Phytosociological study of plant species in three tropical dry deciduous forests of Birbhum District, West Bengal, India

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Research Paper 01/08/2015
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Phytosociological study of plant species in three tropical dry deciduous forests of Birbhum District, West Bengal, India

Bandana Pradhan, Chowdhury Habibur Rahaman
J. Bio. Env. Sci.7( 2), 22-31, August 2015.
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Abstract

Birbhum district of West Bengal, India harbours floristically important Northern Tropical Dry Deciduous forests and is quite enrich with phytodiversity. But no quantitative analysis of forest structure, its phytosociology and status of the plant species has been carried out in the forest areas of Birbhum district. In this scenario, an attempt has been made to analyze the vegetation structure, composition and diversity of plant species in three forest areas of the district (Illambazar, Chorchor and Ganpur) following standard ecological methods. The importance value index (IVI) of total 486 tree individuals belonging to 20 species has been determined.Shorearobusta Gaertn. f. is the dominant tree species showed maximum IVI value in each three forest areas. Madhuca longifolia (Koenig) Macbride and Buchanania lanzan Spreng. have been identified as the next dominant species in the forest areas. The IVI values of rest 17 tree species were found unsatisfactory. Diameter class of the tree species ranged from 05-10 cm. Here, the Shannon- Weiner index (H’) ranged from 0.11- 0.48 in Illambazar forest, 0.08-0.50 in Chorchor forest and 0.18-0.95 in Ganpur forest. In Chorchor and Ganpur forests, the density distribution pattern of tree species showed a typical reverse J-shaped curve and in Illambazar forest, it was found as A-shaped curve. Ground vegetation comprises of species of 6 shrubs, 8 herbs and 12 climbers and saplings of 9 species. This study will provide the baseline information for effective conservation of phytoresources of these three forest areas of Birbhum district.

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