Quantitative analysis, distributional pattern and species diversity of woody plant species of Lamberi Forest Range, Rajouri, J&K, India

Abstract

Quantitative analysis, distributional pattern and species diversity of woody plant species of Lamberi Range of Rajouri Forest division, J&K, has been carried out by laying 50 quadrats (10m X 10m size) for trees and 100 quadrats (5m X 5m size) for shrubs. Various phytosociological parameters like frequency, density, abundance, importance value index IVI and diversity indices for trees and shrubs has been used to reveal the plant community structure of the area. The abundance to frequency ratio (A/F) for different species was determined to assess the distribution pattern of the species (regular <0.025, random 0.025-0.05 and contagious >0.05) which indicated the contagious distribution for all the species. Survey of the area revealed presence of 63 woody plant species from the study area comprising of 43 trees and 20 shrubs. Pinus roxburghii (IVI 49.7, Abundance 81.1) and Carissa opaca (IVI 81.12 abundance 7.05) have been recorded as the dominant tree and shrub, respectively, of the area. The computation of diversity indices showed that species richness and evenness i.e Shannon- Weiner’s, Margalef’s and Menhinick’s remained high for trees and low for shrubs. Simpson’s index of dominance was also high for trees. Species which needs priorities for conservation and protection and also required to be monitored have also been highlighted.