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Effects of Homegarden Size on Floristic Composition and Diversity along an Altitudinal Gradient in Central Himalaya, India


Affiliations
1 Department of Botany, Dev Singh Bisht Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital 263 001, India
 

In the present study, data were collected from 36 homegardens at four altitudes, viz. very low (up to 350 m), low (350–700 m), mid (700–1500 m) and high (above 2000 m). Homegardens were categorized into three sizes: large (>0.007 ha), medium (0.004–0.006 ha) and small (<0.003 ha). A total of 111 plant species belonging to 55 families were recorded. Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Cucurbitaceae (seven species each) formed the most diverse family, and 34 families were mono-specific. Species richness was maximum (22) in medium homegarden at mid altitude and minimum (11) in small homegardens at high altitude. Herb density was maximum (84 individuals m2) at very low altitude and diversity was maximum (2.38) at mid altitude in large homegardens. Tree density was maximum (1200 individuals ha–1) at mid altitude and diversity was maximum (2.42) at very low altitude in large homegardens. Total tree basal area was maximum (66.61 m2 ha–1) in small homegardens at very low altitude. Principal component analysis showed that the first component accounted for 54.53% most reliable and high loadings of tree (0.959) and herb density (0.922) with positive effect. The second component (74.93%) showed high factor loading of concentration of dominance for herbs (0.729) with positive effect.

Keywords

Altitudinal Gradient, Floristic Composition, Homegarden Size, Species Diversity.
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  • Effects of Homegarden Size on Floristic Composition and Diversity along an Altitudinal Gradient in Central Himalaya, India

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Authors

Vibhuti
Department of Botany, Dev Singh Bisht Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital 263 001, India
Kiran Bargali
Department of Botany, Dev Singh Bisht Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital 263 001, India
S. S. Bargali
Department of Botany, Dev Singh Bisht Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital 263 001, India

Abstract


In the present study, data were collected from 36 homegardens at four altitudes, viz. very low (up to 350 m), low (350–700 m), mid (700–1500 m) and high (above 2000 m). Homegardens were categorized into three sizes: large (>0.007 ha), medium (0.004–0.006 ha) and small (<0.003 ha). A total of 111 plant species belonging to 55 families were recorded. Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Cucurbitaceae (seven species each) formed the most diverse family, and 34 families were mono-specific. Species richness was maximum (22) in medium homegarden at mid altitude and minimum (11) in small homegardens at high altitude. Herb density was maximum (84 individuals m2) at very low altitude and diversity was maximum (2.38) at mid altitude in large homegardens. Tree density was maximum (1200 individuals ha–1) at mid altitude and diversity was maximum (2.42) at very low altitude in large homegardens. Total tree basal area was maximum (66.61 m2 ha–1) in small homegardens at very low altitude. Principal component analysis showed that the first component accounted for 54.53% most reliable and high loadings of tree (0.959) and herb density (0.922) with positive effect. The second component (74.93%) showed high factor loading of concentration of dominance for herbs (0.729) with positive effect.

Keywords


Altitudinal Gradient, Floristic Composition, Homegarden Size, Species Diversity.

References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.18520/cs%2Fv114%2Fi12%2F2494-2503