Species composition and diversity of legumes in sal plantations of north-eastern Uttar Pradesh, India.

Abstract

The present study aims to compare the composition, diversity and distribution pattern of legumes vs. non- legumes in the regional sal forest of north- eastern Uttar Pradesh, India. In order to show pattern of change in different phytosociological data, the species of similar habits were sorted into different habit groups. In addition to usual regeneration through seeds, a number of legumes also showed non- seed regeneration strategy. As many as 57% of the total legume individuals were of ramet origin but belonged only to 5% of the legumes of forest. The presence of legumes with 41 species (out of 246 in regional forest) sharing 17.7% of importance value (IVI) in sal forest was noticeable. About one third total individuals in forest were herbaceous. Mean density for legume trees was >6 per ha while it was > 6000 per ha for legume shrubs. Moghania chappar, M. lineata, M. bracteata and Desmodium gangeticum were most abundant legume shrubs in regional sal forest. The general rank- abundance curve for regional sal forests was quite steep and close to log normal curve. The legume diversity is crucial for nutritional status of forest soil and legumes are known to heal the disturbed forest. Besides information on the present status of common leguminous vs. non- leguminous species, the results provide clues for the management option in these forests and for the maintenance of legume diversity in such stochastic environment.