Analysis of Riparian Vegetation Diversity at Khanda Gad Stream, Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

The floral diversity found along water streams and rivers is known as riparian vegetation. It is a zone of transition between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Riparian vegetation helps to maintain nutrient balance and energy flow in ecosystems, as well as provides a variety of resources to aquatic mites and other macroinvertebrates. It also helps to control sediment load in water bodies, which affects water quality. The purpose of this study was to add new information about the status of riparian vegetation in the hill-stream Khanda Gad and to investigate its impact on the occurrence of aquatic mites. During the current study, 45 plant species from 31 different families were collected and identified. The Rosaceae were identified as the dominant family.