Floristic Diversity, Life-Form Structure and Conservation Management of Abheda Biological Park, Kota, Rajasthan (India)

The present study documents the floristic diversity, life-form composition, and conservation significance of Abheda Biological Park (ABP), Kota, Rajasthan, located in the semi-arid zone of southeastern Rajasthan. The park represents an important green refuge within an increasingly urbanized landscape and plays a vital role in biodiversity conservation, ecological stability, and wildlife habitat support. Extensive field surveys were conducted during different seasons to record both perennial and seasonal plant species across various habitats, including grasslands, scrub areas, plantation blocks, and natural forest patches. Species identification was carried out using standard floras, taxonomic keys, and relevant scientific literature, and only well-confirmed taxa were included in the final checklist. A total of 296 plant species belonging to 74 families were documented from Abheda Biological Park and its surrounding areas. The life-form analysis revealed a clear dominance of herbaceous species (149 species), followed by trees (75 species), climbers (37 species), and shrubs (35 species). This composition reflects the semi-arid climatic conditions, open habitats, and seasonal rainfall pattern of the region. Among plant families, Poaceae emerged as the most dominant, followed by Fabaceae and Asteraceae, indicating the ecological importance of grasses and nitrogen-fixing legumes in sustaining ecosystem productivity and supporting wildlife. The study highlights that the park harbors both naturally occurring vegetation and large-scale plantations, collectively contributing to habitat heterogeneity, soil conservation, and forage availability for fauna. The presence of native tree species, grasses, medicinal plants, and climbers enhances the ecological resilience of the park under semi-arid conditions. This floristic inventory provides baseline scientific data essential for long-term biodiversity monitoring, habitat management, and restoration planning. The findings emphasize the conservation value of Abheda Biological Park as an urban biodiversity hotspot and recommend the promotion of native, drought-adapted species, regular vegetation monitoring, and GIS-based mapping for sustainable management and future conservation planning.