International Journal of Environmental Sciences

This study was carried out with a principal aim of documenting the floristic richness in the riparian zone of Mini River and highlighting its current status. Transect based quadrat surveys were carried out in eight stations along the riverine stretch wherein 91 plant species belonging to 79 genera and 36 families were recorded. The herbaceous layer dominated the vegetation due to ravine area and species diversity of trees was low due to high anthropogenic activity. The sites like Station 1 and Station 5, which are reeling under severe anthropogenic pressures, were found to be harboring the least plant diversity as compared to the other sites. The occurrence of native species was less as compared to the exotic and invasive species such as Prosopis sp. and Lantana sp., which were present throughout the riverine system. This study provides the first baseline data on the vegetation character of the riparian zone of Mini River and calls for its conservation and restoration.