Journal of the Indian Society of Soil Science, 2021
Physical and chemical properties of soil were compared between different agricultural fields of m... more Physical and chemical properties of soil were compared between different agricultural fields of multi-metal waste contaminated East Calcutta Wetlands (ECW) sites and uncontaminated control study sites. Soil organic matter (SOM) contents were significantly different between contaminated ECW and control sites. Agricultural fields at ECW sites were characterized by higher contents of SOM, porosity, moisture, particle size (sandy >63 µm) and metals; while the control sites had higher bulk density, pH and electrical conductivity (EC). Metal accumulation in soils of ECW showed the trend Fe>Zn>Mn>Cr>Pb>Cu; while at control sites like Fe>(Zn=Mn)>Cr>(Pb=Cu). Post-Hoc analyses (with Tukey HSD) clearly pointed out sitewise significant differences (at p<0.05) in soil metal contents between ECW and control sites. The results of this study pointed out the importance of chelates like SOM and easily biodegradable organic acids in the waste contaminated soils of ECW to arrest metals in significant amount reducing phytoavailability and, thereby, sustained agricultural practices at the concerned areas without any health hazard for nearly a century.
Wetlands provide numerous ecosystem services including sequestration of atmospheric carbon–dioxid... more Wetlands provide numerous ecosystem services including sequestration of atmospheric carbon–dioxide (CO2) which play an important role in mitigation of green house gases (GHGs). Present study aimed to assess soil / sediment carbon (C) stock of different wetlands under different physiographic regions of West Bengal. West Bengal has a number of wetlands situated in different biogeographic regions like lower Gangetic plains, central Himalaya, Chotanagpur plateau and coasts. A total of 19 wetlands were selected for present study and were categorized into six wetland types viz., floodplain wetlands (FP), wetlands from forested hill region (FH), Himalayan region (HM), Chotanagpur plateau and adjacent area (CP), coastal wetlands (CO) and wastewater–fed fishponds of East Calcutta Wetlands (ECW) ecosystems. Soil /sediment organic carbon (SOC) content of both bank soil and bottom sediments of the wetlands varied widely among study sites. Highest amount of bank SOC were recorded from HM wetlands (50.54 ± 6.65 t ha–1) whereas bottom SOC values from FP wetlands (36.81±17.80 t ha–1). Different allochthonous inputs like sewage water, runoff from catchment area; wetland macrophytes; sediment texture; physicochemical properties of water influence C sequestration potential of wetlands. Findings of present study can be compared with 22.35% of total wetland area of the state and it can be assumed that these types of wetlands can sequester 6.63 M t carbon in soils and sediments.
International Journal of Chemical and Environmental Sciences, 2021
East Calcutta Wetlands (ECW) located at the eastern fringe of Kolkata metropolitan, India designa... more East Calcutta Wetlands (ECW) located at the eastern fringe of Kolkata metropolitan, India designated as a Ramsar Site (No. 1208). ECW receives municipal solid wastes and composite wastewater from the city and local artisans use this for horticulture, agriculture and pisciculture practices. Horticulture designated as 'green industry' sequester significant amount of carbon (C) in plant biomass and in soil, therefore, helps to mitigate greenhouse gases and combat against global climate change. Six horticultural plant species commonly cultivated in ECW ecosystems were selected for present study. C sequestration potential of horticultural plants depends on plant biomass and plant density in cultivation fields. Highest amount of C was sequestered (40.76±6.73 ton ha-1) by ixora, a perennial plant in plant biomass. In case of basil, also a perennial plant, significant portion of the living plant biomass was exported from ECW as economically important parts which constitute 5.79±0.96 ton ha-1 C. Highest amount of soil organic carbon (SOC) was recorded from marigold fields (50.36±24.88 ton ha-1) which also constitute highest amount of C (34.37±5.67 ton ha-1) in residual parts (RP). Horticulture practices can sequester more amount of C in the ecosystem either by residual parts or remaining living plant biomass than agricultural practices.
