The present study provides a comprehensive data regarding the species composition and diversity of vascular plants found in the Char Kukri-Mukri mangrove ecosystem of Bhola district, Bangladesh. It reveals the occurrence of 383 species belonging to 264 genera under 85 families of vascular plants, of which 48 species are mangroves and mangrove associates, and the rest of the 335 species are non-mangroves. The major plant groups, viz., pteridophytes are represented by 11 species under 10 genera and six families; gymnosperms by two species under two genera and two families; magnoliopsida (dicotyledonous) by 278 species belonging to 194 genera and 60 families; and liliopsida by the rest of the 92 species under 59 genera and 17 families. Fabaceae is the largest dicot family with 43 species, and Poaceae with 30 species is recorded as the largest monocot family. Among the life-form categories, 198 (51.7%) species are recorded as herbs, followed by 98 (25.59%), 45 (11.75%), and 42 (10.97%) species those are recognized as trees, shrubs, and climbers, respectively. Seasonal variation in the average value of different diversity indices, including Simpson’s, Shannon-Weiner, Margalef’s, and McIntosh’s diversity indices, representing the range from 0.59 to 0.81, 1.42 to 2.11, 1.67 to 2.39, and 0.38 to 0.61, respectively. The highest diversity indices values were always observed during monsoon season. Based on floristic status, the mangrove ecosystem of Char Kukri-Mukri Island seems to be of moderate quality. Nevertheless, in addition to the effects of climatic stressors, various human activities pose threats that increase the vulnerability of the study area. In this circumstance, the present study strongly recommends minimizing or stopping threat-causing activities, implementing effective conservation measures, and establishing regular monitoring to ensure future sustainability in the study area.
Bhuiyan et al. (Mon,) studied this question.