Applied Ecology and Environmental Sciences
ISSN (Print): 2328-3912 ISSN (Online): 2328-3920 Website: https://www.sciepub.com/journal/aees Editor-in-chief: Alejandro González Medina
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Applied Ecology and Environmental Sciences. 2013, 1(4), 49-54
DOI: 10.12691/aees-1-4-3
Open AccessArticle

Floristic Diversity of Kandi Region of Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India

Laxmi Rawat1, R. K. Manhas2, , Deepak Kholiya1 and S. K. Kamboj1

1Forest Ecology & Environment Division, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India

2Department of Botany, Govt. Degree College, Kathua, India

Pub. Date: June 07, 2013

Cite this paper:
Laxmi Rawat, R. K. Manhas, Deepak Kholiya and S. K. Kamboj. Floristic Diversity of Kandi Region of Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India. Applied Ecology and Environmental Sciences. 2013; 1(4):49-54. doi: 10.12691/aees-1-4-3

Abstract

Present study was conducted in the Kandi region of Hoshiarpur, India. Kandi region is the transitional zone between the Siwaliks and the plains. Field trips were undertaken weekly in all parts of the study site and plants were collected during each trip. Herbaceous flora was excavated as a whole whereas in case of shrubs and trees, only the tender twigs bearing flowers and/or fruits were taken. The dried specimens were mounted on the herbarium sheets. These herbarium sheets were protected against damages by poisoning them with 1% mercuric chloride and naphthalene balls. Total 176 plant species belonging to 57 families and 133 genera were recorded from the study site. Out of these 176 plants, 175 were angiosperms and 1 was gymnosperm. The contribution of dicotyledons was 78.3% (137 species and 105 genera) and monocotyledons 21.7% (38 species and 27 genera). Poaceae was the most dominant family with 30 species and 21 genera. Other important families were Papilionaceae, Caesalpiniaceae, Euphorbeaceae, Apocynaceae, Acanthaceae and Mimosaceae. The most dominant life form was trees (36.9%), followed by shrubs (22.7%), grasses (17.1%), herbs (13.6%), climbers (8.5%) and sedges (1.1%). Studies of forest flora provide useful information on several aspects related to species diversity like dominant families, life-form status etc. The researchers and forest managers can exploit this information in planning of sustainable utilization of these resources. Time to time assessment of species diversity also helps in studying the impact of temporal changes like climate change on species distribution.

Keywords:
grazing life-formpapilionaceaepoaceae shiwaliks

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