Assessment of monocot diversity in some grasslands of Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha, India

Dr. Kamal L. Barik

Volume : VI, Issue : XII, December - 2017

Assessment of monocot diversity in some grasslands of Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha, India

Dr. Kamal L. Barik

Abstract :

The monocot diversity of some grasslands in Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary (86⁰ 26�15� to 86⁰ 45�E and 21⁰ 20� to 21⁰ 27�N) was assessed during July 2016 to June 2017. The monocot flora in grasslands of Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary comprised of 39 grass and sedge species. They are grouped under three families – poaceae, cyperaceae and commelinaceae. The members of the family poaceae dominated the sanctuary. The family poaceae alone contributed 64.1% among the monocots whereas the share of percentage was found to be less in case of family commelinaceae (7.69%). The cyperaceae exhibited 28.21 percentages among the family of monocot. The study reveals that the sanctuary is rich in monocot diversity of grasses, sedges and other associated herbs. However, the variation in species composition in grassland of Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary might be due to the topography, geographical distribution, soil characteristic, climatic conditions and biotic interference i.e. the grazing practices of wild herbivores of the sanctuary and other domesticated animals of the locality.