Comparative Study of Phytosociological Status of Herbs and Shrubs in Nanta Forest Region, Rajasthan, India

The objective of this study was to compare the community structure and phytosociological status of shrubs and herbs in two different vegetation stands. The study was carried out in the Nanta forest region which is situated between 25.21525° N and 75.8311° E and comes under the Sakatpura forest range, Ladpura tehsil, Kota District, Rajasthan, India. A random sampling of the flora of the protected vegetation stand (control) and non-protected vegetation stand (experimental sites) was done using quadrates of 100sqm for shrubs and 1sqm for herbs and the data was quantitatively analyzed. In the shrub and herbs layer plant species that have the highest IVI in protected sites are reported absent from non-protected sites. In the present study area, it has been observed that the stem density, basal area, and species richness are lower in non-protected vegetation stands than in protected vegetation sites. In protected and non-protected vegetation, the family Fabaceae dominates the vegetation in terms of IVI. In the shrub layer share of fabaceous species increased whereas in the ground layer, it decreased. Family Fabaceae have the highest species richness; 19 and 27 species in shrub and herb layers respectively in protected vegetation whereas in non-protected vegetation; 4 species each of Asteraceae and Poaceae. The Dominance-diversity curve of shrub+saplings as well as herbs+ seedlings in protected vegetation show a gradual decrease in abundance whereas non-protected vegetation exhibits a sharp decline in IVI values, indicating a natural tendency for a small number of dominating species with high relative values. Overall floral diversity is reduced and dominance increased. It can be concluded that disturbances can cause changes in species composition or sometimes total replacement of plant species. Disturbances can affect the overall phytosociological characteristics of vegetation.