Distribution and Ecological Indices of Aquatic and Semi-Aquatic Plant Species of Arvand River in Mino Island

Abstract

Aquatic and semi-aquatic plants are vital components of aquatic ecosystems, contributing significantly to their ecological balance. This study focused on the analysis of marginal plants along the Arvandroud, conducting seasonal samplings with 1 x 1 square meters and 3 repetitions at each station across two periods: summer 2015 and winter 2016. The collected samples underwent pressing for herbarium studies. The survey identified 25 plant species spanning 11 families. Among these, 5 were monocotyledonous, encompassing Poaceae and Cyperaceae, while 18 were dicotyledonous, including Lamiaceae, Capparaceae, Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Convolvulaceae, Apocynaceae, Amaranthaceae, Tamaricaceae, and Polygonaceae. Notably, the dominant marginal plants observed during summer were Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. Ex. Steudel and Cyperus longus L., while in winter, it was Phragmites australis, Cyperus longus, and Senecio glaucus L. Phragmites australis emerged as the dominant species based on its density across both seasons. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed the influential environmental factors affecting these plants, with sediment particles, total organic matter, salinity, and electrical conductivity identified as the most significant. Interestingly, plant density was higher in winter compared to summer, highlighting seasonal variations in plant distribution along the Arvandroud.

Keywords

• aquatic plants
• ecological indicators
• biodiversity
• arvand river
• mino island