Biodiversity Characterisation at Community Level In R V Nagar Forest Alluri Sitarama Raju District Andhra Pradesh India

Abstract

The present investigation deals with the phytosociological aspects of R. V. Nagar newlineforest, Alluri Sitaramaraju District, Andhra Pradesh. Broadly keeping these newlineobjectives in mind, the present study was conducted at 5 different locations inside newlinethe forest. The present study lists 253 species of angiospermic plants represented newlineunder 61 families. Out of 253 plant species 113, 23 and 117 are trees, shrubs and newlineherbs distributed under 36, 14 and 35 families, respectively. Species richness in terms newlineof number of species of trees, higher in Site-2 (69) compared to other sites, Species newlinerichness in shrubs higher in Site-1 (14) compared to other sites and Species richness newlinein terms of number of species of herbs higher in Site-1 (84) compared to other sites. newlineAmong the tree species, Mangifera indica contributed the highest percentage to the newlinetotal basal area at 16.46%, conversely, the species experiencing the lowest newlineImportance Value Index is Casearia esculenta (0.006), particularly noted at site-1. newlineConsidering all study sites, shrub density varied from 27 to 108 plants/ha, with the newlinehighest density observed at site-5 (Chinthapalli) and the lowest at site-2 newline(Lankapakal). newlineThe similarity index among different sites range between 42. 99 (site-1 and 5) to newline77. 64 (site-4 and 5) for trees; 33.33 (site-3 and 5) to 72. 72 (site-3 and 4) for shrubs and newline23. 8 (site-2 and 5) to 63. 3 (site-1 and 2) for herbs. Species diversity index of different newlinelayers of the vegetation varies from 3.198 to 3.621 for trees; 0.9847 to 2.257 for shrubs newlineand 3.076to 4.079 for herbs. In case of tree and herbs layer the species diversity index newlinemore in the all study sites. However, the reverse trend is noticed in case of shrubs. newlineSpecies richness of tree species were higher in the site-2 (Lankapakala) and lower newlinespecies richness observed at site-5 (Chinthapalli). Whereas species richness of shrub newlinespecies were more in site-1 and less in site-5. Similarly that of shrubs layer, herbs newlinehigher in the site-1 and less in the site-5. The species turnover rate