Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

LIFE FORMS CLASSIFICATION AND BIOLOGICAL SPECTRUM IN NATURAL AND HUMAN IMPACTED ECOSYSTEMS OF SENAPATI DISTRICT, MANIPUR, INDIA

Ng Niirou and Asha Gupta

Abstract

The present study deals with the life-form and biological spectrum of natural and human impacted ecosystems of Senapati district, Manipur. Biological spectrum was compared with Raunkiaer’s normal spectrum. Based on the position of their perennating buds of the plants, the study area has been designated with the Phanero-therophytic phytoclimate. A total of 99 species belonging to 51 families were accounted. Dominance of trees and shrubs vegetation showed the significance of Phanerophytes indicating the ameliorating role of the upper canopy in regulating the microclimate, maintenance of diversity and establishment of herbaceous plants and ecosystem function. Predominance of therophytes is attributed to anthropogenic disturbance like tree felling, introduction of weeds, cattle grazing etc. Presence of more annuals in the present study indicates their invasive nature in all the land uses. Land use change and the anthropogenic disturbance are the most important factors affecting the life form, biological spectrum and species diversity in the present study. Further disturbance may facilitate the phytoclimate into therophanerophytic type in future.