Dilip Kumar Sharma and O.P. Sharma
Abstract
Phyto-sociological methods are one of the best for assessment and documentation of the present status of vegetation in the light of rapid extinction of native species and invasion of exotic species. The studies not only revealed comprehensive understanding of composition and structure of herbaceous vegetation but also highlight ecological dynamics and relationship within plant communities. Phytosociological data were collected using standard quadrat method comprising 800 sample plots of 1m x1m size which were laid within the main quadrat along transect line at 0.2% sampling intensity. Sampling plots recorded 4800 individual belongs to 20 species; rest species has taken a few km walk to locate them especially in sacred areas. Various ecological parameters including density, frequency, dominance and diversity indices were calculated to assess the population structure in herbaceous layer. Although the study area governs by therophytes yet highest ecological success in term of importance value index was reported by Mesosphaerum suaveolens (90.69) as dominant while Parthenium hysterophorus (38.31) and Senna tora (30.21) as co-dominant. Furthermore, Shannon-Weinner index (2.46), Simpson index (0.87), Pielou index (0.82), Menhinick index (0.29) and Margalef index (2.24) has been observed as significant variations in species composition, abundance and diversity among various forest ranges of the study area. The finding underscore the cataloguing of herbaceous flora in the light of anthropogenic disturbances especially excessive grazing practice leads to expansion of non-fodder herbaceous and invasion of obnoxious exotic species ultimately alter the phytosociology of Forest Division of Jhalawar. This phytosociological inventory provides scientific and baseline information on the availability of flora and also set a baseline for other forest management studies and initiatives.