Study on sedges and grasses at the point calimere wildlife and bird sanctuary, Tamil Nadu

Abstract

A survey of the vegetation of an area is chiefly important. It gives the diverse and poorly documented nature of the state’s vascular flora. Surveys can be categorized into regional, sub-regional, local and single-species surveys. At all scales, floristic surveys have provided details on individual taxon distribution, identified previously unknown or unrecognized taxa, have located presumably extinct taxa and substantially contributed to information on the distribution of threatened flora. The present study documented the diversity of sedges and grasses in the Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu. A total of 34 species was recorded. Out of the 34 species identified in the study sites, 15 species were belonging to Cyperaceae and 19 were belonging to Poaceae. Cyperus is the most dominant genera in Cyperaceae with 9 species. Thirteen species of geophytes also recorded in the study area. Presence of sedges and grasses prevent the soil erosion in the coastal region. Conservation of this vegetation is an urgent need to preserve the forest ecosystem.