Floral diversity in a science communication and outreach facility (Pushpa Gujral Science city) in Punjab (India)
Paper Details
Floral diversity in a science communication and outreach facility (Pushpa Gujral Science city) in Punjab (India)
Abstract
Pushpa Gujral Science City, Kapurthala is one of the biggest science parks of its kind in North India. The campus is rich in both floral and faunal diversity. With times, this diversity has been modified and tried to sustain itself in changing circumstances. Therefore the present study was conducted to examine and document the floral diversity of the campus. Documentation of biodiversity of the campus helps to determine the existing resources and to set target for future improvements. The study involve monthly field visits to the campus of an area of 72 acres for assessment of higher plants. It comprises 168 species belonging to 144 genera and 58 families as per the APG III classification. Five dominant families in term of number of species are Fabaceae, Apocynaceae, Bignoniaceae, Moraceae and Arecaceae. The campus was dominated by angiosperms (96%) and tree species (54%). Study on tree species with respect to the relative abundance & density indicate that Alstonia scholaris is the most dominant species with relative abundance of 0.101 and Density of 3.86 per acre followed by Chukrasia tabularis, Jacaranda acutifolia, Mimusops elengi with relative abundance/density of 0.084/3.22, 0.045/1.74, 0.041/1.58, respectively. The species of exotic plants were well represented in the study area. The outcome of the study would be useful in providing planning recommendations for protecting urban biodiversity as well as natural ecosystem.
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Neelima Jerath, Gurharminder Singh, Rupali Bal, Kuljinder Kaur, 2017. Floral diversity in a science communication and outreach facility (Pushpa Gujral Science city) in Punjab (India). J. Biodiv. Environ. Sci., 11(2), 29-39.
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