Ecology of Some Selected Wetland Macrophytes of Bangladesh

Wetlands are the most threatened ecosystems of the world. In a country like Bangladesh which is burdened with overpopulation and a constant increasing demand of food production, the wetlands and its aquatic plants are the most vulnerable items in view of the agricultural land accretion processes. But on the other hand protection of wetland ecosystems with its biodiversity must also be ensured for a safe environment. In the backdrop of this, study related to growth, regeneration and autecology of four selected wetland macrophytes, namely, Euryale ferox Salisb., Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn., Neptunia natans (L.f.) Druce and Cryptocoryne ciliata (Roxb.) Fisch. ex Wydler. were undertaken. In the present study all the four wetland macrophytes showed unique life cycle. Most of the studied species showed significant relationship with climatic factors in respect to their growth and regeneration. Scopes still exist to carry out similar meso-scale growth studies on threatened aquatic macrophytes. Besides some of their fruits, rhizomes, leaves, etc. should be investigated biochemically for finding new chemicals of pharmacological interest.