Exploring Tree Communities in the Ecologically Significant Banas River Corridor of Gujarat: A Phytosociological Analysis

Abstract

The findings of a phytosociological study conducted in the Banas River Corridor of Gujarat, India, are presented in this article. The primary objectives of the study were to identify, characterize, and classify the naturally occurring vegetation community in the area. Quadrate method used for vegetation sampling, which resulted in the documentation of 70 tree species. The IVI value indicated that Prosopis juliflora was the most successful and well-established species in the area. The recorded species were found to have contiguous distribution within the study area, and the overall vegetation community was observed to be heterogeneous. However, human activities such as fire incidence, livestock grazing, and other disturbances have led to the depletion of the forest's old and uneven age structure. The study provides crucial baseline information on the dry forests of the Banas River Corridor, highlighting the need for appropriate conservation and management practices to improve the botanical value of the area and its significance for other life forms.