Assessment Of Floral And Fauna Diversity Of The Biodiversity Park, Sabarmati Riverfront, Ahmedabad

Biological diversity is a modern contraction of the word biodiversity. Biological diversity, thus, refers to variation within the living world or within and among living species. Diversity is defined as the range of variation, variety, or differences among a collection of traits. Most often used to refer to the quantity of species, the term “Biodiversity” was originally coined by lovejoy (1980) in its extended for, biological diversity (Swingland, 2001). Amounts of biodiversity the complexity of life on earth is created by the interaction of the three levels of biodiversity that are examined here: (1) Genetic diversity, (2) Species diversity, (3) Ecosystem diversity. The present research focuses on species diversity through the systematic identification and documentation of plant and faunal species within the study area. It is the variation between species within a community or between species within a species population. The species is the actual fundamental unit of classification for organisms, and the most widely used level for characterizing biodiversity is its diversity. In general, it depicts the quantity and species richness of a population. Because of this, species are unique units of diversity, each of which contributes in a unique way to the environment (Ashok Verma, 2016).

Urbanization and Riverfront Transformation:

India’s urbanization has complicated the country’s landscape ecology and human society (Chaturvedi et al.,2013). The choice to turn eleven kilometers of the city’s monsoon river into a riverfront is one example of how Ahmedabad’s spatial shape has changed as a result of the city’s growing urbanization. With strong political backing for the “environmental improvement and urban rejuvenation project” The Sabarmati Riverfront project has a broad scope and ambitious goals (Dempsey et al.,2020). In order to promote environmental sustainability and conserve local flora and fauna diversity, several green spaces have been developed along the riverfront, including the Flowers Park, Biodiversity Park, Miyawaki Forest Patches, and multiple riverfront gardens at Usmanpura and Vasna, collectively enhancing the ecological value of the urban landscape (Paneria et al.,2017)

Fig 1: Zonation map of the Sabarmati Riverfront, Ahmedabad, showing parks, development areas, and river promenade. (Reference: Amirtahmasebi et al., 2016)

Study Area:

The Sabarmati Riverfront Biodiversity Park in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, is the site of the current study. An essential part of the Sabarmati Riverfront development, the biodiversity park aims to improve habitat, save endangered species and support urban ecological restoration. The Biodiversity Park is separated into two sections and covers an area of roughly 65,000 m². The current study was limited to Phase 1, which has a total area of about 20,000 m². Nearly 5,000 no. of plants, representing roughly 60 different plant species, make up Phase 1. A variety of attractive, native, and ecologically significant plant taxa make up the flora, adding to the heterogeneity of the system. Phase 2: There are around 100 plant species in Phase 2, which covers an area of about 45,000 m². Plantation operations have been finished in a number of areas, and the vegetation is presently establishing and maturing, even though this phase is not yet accessible to the general public. Important ecological and cultural species have been introduced, such as the Sandalwood (Santalum album) and Sindoor (Bixa Orellana). In several areas of Phase 2, development is still in progress.

Fig 2: Riverfront Biodiversity Park, Ahmedabad

Field investigation for the present research was initiated in Late November and continued through Early December. Dense forest cover and the biodiversity park’s proximity to the Sabarmati River have an impact on localized microclimatic conditions, even though the park is part of Ahmedabad’s larger semi-arid climate regime. Compared to nearby metropolitan region, increased canopy cover results in comparatively greater humidity levels, improved soil moisture retention, and reduced ambient temperatures. Together, these macro- and microclimatic elements affect the study area’s seasonal patterns of fungal emergence, faunal activity, and plant growth.

Materials and Methods:

The previously reported study site, which is situated along the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad, Gujrat, India was the location of field experiments. Regular field visits were made on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) during the survey’s four-month duration, which ran from November to February. In order to optimize the detectability of flora and faunal activities, observations were mostly conducted in the morning between 07:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Throughout the research area, many and methodical field treks over various habitat patches were used to document the flora. During these surveys, every species of vascular plant that was found was closely examined, documented, and photographed in the field. Observable morphological characteristics, such as leaf arrangement, inflorescence type, floral structure, and growth habit, were used for preliminary identification. Standard regional taxonomic literature, such as Flora of Gujarat and Practical Botany (Bendre & Kumar, 2008), was used to authenticate the species. To preserve uniformity in systematic arrangement, the recognized scientific names and associated higher taxonomic placement were confirmed in line with the Bentham and Hooker classification system. Every verified species was listed and assembled into an extensive, methodically structured checklist that reflected the floristic makeup of the research location.

