title: Phytodiversity on fly ash deposits: evaluation of naturally colonized species for sustainable phytorestoration.
abstract: Proliferation of fly ash (FA) deposits and its toxicity have become a global concern, which contaminate the ecosystems of our Earth. In this regard, identification of potential plant species for FA deposits' restoration is the main concern. Keeping this view in mind, the present study was conducted to identify potential plant species naturally growing on FA deposits for the restoration purposes. Six intensive surveys were made during 2010-2014 to collect naturally growing plant species during different seasons from two FA deposits in Unchahar of Raebareli district, Uttar Pradesh, India. The plant species having potential for FA deposits' restoration were identified on the basis of their ecological importance, dominance at the study sites and socio-economic importance for rural livelihoods. Typha latifolia L., Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., Saccharum spontaneum L., Saccharum bengalense Retz. (syn. Saccharum munja), Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC., Ipomoea carnea Jacq. and Acacia nelotica L. are identified as potential plant species for FA deposits' restoration. Furthermore, the characteristics of naturally colonized species can be used for the phytorestoration during a revegetation plan of new FA deposits for multiple benefits.
authors.affiliation: Eco-Auditing Group, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India, vimalcpandey@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Vimal Chandra
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Pandey
authors.forename: Prem
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Prakash
authors.forename: Omesh
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bajpai
authors.forename: Akhilesh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Nandita
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D044822:Biodiversity; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D060729:Coal Ash / Q000737:chemistry*; D007194:India; D063245:Plant Development / Q000502:physiology*; D012621:Seasons; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000737:chemistry*; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D060729:Coal Ash; D012989:Soil Pollutants