International Journal of Geology, Earth and Environmental Sciences ISSN: 2277-2081 (Online) An Open Access, Online International Journal Available at http://www.cibtech.org/jgee.htm 2014 Vol. 4 (1) January-April, pp.90-95/Verma and Khan Research Article © Copyright 2014 | Centre for Info Bio Technology (CIBTech) 91 BIODIVERSITY ASSESSMENT OF AQUATIC PLANTS IN JHUNJHUNU DISTRICT OF RAJASTHAN, INDIA *S. Verma and J.B. Khan Department of Botany, Govt. Lohia P.G. College, Churu *Author for Correspondence ABSTRACT In most of fresh water system aquatic plants are important components of food web dynamics. The aquatic plants not only play a crucial role to maintain the composition of aquatic ecosystem but also they have vital role in human welfare. In the present study an account is given of aquatic plants conducted in some fresh water bodies at Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan, India. A field survey of the study area was carried out to describes the aquatic diversity on the basis of their morphological characteristics. During the study total 15 aquatic angiospermic plant species were identified which belongs to 11 families. Data inventory consists of botanical name, family name, local name, habitats and their description. Keywords: Biodiversity, Aquatic Ecosystem, Jhunjhunu, Conservation, Awareness INTRODUCTION Human health and well-being are directly dependent on biodiversity. Terrestrial as well as aquatic biodiversity constitute a valuable natural resources in economic, cultural, aesthetic, scientific and educational terms. Biodiversity includes assemblage of plants, animals and micro-organisms, their genetic variability expressed in varieties and populations, their habitats, ecosystems and natural areas, the mosaic of which gives richness to the natural environment. Biodiversity or biological resources provide food, clothing, housing, medicine and spiritual nourishment to human beings (Kulshrestha, 2005). The majority of aquatic plants are consumed only after they have died and partially decomposed into detritus. Detritus is eaten primarily by aquatic insects, invertebrates and larger crustacean (Madsen, 2009). The potential of aquatic plants as food and feed has been emphasized by several authors (Bhowmik et al., 2013). They are major components of fresh water ecosystems in that they play key functions, contribute to maintain the related biodiversity and supply services to human society. Aquatic plants can form the non-conventional sources of foods, medicines for many diseases. Indeed, they are primary producers that provide habitat, food and refuges for periphyton, invertebrates, fish, amphibians and birds. They also participate to ensuring the clear state of shallow waterbodies through their effect on biogeochemical cycles and on the sediment deposition process (Bornette and Pujalon, 2011). Aquatic habitats are also crucial in providing necessary habitat for feeding, nesting and migrating waterfowl (Havera, 1999). Fresh water ecosystems are experiencing decline in biodiversity far greater than those in the most affected terrestrial ecosystems. Threats to fresh waters such as pollution of different kinds, unfavourable climatic changes, eutrophication, acidification, and alien species invasion lead to reduction in native hydrophytes diversity (Chambers et al., 2008). Conservation of freshwater biodiversity faces serious challenges because of lack of public awareness about its magnitude and importance (Dudgeon, 2000). Most of the people are more conscious about the conservation of forests but aquatic plants are more or less neglected. Aquatic biodiversity, which is poorly understood in comparison to terrestrial biodiversity and at the same time faces several threatened by invasive species, climatic change, habitat degradation and change in ecosystem conditions. Keeping these facts in mind, the present work is to give importance to aquatic plants and to their conservation. MATERIALS AND METHODS The sample of selected plants were collected from different water bodies (Shiv Ganga Canal, BITS Pilani; Birla Talab, BITS Pilani; Fatah Sagar Talab, Baggar; Pannah Sagar Talab, Khetri) of Jhunjhunu district of