The present investigation is conducted to study the year wise (2011
to 2018) changes of water hya... more The present investigation is conducted to study the year wise (2011 to 2018) changes of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) cover at Santragachi Lake a Wetland under National Wetland Conservation Programme of India. Further the relationship between water hyacinth cover and the most abundant migratory waterbirds of Satragachi, Lesser Whistling Teal (LWT; Dendrocygna javanica) is assessed because this bird species is prefer depending on water hyacinth mat for their roosting. The study comprises of eight satellite images procured from Google earth (2011 to 2018) to explore this relationship. A marked decline in the number of LWT at Santragachi wetland is observed in the year of 2017 and 2018. It is very interesting fact that from 2017-2018, the water hyacinth mat of this wetland is almost cleared before winter and the result of cluster analysis supports this fact. Significant positive correlation is also observed within LWT number and water hyacinth cover area (r = 0.7481 at p< 0.05) along with the total perimeter (r = 0.8648 at p< 0.05) of the water hyacinth islands at Santragachi wetland. However, open water area is also needed for diving, swimming, food searching for the LWT and other waterbirds. Therefore, more study is needed to optimize the clearing operations, focused on optimizing the shape and size of water hyacinth islands for proper management of the waterbirds habitat.
Waterbirds are excellent indicators of wetland health, and studies on their abundance and diversi... more Waterbirds are excellent indicators of wetland health, and studies on their abundance and diversity are of use in conservation management of wetland habitats. Thirteen wetlands in West Bengal were surveyed for waterbirds during midwinter of 2018-19. Three consecutive surveys through line transects were conducted in each of the wetlands. In all, 110 species of wetland-associated birds were recorded, these comprising 69 winter migrants and 41 resident species. Out of the 110 species, 18 species are threatened as per the IUCN Red List 2021-1. The Greater Adjutant Leptoptilos dubius, Pallas's Fish-eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus, and Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris are Endangered; Common Pochard Aythya ferina, Greater Scaup Aythya marila, Asian Woollyneck Ciconia episcopus, Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus, and Greater Spotted Eagle Clanga clanga are Vulnerable and rest 10 species are Near Threatened. The highest species richness of waterbirds was recorded in Gajoldoba, followed by Purbasthali, Ahiran Beel, and Barasagardighi. The catchment areas of rivers and oxbow lakes showed greater species richness, probably due to greater heterogeneity of habitats. Wetlands with longer shoreline harboured a good number of waders. Species turnover rate was highest between Gajoldoba and Santragachi Jheel (0.59). Gajoldoba exhibited the highest species diversity, while in Santragachi an overwhelming dominance of Lesser Whistling-duck was recorded. This is the first comprehensive report on the diversity and abundance of wintering waterbirds in important wintering grounds along the length and breadth of West Bengal, located on the East Asian-Australasian and the Central Asian Flyways. The high Wilson-Schmida's index (βT) values highlighted the large turnovers between sites due to contrasting species presence/absence data, which may be influenced by the differences in the physical habitat makeup.
The present investigation concerns the seasonal change of macrophytes diversity and physico-chemi... more The present investigation concerns the seasonal change of macrophytes diversity and physico-chemical characteristic of water and soil in Rajmata wetland, Cooch Behar, West Bengal. It also encompass with the economic prospect of wetland associated macrophytes. Diversity indices of 48 plant species and the regulatory effects of the 10 physico-chemical parameters of water and soil on the plant diversity were assessed. The macrophytes diversity, richness and evenness were high in monsoon but the dominancy was high in the months of mid summer and mid winter because very few species tolerate that adverse condition i.e., high cold and high hot condition. From the Euclidean distance of seasonal variation of macrophytes diversity and physico-chemical parameters of soil and water it was revealed that the wetland plants diversity were changed with the seasonal i.e. premonsoon, monsoon and postmonsoon changes of physico-chemical parameters.
In the present communication an attempt has been made to correlate the seasonal change of macroph... more In the present communication an attempt has been made to correlate the seasonal change of macrophytes diversity and physico-chemical characteristics of water and soil in Kathgola Dighi, Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. Diversity indices of 48 plant species and the regulatory effects of the four physico-chemical parameters of water and six soil parameters on the plant diversity were assessed. The macrophytes diversity, richness and evenness were high in monsoon but the dominancy was high in the months of mid-summer and mid-winter. The Euclidean distance of seasonal variation of macrophytes diversity and physico-chemical parameters of soil and water revealed that the wetland plants diversity were changed with the seasonal changes of physico-chemical parameters. INTRODUCTION The importance of wetland to global carbon cycle, water balance, wildlife biodiversity and human food production is much greater than their proportional surface area on Earth would suggest (Neue et al., 1997). These are ge...
