Ecological Studies of Saurashtra Coast and Neighbouring Islands II. Beyt Island

The plant ecology Beyt island, a narrow crooked strip of sand rock to the east of Okhamandal point and about 3 km to the north of the mainland of Okhamandal situated 22°35' : 72°21' in the Gulf of Cutch is presented in this paper. Based on the types of situations and edaphic features the vegetation of the island has been distinguished into 3 main categories : (1) Strand, (2) Salt pans, slacks and mud formations and (3) Inland mixed scrub forest. Main features of thewvegetation and analysis of soils are described under the'above mentioned heads. The flora is a mixture of coastal and inland types. Further, the affinity of the flora with the adjacent lands of Cutch and Okhamandal to Diu coastal area has been studied. A list of the plants occurring in the island is enumerated.