Observable morphological traits, growth from, and substrate association within the study area were used to systematically document fungal occurrences. Macroscopic characteristics such cap shape, pore or gill structure, texture, color, and pattern of attachment to the substrate were the main tools used for identification of specimens found during field survey. We meticulously documented the fungi’s growth pattern and ecological niche, including whether they were saprophytic on the surfaces of living plants, leaf litter, or rotting wood (Webster & Weber, 2007). Broader classification was established using distinctive traits that pointed to Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes types. Approximately seven to eight morphologically different fungus kinds were identified during survey time. The growth of a Polyporous basidiomycetes on woody substrate was noteworthy. This specimen showed discernible chromatic variation, which was probably caused by the weather at the time. The documented specimen had a yellowish-green marginal tint, which may have been caused by seasonal change or moisture fluctuation. Normally, Polyporous mushrooms exhibit a whitish edge during active growth (Bendre & Kumar, 2021). These findings demonstrate how macrofungi’s morphological responses to the local microclimate at the research location are dynamic.

Fig 3: Polyporous fungi observed on decaying wood

Fig 4: Polyporous fungi with Yellowish green margin due to weathering effect

During field walks across various habitats and microhabitats within the study region, systematic visual encounter surveys were used to conduct faunal observations. The behavior and preferred habitats of visible wildlife, including insect, birds, and arachnids, were meticulously examined. In order to accurately describe morphological characteristics such body form, coloration, wing pattern, and distinctive traits, specimens were photographed in situ (Vala et al.,2020). Organisms were recognized to the highest feasible taxonomic level based on field features and a through morphological investigation. A systematic faunal inventory was then created by employing the proper scientific nomenclature and classification hierarchy to arrange and collate all confirmed taxa. Notably, three of India’s top five venomous snake species are known to exist in the research area. However, Russell’s viper was the sole poisonous species encountered during the current survey period (Whitaker et al.,2004). The snake was presumably displaced from its typical habitat into the wet region when the individual was spotted during a period of intense rainfall when the boardwalk was momentarily inundated by high river water level (Wolfgang et al.,1992).

Fig 5: Russell’s Viper observed swimming in floodwater during heavy rainfall.

In insects, the start of a molting cycle is neither purely periodic nor random. Given that molting can achieve many goals depending on the situation, such as changing size or shape, it makes sense to assume that the timing of a molt needs to be adjusted to accommodate these purposes. Because the initiation of metamorphosis ends a larva’s growth period and determines the adult insect’s body size, it is very important to carefully regulate the start of a metamorphic molt (Nijhout, 1981). Molting, or ecdysis, is a fundamental biological process not only in insect but across thr entire phylum Arthropoda. This physiological mechanism underpins the evolutionary success and diversification of arthropods. With almost a million species listed in the catalogue of the most species among Metazoa, making it a remarkable illustration of the animal kingdom’s variety and evolutionary success (Campli et al., 2024). The superphylum Ecdysozoa, which comprises all organisms that grow via ecdysis, or the molting of their exoskeletons (Daley et al., 2018), is where the arthropods originated more than 500 million years ago from their last common ancestor (Giribet and Edgecombe, 2019). During the survey, direct field evidence of ecdysis was recorded, including the photographic documentation of alive insect undergoing molting. These observations provided in situ confirmation of active development processes within the arthropod community of the study area.

Fig 6: Exoskeleton of an arthropod observed on the leaf surface, indicating recent molting

Fig 7: Long-legged fly observed undergoing molting on a leaf surface

RESULTS

The biodiversity assessment of the selected study area revealed a diverse assemblage of plant and animal species, reflecting the ecological richness of the site. 109 vascular plant species, representing a diverse variety of life forms and development behaviors, made up the floristic component. The presence of fungi, with only six species identified, most of which were basidiomycetes and found on decomposing organic matter. With 20 species identified in several orders, including insect and arachnids, the faunal inventory demonstrated a noteworthy diversity of arthropods. 22 chordate species (Ganpule et al., 2014), which constitute avifauna and a few terrestrial vertebrates, were found among vertebrates. Furthermore, the research area had lone representatives of less frequently observed invertebrate phyla, such as one species of each of the Mollusca and platyhelminthes, underscoring the park’s biological niches and microhabitat variety.

Table 1: Systematic Floristic inventory of vascular plant species recorded from the Sabarmati Riverfront Biodiversity Park, Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Table 2: Inventory of macrofungal species recorded during the survey in the Sabarmati Riverfront Biodiversity Park, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

Table 3: Inventory of arthropod fauna recorded from the Sabarmati Riverfront Biodiversity Park, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

Table 4: Inventory of chordate species recorded from the Sabarmati Riverfront Biodiversity Park, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

Table 5: Inventory of Platyhelminthes fauna recorded from the Sabarmati Riverfront Biodiversity Park, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

Table 6: Inventory of Mollusca recorded from the Sabarmati Riverfront Biodiversity Park, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.