Assessing the tree diversity along the Dudhganga River in Kolhapur District of Maharashtra, India

Riparian vegetation is the buffer zone between the aquatic ecosystem of a river and the terrestrial ecosystem. Trees are a typical feature of many ecosystems. Understanding the diversity and geographic distribution of trees holds significant theoretical and practical value. This study highlights the rich diversity of tree species along the river Dudhganga with 80 species from 30 families identified through an extensive field survey from October 2021 to June 2024. The species-rich families are Fabaceae with 10 native species, contributing 18% of the total native tree diversity, Moraceae with eight species, and Malvaceae & Lamiaceae each with four species. Species-rich and diverse genus Ficus dominated with seven species. Ficus racemosa exhibits a widespread distribution across riparian habitats, which is the most evenly distributed species, while Pongamia pinnata stands out as the most dominant species among riparian tree taxa. Among the 80 tree species, two species are endemic to India, 55 are native and 25 are invasive. The altitudinal gradient exerts a substantial influence, as evidenced by research indicating that the diversity and density of riparian trees escalate with ascending altitudes. This study reveals a relatively diverse tree flora in riparian areas and aims to serve as a tool for managing the tree species diversity of the riparian land.