Diversity of halophytes along Saurashtra coast (Gujarat)

The state of Gujarat is situated on the north-western parts of India. It occupies an area of 1,96,024 sq.km and has 1663-km-long coastline, which spreads along 13 maritime districts and one Union Territory of Diu between Kachchh and Valsad. Interestingly, Gujarat coast is characterized by typical salt marshes, salt plains, sand dunes and rocky shore found along 1663-km-long sea coast of Gujarat out of 5700-km-long Indian coast. Attempt was made to study the α –diversity Indices like Shannon's Index, Simpson reciprocal Index and Pielou's Index of halophytes growing at marshy, sandy and rocky habitats. Results showed quite low species diversity, whereas species richness was found to be low to moderate levels and species evenness in the low to moderate levels. In contrast, these measures of diversity marginally fluctuated at one marshy location, Wandi.