Phytosociological Study of Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest of Boudh District, Orissa, India

Abstract

Phytosociological study was carried out in tropical dry deciduous forest of Boudh district, Eastern Ghats of Orissa, India. We inventoried a total of 187 species (trees 91, shrubs 10, climbers 12 and herbs 74) with in a four hectare sampled area. The predominant tree species are Shorea robusta, Madhuca indica, Buchanania lanzan, Cleistanthus collinus and Diospyros melanoxylon. Study area shows species rarity (those represented by ≤2 individuals) of 18%. The Shannon-Weiner index (H') is 4.51, with Simpson’s value 0.92 infer that tropical dry deciduous forests are also species diverse systems. Mean stand density was 591 ha-1 and mean basal area was 25.50 m2 ha-1. Stand density and species richness have consistently decreased with increasing girth class of tree species. Girth class having <30 cm gbh contributed to about 68.13% of species richness. The present study can serve as baseline information for monitoring and sustaining the phytodiversity of tropical dry deciduous forests in the State of Orissa.