A FLORISTIC DIVERSITY AND SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION ANALYSIS OF PLANT SPECIES IN KESHOPUR–MIANI COMMUNITY RESERVE AREA OF GURDASPUR, PUNJAB (INDIA)

Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve area is a freshwater wetland ecosystem located in Gurdaspur district of Punjab and recognized as India's first Community Reserve under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The reserve was designated as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance in 2019. The wetland comprises natural marshes, fish ponds, agricultural wetlands, and aquatic crop cultivation areas. Floristic investigations of the area were done over a time period of three years from 2023 to 2026. Study indicated rich plant diversity, with approximately 167 plant species belonging to 145 genera and 61 families, including trees, herbs, grasses, aquatic and climbers. Maximum foliage development was observed in summer season, indicating favorable leaf growth in hot and dry conditions. Lowest foliage was observed in post monsoon season. Highest flowering and fruiting, activity was observed during transitional seasons. Monsoon recorded the lowest activity suggesting that heavy rainfall limits reproductive processes. Overall, the data suggests that Keshopur wetland plant species maintain maximum vegetative growth in summer, while plant reproductive cycles happen in pre summer and post monsoon periods. Distinct seasonal pattern and adaptation by plant species to local climatic conditions has been reflected from the present study.