Phytosociological Analysis of Shrubs in Forest Division of Jhalawar, Rajasthan

Abstract

Abstract Phytosociology is the study of the community dynamics and their ecological relationship within plant communities or in a defined geographical area. Shrub layer is contributed to biodiversity maintenance and regeneration dynamics via safeguarding sapling and seedling. Sums of 800 quadrats of 5m x 5m established through diagonally nested quadrat method along transect line for sampling. Phytosociological analysis assessed 20 shrub speciesbelonging to 12 families and 18 genera. An average of 474 individual/ hectare with basal area 1.11 m2/ hectare has been reported. The dominant shrub species reported in term of IVI wasNeltuma juliflora (63.80) followed by Lantana camara (54.14) as co-dominant surprisingly both are invasive alien species indicates moderate anthropogenic disturbance and canopy openness; suppress growth of native vegetation through dense thicket formation throughout the forest division. Indices like Shannon- Wiener (2.44), Simpson (0.12), Pielou (0.86), Menhinick (0.65) and Margalef (2.77) indicated moderate species diversity with structurally balanced shrub community. The study also highlights the significant presence of species like Annona squamosa, Carissa spinarum, Holarrhenaantidysenterica,Maytenusemarginata and Vitexnegundosuggest habitat complexity of ecologically important native shrub population.The study also sets a baseline for phytosociological inventories for other forest area and advances our understanding to develop a comprehensive forest working which maximize the biodiversity conservation and sustainable forest management.