The present investigation concerns the seasonal changes of phytoplankton diversity and physico-ch... more The present investigation concerns the seasonal changes of phytoplankton diversity and physico-chemical characteristic of water in a lentic water body. Diversity indices of 58 phytoplankton species and the regulatory effects of the 10 physico-chemical parameters of water on the phytoplankton diversity were assessed. The phytoplankton diversity, richness and dominance were high in winter but the evenness was high in the months of pre-summer. From the Euclidean distance of seasonal variation of phytoplankton diversity and physico-chemical parameters of water it was revealed that the phytoplankton diversity were changed with the seasonal i.e. pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon changes of physico-chemical parameters.
The present study is an outcome of thorough ecological analysis of forest community in Rambi Fore... more The present study is an outcome of thorough ecological analysis of forest community in Rambi Forest Beat, Senchal East Zone Forest Range, Darjeeling. As many as 50 plant species belonging to 40 genera of27 families were recorded among them 44 belonging dicotyledones and 6 to monocotyledons. Plant community was analyzed quantitatively and synthetically. The study site was divided into ten pedons and some soil parameters were measured which gives an impetus to deduce the most important components influencing the physicochemical features of the study sites.
Journal- Society of Leather Technologists and Chemists
In the context of addition of carbon to East Kolkata Wetland (EKW) ecosystem, an attempt has been... more In the context of addition of carbon to East Kolkata Wetland (EKW) ecosystem, an attempt has been made to provide a comprehensive computation of carbon input by wet salted hides-skins and different chemicals; and carbon output by various solid and liquid waste from the leather industry. The calculations are based on the conventional operations of nine tanneries of which three produce bag leather, three gloves and three shoe uppers. The amount of carbon that enters into the leather industry depends upon the selection of raw hides and skins, percentage of chemicals used and purity of chemicals. In case of bag leather and shoe upper manufacturing units the carbon value changes depending on the tannery specific finishing recipe, spray types and number of coats. Besides this the carbon value also changes with the customized required finish. Whereas the carbon value of solid and liquid wastes changes depending upon the carbon input, mechanical operations and the binding of chemicals with ...
Journal of the Indian Society of Soil Science, 2021
Physical and chemical properties of soil were compared between different agricultural fields of m... more Physical and chemical properties of soil were compared between different agricultural fields of multi-metal waste contaminated East Calcutta Wetlands (ECW) sites and uncontaminated control study sites. Soil organic matter (SOM) contents were significantly different between contaminated ECW and control sites. Agricultural fields at ECW sites were characterized by higher contents of SOM, porosity, moisture, particle size (sandy >63 µm) and metals; while the control sites had higher bulk density, pH and electrical conductivity (EC). Metal accumulation in soils of ECW showed the trend Fe>Zn>Mn>Cr>Pb>Cu; while at control sites like Fe>(Zn=Mn)>Cr>(Pb=Cu). Post-Hoc analyses (with Tukey HSD) clearly pointed out sitewise significant differences (at p<0.05) in soil metal contents between ECW and control sites. The results of this study pointed out the importance of chelates like SOM and easily biodegradable organic acids in the waste contaminated soils of ECW to arrest metals in significant amount reducing phytoavailability and, thereby, sustained agricultural practices at the concerned areas without any health hazard for nearly a century.
Wetlands provide numerous ecosystem services including sequestration of atmospheric carbon–dioxid... more Wetlands provide numerous ecosystem services including sequestration of atmospheric carbon–dioxide (CO2) which play an important role in mitigation of green house gases (GHGs). Present study aimed to assess soil / sediment carbon (C) stock of different wetlands under different physiographic regions of West Bengal. West Bengal has a number of wetlands situated in different biogeographic regions like lower Gangetic plains, central Himalaya, Chotanagpur plateau and coasts. A total of 19 wetlands were selected for present study and were categorized into six wetland types viz., floodplain wetlands (FP), wetlands from forested hill region (FH), Himalayan region (HM), Chotanagpur plateau and adjacent area (CP), coastal wetlands (CO) and wastewater–fed fishponds of East Calcutta Wetlands (ECW) ecosystems. Soil /sediment organic carbon (SOC) content of both bank soil and bottom sediments of the wetlands varied widely among study sites. Highest amount of bank SOC were recorded from HM wetlands (50.54 ± 6.65 t ha–1) whereas bottom SOC values from FP wetlands (36.81±17.80 t ha–1). Different allochthonous inputs like sewage water, runoff from catchment area; wetland macrophytes; sediment texture; physicochemical properties of water influence C sequestration potential of wetlands. Findings of present study can be compared with 22.35% of total wetland area of the state and it can be assumed that these types of wetlands can sequester 6.63 M t carbon in soils and sediments.
