Flora
The
lake hourbours the "aquatic vegetation" of
its own and is typically represents by Algal forms (e.g.
Chaetomorpha and Enteromorpha widely distributed algae
followed by Lyngbya, Ulva, Cladophora and others like
Gloeocapsa, Nostoc, Sprigyra, Oedogonium, Chara, Nitella,
Gracilaria etc.), a number of Diatoms/Phytoplanktons
and a few species of brackish water submerged phanerogams
like Potamogeton pectinatus, Halophila ovalis, Ruppia
maritima, Naja faveolata, Hydrilla verticellata and
Ceratophyllum demersum etc. Some floating plants like
Eichhornia crassipes, Pistia stratiotes and Azolla pinnata
etc. enter the like with flood water but disappear after
a few months. The communities of Schoenoplectus littoralis
in association with Eleocharis dulce, Phragmites karka,
Myrostachya wightii & many other grasses and sedges
also exist in shallow muddy areas.
Species like Salicornia brachiata, Suaeda maritima,
Sesuvium portulacastrum, Phyla nodiflora, Heliotropium
curassavicum & some others occur in marshes and
salt fields along the edges and other shallow areas.
The present scanty littoral and scrub jungles on lake
margin, islands and rocky faces are represented by the
species like Salvadora presica, Pongamia pinnata, Colubrina
asiatica, Cassipourea ceylonica, Aegiceras corniculatum,
Azima tetracantha, Pisonia aculeata, Clerodendron inerme,
Carmona retusa, Carissa spinarumm, Crateva spinarumm,
Meytinus emarginatus, Opuntia dillenii, Ficus sps.,
Crateva adansonii spp., Lepisanthes tetraphylla, Streblus
asper etc. and a number of climbers/twinners and herbaceous
ground flora. The dunes & sandy areas of the beaches
near lake have the floral composition of their own,
favoured in the conditions they offer. The land lying
between Sea and Lagoon exhibits rich growth of casuarina
equisetifolia, planted by Forest Dept.
Fauna There
is a wide varity of animal life forms representing various
groups of Animal Kingdom (ranging from Protozoa, Porifera,
Polyzoa, Brachiopoda, Coelenterata, Ctenophora, Isopoda,
Echiura, Sipuncula, Chaetognatha, Platyhelminthes, Annelida,
Crustacea, Arachinida, Insecta, Mollusca to Fishes,
Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds and Mamals). The more details
of some of these fauna arefurnished here.
Around 158 species of fishes and prawns have so far
been recorded.Crabs like Scylla serrata & Neptunus
pelagicus are the predominent types available here.
Oyster (e.g. Ostrea talpur, Arca, Meretix etc.) occurs
in small patches. Nearabout countless types of Amphibians
Reptiles viz. Snakes, Lizards, Turtles & Crocodiles.
Discovery of Limbless skink (Barakudia insularis), a
rare reptile which was reported first time from loose
soil of Barakudia island by Annandale (1917), attaches
much significance to this place.
The Dolphins have been reported mostly near Satapada-Magarmukha
area and occasionally between Kalijai and Balugaon.
Other mammals reported from small pockets in the surrounding
hlls/forests/scattered islands & amidst the vegetation
of sandy ridge facing Chilika and Sea include Black
bucks (Antilope cervicara), Spotted deer, Fox, Jackal,
Hyaena, Jungle Cat, Hare, Rat, Pachyura (an insectivora),
Common bat, Otter, Common mongoose, Monkey, Squirrel,
Porcupine etc. |
