Floristic Diversity, Vegetation Heterogeneity, and Conservation Significance of Odisha Flora: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Odisha, located in eastern India and forming a major component of the Eastern Ghats biogeographic region, represents one of the ecologically significant yet comparatively under-synthesized floristic regions of the Indian subcontinent. The state supports remarkable vegetation heterogeneity encompassing coastal ecosystems, mangrove formations, riverine habitats, tropical dry deciduous forests, moist deciduous forests, semi-evergreen hill vegetation, and plateau ecosystems, collectively contributing to substantial vascular plant diversity and phytogeographical complexity. The present review provides a comprehensive and integrated synthesis of floristic diversity, vegetation structure, ecological gradients, distributional patterns, and conservation significance of Odisha flora based on available botanical and ecological literature. The floristic composition of the state reflects a transitional phytogeographic interface between peninsular and coastal ecosystems, supporting diverse tropical taxa along with ecologically sensitive and regionally restricted plant species. Forest ecosystems of Odisha further contribute significantly to ecosystem functioning through carbon sequestration, hydrological regulation, soil stabilization, climate moderation, and maintenance of ethnobotanical resources associated with indigenous communities. The review identifies major gaps in floristic exploration, taxonomic standardization, geospatial documentation, and long-term biodiversity monitoring, particularly within remote Eastern Ghats landscapes. Increasing anthropogenic disturbances, including habitat fragmentation, mining activities, deforestation, land-use conversion, invasive species expansion, and climate variability, are emerging as major drivers of floristic degradation across the region. This review highlights the urgent necessity for integrated floristic inventories, modern taxonomic reassessment, Geographic Information Systems-based biodiversity mapping, and landscape- level conservation planning for sustainable management of Odisha flora. The study represents one of the few statewide syntheses integrating vegetation heterogeneity, floristic composition, ecological significance, and conservation perspectives of Odisha within the broader Eastern Ghats biodiversity framework.