International Journal of Chemical and Environmental Sciences, 2021
East Calcutta Wetlands (ECW) located at the eastern fringe of Kolkata metropolitan, India designa... more East Calcutta Wetlands (ECW) located at the eastern fringe of Kolkata metropolitan, India designated as a Ramsar Site (No. 1208). ECW receives municipal solid wastes and composite wastewater from the city and local artisans use this for horticulture, agriculture and pisciculture practices. Horticulture designated as 'green industry' sequester significant amount of carbon (C) in plant biomass and in soil, therefore, helps to mitigate greenhouse gases and combat against global climate change. Six horticultural plant species commonly cultivated in ECW ecosystems were selected for present study. C sequestration potential of horticultural plants depends on plant biomass and plant density in cultivation fields. Highest amount of C was sequestered (40.76±6.73 ton ha-1) by ixora, a perennial plant in plant biomass. In case of basil, also a perennial plant, significant portion of the living plant biomass was exported from ECW as economically important parts which constitute 5.79±0.96 ton ha-1 C. Highest amount of soil organic carbon (SOC) was recorded from marigold fields (50.36±24.88 ton ha-1) which also constitute highest amount of C (34.37±5.67 ton ha-1) in residual parts (RP). Horticulture practices can sequester more amount of C in the ecosystem either by residual parts or remaining living plant biomass than agricultural practices.
The present investigation is conducted to study the year wise (2011
to 2018) changes of water hya... more The present investigation is conducted to study the year wise (2011 to 2018) changes of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) cover at Santragachi Lake a Wetland under National Wetland Conservation Programme of India. Further the relationship between water hyacinth cover and the most abundant migratory waterbirds of Satragachi, Lesser Whistling Teal (LWT; Dendrocygna javanica) is assessed because this bird species is prefer depending on water hyacinth mat for their roosting. The study comprises of eight satellite images procured from Google earth (2011 to 2018) to explore this relationship. A marked decline in the number of LWT at Santragachi wetland is observed in the year of 2017 and 2018. It is very interesting fact that from 2017-2018, the water hyacinth mat of this wetland is almost cleared before winter and the result of cluster analysis supports this fact. Significant positive correlation is also observed within LWT number and water hyacinth cover area (r = 0.7481 at p< 0.05) along with the total perimeter (r = 0.8648 at p< 0.05) of the water hyacinth islands at Santragachi wetland. However, open water area is also needed for diving, swimming, food searching for the LWT and other waterbirds. Therefore, more study is needed to optimize the clearing operations, focused on optimizing the shape and size of water hyacinth islands for proper management of the waterbirds habitat.
Waterbirds are excellent indicators of wetland health, and studies on their abundance and diversi... more Waterbirds are excellent indicators of wetland health, and studies on their abundance and diversity are of use in conservation management of wetland habitats. Thirteen wetlands in West Bengal were surveyed for waterbirds during midwinter of 2018-19. Three consecutive surveys through line transects were conducted in each of the wetlands. In all, 110 species of wetland-associated birds were recorded, these comprising 69 winter migrants and 41 resident species. Out of the 110 species, 18 species are threatened as per the IUCN Red List 2021-1. The Greater Adjutant Leptoptilos dubius, Pallas's Fish-eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus, and Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris are Endangered; Common Pochard Aythya ferina, Greater Scaup Aythya marila, Asian Woollyneck Ciconia episcopus, Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus, and Greater Spotted Eagle Clanga clanga are Vulnerable and rest 10 species are Near Threatened. The highest species richness of waterbirds was recorded in Gajoldoba, followed by Purbasthali, Ahiran Beel, and Barasagardighi. The catchment areas of rivers and oxbow lakes showed greater species richness, probably due to greater heterogeneity of habitats. Wetlands with longer shoreline harboured a good number of waders. Species turnover rate was highest between Gajoldoba and Santragachi Jheel (0.59). Gajoldoba exhibited the highest species diversity, while in Santragachi an overwhelming dominance of Lesser Whistling-duck was recorded. This is the first comprehensive report on the diversity and abundance of wintering waterbirds in important wintering grounds along the length and breadth of West Bengal, located on the East Asian-Australasian and the Central Asian Flyways. The high Wilson-Schmida's index (βT) values highlighted the large turnovers between sites due to contrasting species presence/absence data, which may be influenced by the differences in the physical habitat makeup.
