Impact of urbanization on the Hysicochemical characteristics and its sequential changes in the ethano-botanical composition of the Odathurai lake of Erode district, South India

Water is the elixir of life. Modern human society not interested with the environmental quality, especially with water bodies. Careless attitude towards inland water bodies lead to not only the extinction of precious water ecosystems but also the unimaginable loss of biodiversity. In this aspect most affected groups are aquatic organisms and floral species which highly depended on the inland ecosystem. Most studies have clearly explains the impact of water quality on the aquatic organisms. However, this study intended to high light the impact of water quality on highly useful ethano-botanical species. Odathurai lake of Erode district, South India is a selected study area. Odathurai lake latitude is 11o45’ 28” N and Longitude is 77o 51’ 75” E. By the analysis of water and sediment quality and recording of medicinal plant species, the present investigation addressed that the lake ecosystem is very much affected by urbanization and anthropological activities.