Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project

Picture: First level succession occurs in newCharland (Char Janajat, 10.5km U/S of BR, Janjira)Figure 3-21: Flora in the Project areaPicture: Grass bush in Charland(Mazirkandi, 2.5km D/S of BR, Janjira)Charland vegetation: The species diversity of the Charland is comparatively lower than otherecosystems. Most of the plant species in the Charland are grass type. Vegetation in theCharland exhibit a pattern of succession depending on how long the Charland has beenpermanent. Rattlepod (Crotolaria retusa), Tall reed (Phragmites karka) is the first introducerwhereas Mutha (Cyperus sp), Kolmi (Ipomoea sp), Vetiver Grass (Vetiveria zizanioides)Durba (Cynodon sp) etc are second level successor. Next in succession, some bushy plantspecies like Blue Morning Glory (Ipomoea fistulosa) grows.Aquatic Flora47. Aquatic Ecosystem: Rivers, canals, perennial water bodies and fishponds are thepermanent wetland. Seasonal wetlands are mainly floodplains which inundates in the monsoon. Mostof the Project area supports seasonal wetlands. Wetlands govern necessary nutrients and otherelements for whole ecosystems as it is an important type.48. Wetlands are abounded by various types of aquatic flora (Figure 3-22) such as free floating,rooted floating, submerged, sedges and meadows and marginal plants. 42 aquatic species of 22families are noticed in the Project area. Of them Gramineae, Hydrocharitaceae, Cotton grass(Cyperaceae) are dominant family. Commonly noticed free floating plants are Floating Water Hyacinth(Eichhornia crassipes), Water Lettuce (Pistia strateotes), Salvina cucullata, Aquatic fern (Azolla) andDuckweed (Lemna). Most dominant rooted floating plants are Star lotus (Nymphaea nouchali), Watersnowflake (Nymphoides indicum), Ludwigia abscendens, Myriophyllum sp, Asian watergrass(Hygroryza aristata) etc. Among the submerged species, Water weed (Hydrilla verticillata),Aponogeton natans, Hydrocharis dubia, Common hornwort (Ceratophyllum desmersum), Tape grass(Vallisneria spiralis) etc., are found. Sedges and meadows are amphibian plants and are available inmost of the perennial wetland. Marsilea and Scirpus sp are common species. The area consists ofsome evergreen wetland trees forming a closed canopy in wooded areas or freshwater swamp. Thetrees are 10 to 12 m high at maturity. Pitali (Trewia nudiflora), Hizal (Barringronia acutangula), IndianWillow (Salix Tetrasperma) and Three-leaved Caper (Crataeva nurvala) are the common tree species.3-28