The present investigation concerns the seasonal change of macrophytes diversity and physico-chemi... more The present investigation concerns the seasonal change of macrophytes diversity and physico-chemical characteristic of water and soil in Rajmata wetland, Cooch Behar, West Bengal. It also encompass with the economic prospect of wetland associated macrophytes. Diversity indices of 48 plant species and the regulatory effects of the 10 physico-chemical parameters of water and soil on the plant diversity were assessed. The macrophytes diversity, richness and evenness were high in monsoon but the dominancy was high in the months of mid summer and mid winter because very few species tolerate that adverse condition i.e., high cold and high hot condition. From the Euclidean distance of seasonal variation of macrophytes diversity and physico-chemical parameters of soil and water it was revealed that the wetland plants diversity were changed with the seasonal i.e. premonsoon, monsoon and postmonsoon changes of physico-chemical parameters.
In the present communication an attempt has been made to correlate the seasonal change of macroph... more In the present communication an attempt has been made to correlate the seasonal change of macrophytes diversity and physico-chemical characteristics of water and soil in Kathgola Dighi, Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. Diversity indices of 48 plant species and the regulatory effects of the four physico-chemical parameters of water and six soil parameters on the plant diversity were assessed. The macrophytes diversity, richness and evenness were high in monsoon but the dominancy was high in the months of mid-summer and mid-winter. The Euclidean distance of seasonal variation of macrophytes diversity and physico-chemical parameters of soil and water revealed that the wetland plants diversity were changed with the seasonal changes of physico-chemical parameters. INTRODUCTION The importance of wetland to global carbon cycle, water balance, wildlife biodiversity and human food production is much greater than their proportional surface area on Earth would suggest (Neue et al., 1997). These are ge...
The present investigation concerns the seasonal changes of phytoplankton diversity and physico-ch... more The present investigation concerns the seasonal changes of phytoplankton diversity and physico-chemical characteristic of water in a lentic water body. Diversity indices of 58 phytoplankton species and the regulatory effects of the 10 physico-chemical parameters of water on the phytoplankton diversity were assessed. The phytoplankton diversity, richness and dominance were high in winter but the evenness was high in the months of pre-summer. From the Euclidean distance of seasonal variation of phytoplankton diversity and physico-chemical parameters of water it was revealed that the phytoplankton diversity were changed with the seasonal i.e. pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon changes of physico-chemical parameters.
The present study is an outcome of thorough ecological analysis of forest community in Rambi Fore... more The present study is an outcome of thorough ecological analysis of forest community in Rambi Forest Beat, Senchal East Zone Forest Range, Darjeeling. As many as 50 plant species belonging to 40 genera of27 families were recorded among them 44 belonging dicotyledones and 6 to monocotyledons. Plant community was analyzed quantitatively and synthetically. The study site was divided into ten pedons and some soil parameters were measured which gives an impetus to deduce the most important components influencing the physicochemical features of the study sites.
Journal- Society of Leather Technologists and Chemists
In the context of addition of carbon to East Kolkata Wetland (EKW) ecosystem, an attempt has been... more In the context of addition of carbon to East Kolkata Wetland (EKW) ecosystem, an attempt has been made to provide a comprehensive computation of carbon input by wet salted hides-skins and different chemicals; and carbon output by various solid and liquid waste from the leather industry. The calculations are based on the conventional operations of nine tanneries of which three produce bag leather, three gloves and three shoe uppers. The amount of carbon that enters into the leather industry depends upon the selection of raw hides and skins, percentage of chemicals used and purity of chemicals. In case of bag leather and shoe upper manufacturing units the carbon value changes depending on the tannery specific finishing recipe, spray types and number of coats. Besides this the carbon value also changes with the customized required finish. Whereas the carbon value of solid and liquid wastes changes depending upon the carbon input, mechanical operations and the binding of chemicals with ...
