].

The Gangetic Plains, especially in West Bengal, are one of the most fertile and biologically diverse areas in India [7]. The Lower Gangetic Plains of the Indian subcontinent are one of the world’s largest fluvial/deltaic plains [8]. The Indo-Gangetic Plain divides the peninsula from the Himalayas. It is the most densely inhabited area of India [9]. The Lower Gangetic Plains, located southeast of the Middle Gangetic Plains, constitute the delta region formed by the confluence of the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers before their convergence with the Bay of Bengal. The Lower Gangetic plain region has tremendous biodiversity, especially in aquatic species and mangroves inside the marshy forests of the Sundarbans, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site [10]. Although the region is very important in the perspective of taxonomy and ecology, only a few parts of the region are critically studied to enumerate plant biodiversity [10-12]. Given the essential roles of vegetation, it is imperative to enhance our understanding of its diverse characteristics and patterns, which are vital for biodiversity and conservation management by offering habitats for wildlife and supporting the ecologically sustainable management of natural resources. This study concentrated on evaluating the vegetation features of the unexplored areas of the Lower Gangetic Plains in West Bengal. The region between Katwa and Kalna in the Purba Bardhaman district is one of the less studied areas, which is situated within the Lower Gangetic alluvial zone, noted for its fertile soil, temperate temperature, and enduring agricultural heritage. This study seeks to record the diversity of angiospermic plants in this area and evaluate their socioeconomic significance based on their use in local communities. Given the increasing population density and alterations in land use, comprehending plant diversity and its applications are essential for devising sustainable lifestyles and conserving biodiversity. Rural tribal populations globally rely on wild plants to meet their nutritional needs, which are essential for their food security [13,14].

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The current study offers a foundational understanding of the taxonomical characteristics of the study sites. In this study, 162 species from 46 families have been recorded [Table 1]. The Gangetic region is the largest and most significant agro-climatic zone, located in the northern and northern and northeastern part of India. Plant communities of some study sites have been shown in Figure 4. Among the species, 129 are dicot and 33 are monocot [Figure 1]. The plant assemblage includes 105 herbs, 28 shrubs and 29 tree species [Figure 2]. Families such as Poaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, and Asteraceae are the dominant in comparison to other families [Figure 3]. Several angiospermic plants growing in the region are under threat from an array of reasons. Floral assemblages in the riparian zones of the river serve as good markers of both upland and aquatic plant communities, facilitating the assessment of the river’s health in a specific location. Riparian zones serve as the interface between terrestrial and aquatic environments, facilitating the exchange of materials, nutrients, and organisms in both groundwater and surface water [19]. The terrestrial borders of riparian zones often extend laterally to the limits of flooding, which, in certain systems, may extend beyond the definition of the stream channel. The riparian buffer relies on both the characteristics of the stream and the diverse elements of the adjacent environment [20]. In the past few decades, riparian vegetation has garnered attention in conservation initiatives due to its scarcity, the dangers it encounters, and its significance in preserving water quality, habitats for fish and animals, and recreational possibilities.

Table 1: Detailed list of plant specimens as collected from the study area.

Figure 1: Graphical representation of dicot and monocot in study sites. [Click here to view]

Figure 2: Graphical representation of Herbs, Shrubs and Trees in study sites. [Click here to view]

Figure 3: Graphical representation of Family wise species number. [Click here to view]

Figure 4: Plant communities of different study sites of Lower-Gangetic Plains along Katwa and Kalna stretch. [Click here to view]

Floristic diversity should be assessed at both local and regional levels to provide information on the present status necessary for developing an effective conservation management strategy [21]. Aquatic and wetland angiosperms are exceptional plant types that sustain the livelihoods of millions residing in their vicinity [16]. The work is entirely based on primary sources, focusing on the utilization of locally accessible plants by tribal communities as home remedies. The documentation of flora is essential for the study of riverine ecology and faunal research, as several plant species exhibit direct or indirect interdependence [22]. The ecological integrity of any river ecosystem is directly related to the integrity of the plant communities that make up and surround the river catchments and their ecological characteristics [23-25].

4. CONCLUSION

The study elucidates the richness and distribution of plant species present in the Lower Gangetic Plain. Diverse plant groups exist along the banks of the Ganga River in this area. The region functions as a dynamic and diversified mixed ecosystem, playing a crucial role in sustaining the equilibrium between aquatic and terrestrial habitats. These locations function as homes for a diverse array of flora and allied organisms, all of which depend on the availability of water and the distinctive environmental conditions present in these places.

5. AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS

All authors made substantial contributions to conception and design, acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data; took part in drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content; agreed to submit to the current journal; gave final approval of the version to be published; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work. All the authors are eligible to be an author as per the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) requirements/guidelines.

6. FUNDING

There is no funding to report.

7. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The authors report no financial or any other conflicts of interest in this work.

8. ETHICAL APPROVALS

This study does not involve experiments on animals or human subjects.

9. DATA AVAILABILITY

All the data is available with the authors and shall be provided upon request.

10. PUBLISHER’S NOTE

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. This journal remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published institutional affiliation.

11. USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)-ASSISTED TECHNOLOGY

The authors declare that they have not used artificial intelligence (AI)-tools for writing and editing of the manuscript, and no images were manipulated using AI.

REFERENCES