Ecological and Floristic Diversity of Monocotyledonous Plants in Rewa District, Madhya Pradesh, India

The present study documents the ecological and floristic diversity of monocotyledonous plants in Rewa District, Madhya Pradesh, providing a valuable baseline for the monocot flora of the Vindhyan region. A total of 124 species belonging to 78 genera and 22 families were recorded from diverse habitats, including forests, grasslands, wetlands, riverbanks, agricultural lands, rocky plateaus, and urban areas. Poaceae emerged as the dominant family, while herbaceous species constituted the major life form, reflecting the ecological characteristics of the region. The study highlights the ecological and economic significance of monocotyledonous plants. Dominant species contribute to ecosystem stability through soil conservation, nutrient cycling, and habitat maintenance, while many species provide food, fodder, medicines, fiber, construction materials, ornamental value, and livelihood support to local communities. However, increasing threats such as habitat degradation, urbanization, agricultural expansion, mining, invasive species, and overexploitation of medicinal plants pose serious challenges to their conservation. The findings emphasize the need for habitat protection, restoration of degraded ecosystems, regular biodiversity monitoring, development of regional herbarium collections, and community-based conservation programs. Overall, this study establishes a comprehensive baseline database that will support future floristic, ecological, taxonomic, and conservation research and contribute to the sustainable management and long-term conservation of the monocotyledonous flora of Rewa District and the Vindhyan Plateau.  

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