Uploads
Papers by Dr. Sudin Pal
wetlands were selected for present study and were categorized into six wetland types viz., floodplain wetlands (FP), wetlands from forested hill region (FH), Himalayan region (HM), Chotanagpur plateau and adjacent area (CP), coastal wetlands (CO) and wastewater–fed fishponds of East Calcutta Wetlands (ECW) ecosystems. Soil /sediment organic carbon (SOC) content of both bank soil and bottom sediments of the wetlands varied widely among study sites. Highest amount of bank SOC were recorded from HM wetlands (50.54 ± 6.65 t ha–1) whereas bottom SOC values from FP wetlands (36.81±17.80 t ha–1). Different allochthonous inputs like sewage water, runoff from catchment area; wetland macrophytes; sediment texture; physicochemical properties of water influence C sequestration potential of wetlands. Findings of present study can be compared with 22.35% of total wetland area of the state and it can be assumed that these types of wetlands can sequester 6.63 M t carbon in soils and sediments.
to 2018) changes of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) cover at
Santragachi Lake a Wetland under National Wetland Conservation
Programme of India. Further the relationship between water hyacinth
cover and the most abundant migratory waterbirds of Satragachi, Lesser
Whistling Teal (LWT; Dendrocygna javanica) is assessed because this bird
species is prefer depending on water hyacinth mat for their roosting. The
study comprises of eight satellite images procured from Google earth (2011
to 2018) to explore this relationship. A marked decline in the number of
LWT at Santragachi wetland is observed in the year of 2017 and 2018. It
is very interesting fact that from 2017-2018, the water hyacinth mat of this
wetland is almost cleared before winter and the result of cluster analysis
supports this fact. Significant positive correlation is also observed within
LWT number and water hyacinth cover area (r = 0.7481 at p< 0.05) along
with the total perimeter (r = 0.8648 at p< 0.05) of the water hyacinth
islands at Santragachi wetland. However, open water area is also needed
for diving, swimming, food searching for the LWT and other waterbirds.
Therefore, more study is needed to optimize the clearing operations,
focused on optimizing the shape and size of water hyacinth islands for
proper management of the waterbirds habitat.
wetlands were selected for present study and were categorized into six wetland types viz., floodplain wetlands (FP), wetlands from forested hill region (FH), Himalayan region (HM), Chotanagpur plateau and adjacent area (CP), coastal wetlands (CO) and wastewater–fed fishponds of East Calcutta Wetlands (ECW) ecosystems. Soil /sediment organic carbon (SOC) content of both bank soil and bottom sediments of the wetlands varied widely among study sites. Highest amount of bank SOC were recorded from HM wetlands (50.54 ± 6.65 t ha–1) whereas bottom SOC values from FP wetlands (36.81±17.80 t ha–1). Different allochthonous inputs like sewage water, runoff from catchment area; wetland macrophytes; sediment texture; physicochemical properties of water influence C sequestration potential of wetlands. Findings of present study can be compared with 22.35% of total wetland area of the state and it can be assumed that these types of wetlands can sequester 6.63 M t carbon in soils and sediments.
to 2018) changes of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) cover at
Santragachi Lake a Wetland under National Wetland Conservation
Programme of India. Further the relationship between water hyacinth
cover and the most abundant migratory waterbirds of Satragachi, Lesser
Whistling Teal (LWT; Dendrocygna javanica) is assessed because this bird
species is prefer depending on water hyacinth mat for their roosting. The
study comprises of eight satellite images procured from Google earth (2011
to 2018) to explore this relationship. A marked decline in the number of
LWT at Santragachi wetland is observed in the year of 2017 and 2018. It
is very interesting fact that from 2017-2018, the water hyacinth mat of this
wetland is almost cleared before winter and the result of cluster analysis
supports this fact. Significant positive correlation is also observed within
LWT number and water hyacinth cover area (r = 0.7481 at p< 0.05) along
with the total perimeter (r = 0.8648 at p< 0.05) of the water hyacinth
islands at Santragachi wetland. However, open water area is also needed
for diving, swimming, food searching for the LWT and other waterbirds.
Therefore, more study is needed to optimize the clearing operations,
focused on optimizing the shape and size of water hyacinth islands for
proper management of the waterbirds habitat.