The present investigation deals with the ecological study of Urbad beel of Goalpara district of Assam with reference to aquatic plant community. The study was carried out during the year 2016 to 2017. Diversity indices viz. Shannon-Weiner diversity index, Simpson diversity index, Menhinick diversity index and Concentration of dominance were calculated to show the plant community structure of the wetland. A total of 93 aquatic macrophytic plant species belonging to 74 genera and 45 families have been reported from the wetland. Based on IVI value, Eichhornia crassipes was the most dominant species (IVI= 22.54) followed by Hygroryza aristata (IVI= 19.96), Arundo donax (IVI= 8.21) respectively whereas Cyperus brevifolius (IVI= 0.768) showed the lowest IVI value among all the life forms of the aquatic macrophytes of the wetland. Results showed that anthropogenic disturbances inside the wetland areas are the prime factor for losing aquatic plant community of the wetland. The obtained Shannon -diversity index values (3.06 and 2.18) both in summer and winter seasons indicate the further degradation of the wetland. Therefore, anthropogenic activities inside the wetland areas should be prevented for the sustainable existence of the wetland as well as the livelihood of the fringe villagers.

Objective: The aim of present investigation has been carried out for the documentation of ethnomedicinally important aquatic/semi-aquatic plants used by the rural people living in the vicinity of two major wetlands, i.e., Deepor Beel and Chandubi Beel of Western Assam, India. Methods: Intensive field surveys were conducted with the local traditional healers to gather information on medicinal plants used by them in treatment of various ailments. Results: Altogether 31 medicinal plant species belonging to 25 genera and 14 families have been documented from both the wetlands. Of 31 plant species, nine species were found to be used in skin disease, six in jaundice and liver problem, four species each in fever and urinary tract, two species in dysentery and snakebite, and remaining are found to be used in cough, stomach pain, wounds and cuts, neuralgia, toothache, tonsillitis, blood pressure, and smallpox. Conclusion: Unfortunately, the population of ethnomedicinally used macrophytes Nelumbo nucifera, Euryale ferox, and Trapa natans which are rare in these two wetlands are decreasing alarmingly due to commercial exploitation, natural as well as excessive anthropogenic pressure in these two wetlands.

The present research work was carried out to study the primary productivity of dominant aquaticmacrophytes with reference to water quality parameters during the year 2017 and 2018. Dominant aquaticplant species were found out based on IVI values. Among the dominant macrophytes, Eichhornia crassipesshowed the maximum productivity values (1134gm/m2) during the summer as well as the winter seasons(659gm/m2).While Hygroryzaaristata showed lowest productivity values (438gm/m2 and 376gm/m2) bothin summer and winter seasons respectively. The macrophytes showed positive correlation with temperature,pH and turbidity while they showed highly negative correlation with DO. Luxuriant growth of thesemacrophytes and their subsequent death and decay results the lower dissolved oxygen value of the waterbody. It is due to the fact that during decomposition of aquatic macrophytes, microorganisms uses most ofthe oxygen dissolved in water body. Therefore aquatic macrophytes can be used for indicators of waterquality and their presence may enhance the water quality due to their ability to absorb excess nutrientsfrom the water body.