Phyto-sociological studies of yamuna ravines

摘要

In order to study the impact of biotic interference a study was carried out at CSWCRTI, Research Centre, Agra. Two sites (protected and unprotected) were selected in ravinous habitat, each was divided into top, middle and bottom. In general protected areas registered higher biodiversity compared to unprotected sites. In the slope of protected areas Prosopis julifora and Acacia catechu dominated whereas ravine bottom was dominated by Holoptelia integrifolia. In case of shrubs, Capparis zeylanica andC. decidua dominated ravine top and slope respectively. Among grass species, Cenchrus ciliaris registered the highest density in ravine top whereas Apluda mutica dominated the grass community in ravine slope and bottom. Soil properties were improved inall the locations of protected sites. The organic carbon content was increased by nearly two to three folds as compared to unprotected sites due to higher biodiversity and consequently the available NPK, soil moisture and soil pH considerably improved.