MONTHLY VARIATION IN CALORIC CONTENTS OF PLANTS IN GRASSLAND COMMUNITIES AROUND SHIMLA, H.P.

摘要

The present investigation was done in the two grassland sites, Site-l (Ungrazed) and Site-ll (grazed), in the Gambhar catchment of river Satluj near Shimla, HP from June, 1983 to May, 1985. The calorific values of legumes and nonlegumes were slightlyhigher in comparison to grasses and sedges. The energy contents of aboveground and belowground biomass compartments in the two sites ranged between 3380 to 4932 cal./g and 3035 to 4932 cal./g, respectively. Standing dead and litter compartments showed lower values. Seasonally, the energy contents were higher in rainy season in aboveground (live) biomass while it attained maximum values in winter season in belowground biomass. Standing dead and litter showed maximum energy values in winter/summer seasons. Energy contents in aboveground (live) biomass were higher in Site-l as compared to Site-ll. Standing crop of energy in aboveground (live) biomass of the community was higher in rainy season while it attained the higher values in winter and/or summer seasons in the other plant compartments. Standing crop of energy in different plant compartments was low in Site-ll as compared to Site-l. Environmental varibales were found to effect caloric contents and standing crop of energy in different plant categories/compartments significantly.