Diversity and Phytosociological Analysis of Tree Species in Sacred Groves of Vijaypur Block; Samba (J&K)
Abstract: The sacred groves are the representatives of climax vegetation and exhibit the diversity of species such as trees; climbers; epiphytes and other shade loving herbs. Well-preserved sacred groves are storehouses of valuable medicinal and other plants having high economic value and serve as a refuge to threatened species. Every sacred grove carries its own legends; lore; and myths which form the integral part of the sacred grove. The present study was conducted; to study the sacred groves from ecological and floristic point of view in Vijaypur Block of Samba district; J & K. For this the tree diversity in some prominent sacred groves of Vijaypur Block was studied by random sampling using Quadrat method. In all; 30 sampled plots each of 10 m 10 m size were laid in the sacred groves. Altogether; 28 tree species were enumerated from the sacred groves. Based on the calculations of frequency; density and abundance; IVI of each species was calculated. The basal area of the trees varied between highest of 712.33m2/ha for Ficus religiosa followed by 472.16m2/ha for Eucalyptus citridora and a lowest of 3.16m2/ha for Morus alba. The overall tree diversity in sacred groves calculated by Shannon Weiner index was found to be 2.62. Some important trees in the groves are Mangifera indica; Syzygium cumini; Eucalyptus; Ficus religiosa etc.
Keywords: Sacred grove, epiphytes, threatened, IVI, Shannon Weiner index etc
How to Cite?: Kulvinder Kour, Sanjay Sharma, "Diversity and Phytosociological Analysis of Tree Species in Sacred Groves of Vijaypur Block; Samba (J&K)", Volume 3 Issue 6, June 2014, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 859-862, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=2014334, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/2014334