Biodiversity is characterized by the diversity of species inhabiting a particular region. Biodiversity is one of the significant measures to determine how healthy the environment is at a location, because it is a measure of both living and non-living present. As a functional component of the climate system, biodiversity influences the survival and extinction rates of living organisms, and it also reflects biological losses and gains. It also seems that biodiversity is decreasing at an alarming rate day by day. Hence, documentation of complete plant diversity is the immediate requirement for sustainable management and use of plants. In order to save and flourish the flora and fauna of the whole state, 23 sanctuaries and 1 national park have been announced. In Uttar Pradesh, there are 13 bird sanctuaries, significant for the conservation of biodiversity [1]. In this perception, Sandi Wetland Bird Sanctuary, situated in Hardoi District of Uttar Pradesh, under the Indo-Gangetic zone, has been selected for plant diversity documentation. India harbours four major terrestrial biodiversity hotspots, namely the Himalayas, Indo-Burma, Western Ghats, and Sundaland [2]. The majority of these areas, which are biodiversity-rich too, have been notified as protected areas in order to conserve the species, habitats, and ecosystems. Worldwide coverage of connected areas under some form of protection increased from 6.5% in 2010 to 7.7% in 2018 [3]. A region-wide floristic exploration, which should be employed as a baseline against which field investigations in the areas of photochemistry, taxonomy, ecology, ethnobotany, conservation, and management must be framed [4]. Since it is one of the most important biotic components of ecosystems [5], precise information on the flora will enable us to understand more about the microclimatic, edaphic, and topographical status in that area [6]. The Sandi Wetland Bird Sanctuary is one such wetland located in Hardoi, and its divisional headquarters are at Lucknow. Vascular plant species in all three seasons (Rainy, Winter, and Summer) were recorded, about 157 species belonging to 119 genera and 53 families from this Sanctuary.

STUDY AREA

Sandi Bird Sanctuary is located in Hardoi district of Uttar Pradesh, covering an area of 309 hectares at 26⁰ 53’ N and 80⁰ 46’ E near Sandi town in Bilgram tehsil under the Indo-Gangetic zone at about 19 km away from the Hardoi-Sandi road. River Garra, previously known as Garun Ganga, flows adjacent to the sanctuary (Fig.1). Sandi Bird Sanctuary was established in 1990 to conserve aquatic vegetation and natural habitats for the residents and migratory birds. The site has been accorded as a protected Ramsar site since September 2019. The source of water recharge is mainly seasonal rain, which is not enough to make this lake a perennial water body. Uttar Pradesh hosts about 13 protected bird sanctuaries distributed across four different eco-climatic zones, such as (i) Indo-Gangetic plain, (ii) Tarai region, (iii) Vindhyan region, and (iv) Semi-arid region. The Sandi Bird Sanctuary is one of these [7].

METHODOLOGY

The surveys were carried out for pre-monsoon (April to May), monsoon (July to September), and post-monsoon seasons (October to December) in 2023-2024. In each season, a survey was done with an appropriate time interval. Identification and processing of the collected specimens were done by following standard herbarium techniques [8] and literature about species [9]. The name of the recorded plant species has been enumerated, as per ICN (2018), and classified according to Bentham & Hooker`s system. Threat categories established for each species based on present categories (IUCN 2001) for global levels [10]. A hand-held GPS was used to record the direction and coordinates readings of longitudes and latitudes of various observation points. Further, a digital camera was used for photography of plant and wetland views.

OBSERVATIONS

Observations and occurrence of different types of flora like herbs, shrubs, trees, and climbers has been completed and detailed observations in all three seasons (Rainy, Winter and Summer) a list of total plant diversity in study area are given below (Table 1.).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A total of 157 species belonging to 119 Genera and 53 families were recorded from the study area in all three seasons (Rainy, winter, and summer) in 2023-2024 (Table 1). Out of 53 identified plant families, angiosperms account for 51, whereas pteridophytes are represented by 2 families. From the 51 families of angiosperms, 41 families are dicots and 10 are monocots (Fig. 2). Poaceae was the most dominant family with 20 species, followed by Fabaceae with 17 species, Cyperaceae with 16 species, Asteraceae with 12 species, and 7 species from the Amaranthaceae family (Fig. 5). There is around a 1:4 ratio between the monocot and dicot families. With eight species, Cyperus was the most prevalent genus. There are 157 species total, with 100 dicot species, 55 monocot species, and 2 pteridophyte species. With 70% of the entire flora, herbaceous species were the dominant group, according to the distribution analysis of living forms. The next most common taxonomic group was trees (22%), followed by shrubs (7%). Only 1% of the entire floristic makeup was made up of climbers, making them the least significant contributor (Fig.3). Wetlands are threatened by pollution, urbanisation, and unsustainable farming practices despite their significance. Development has resulted in the loss of a significant amount of wetlands in India. Therefore, we also identified species in this study based on their IUCN threat status on a global scale. Utricularia stellaris and Thevetia peruviana are two plant species that exhibit a vulnerable status. One plant, Tectona grandis exhibits endangered status, and two plants are data deficient, namely Nelumbo nucifera and Mangifera indica. There are 97 plant species, which have the least concerning status, and 55 plant species are not evaluated by IUCN (Fig.4). The Sandi Bird Sanctuary is a wetland that is home to an incredible diversity of species, from tall grasses to small, fragile, watery herbs, and also are critical habitat for fauna, supporting numerous species. Thus, the plants, the life they sustain, and the benefits they offer to humans, such as food supplies, medications, and natural environmental purifiers, all depend on the maintenance of these ecosystems, like the strategic eradication of invasive species and native plant species. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors are grateful to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) of Uttar Pradesh and the staff of Sandi Bird Sanctuary, Hardoi, for permission to conduct the survey and collection of plants. Authors are also thankful to the Head, Department of Botany, University of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, for providing laboratory facilities.

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