Y. Satyanarayan

Abstract

There are no two opinions regarding the need or urgency for the reclamation of the Rajasthan Desert. The principle of afforestation has been accepted by the ad hoc committee and others. But treelands will not solve all the problems, as stated by Shah. The chief problems in the reclamation of the desert are ( 1) immobilization of sands, (2) restoration of original vegetation by means of plant succession, and ( 3) provision of fodder for the sheep industry, which is the largest in India. These latter facts appear to have been ignored by earlier workers. Any attempt to establish treelands under the existing environmental conditions should be tried out with caution. Experiments so far have shown that such attempts are costly. Establishment of grasslands as pioneering vegetation on the dunes and sand plains should be attempted first. There are many indigenous grasses and legumes in the arid zone which form dense associations and can be readily utilized for immobilizing the sand dunes, increasing soil fertility, providing fodder for sheep, cattle and camels in season and hay for winter-feeding. Being pioneer vegetation they would pave the way for an ecological succession of other species, progressing towards the climax. It is however, not argued that treelands have no place in such a grassland management. Without trees, permanent reclamation is not possible and hardy, drought resistant trees should be established either simultaneously with reseeding or after the stabilization of the dunes. New principles of grassland management should be introduced.

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Y. Satyanarayan , M. S. Mudaliyar

Abstract

A brief review of literature on the geology, soils, climate and floristic composition of the evergreen forests of Matheran is presented. A preliminary survey of these forests was made according to modern methods of plant ecology. Data regarding certain analytical characters such as frequency, density, relative density, dominance, and percentage dominance are recorded and the results compared with the numerical percentage data given in the Working Plan. It is shown that Memecylon edule is not the type species of these forests which are codominated by Eugenia jambolana and Eugenia heyneana. The increase in dominance and density of some species and the decrease in the numbers of other species are shown. The paucity of individual species in the higher size classes and the reduction in the dominance of certain species are attributed to intense biotic factors. Similar ecological studies of the various forest types of India are suggested to assesss accuractely their floristic composition in relation to ecological factors.

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K. A. Shankarnarayan , Y. Satyanarayan

Abstract

A brief account of the environment of the Centual Luni Basin in western Rajasthan is given. By line transect and chart quadrat studies, five grassland type have been distinguished in the alluvial plains, viz., (1) Sehima-Dichanthium type, (2) Cenchrus type, (3) Eleusine type, (4) Cynodon type, and (5) Aristida type. The floristic composition and analytical characters for each type are given in detail. The majority of the grasslands are in a degraded condition. The Sehima-Dichanthium and the Cenchrus types can be considered as "excellent" condition class; the Eleusine and Cynodon types as "fair" and the Aristida type as "poor" condition class

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C. P. Bhimaya , A. Cherian , Y. Satyanarayan

Abstract

An ecological study of the vegetation of Kailana, a rocky area 7 miles from Jodhpur was carried out to assess changes in the composition and vegetative cover due to protection. Quantitative data was collected on the analytical characters of trees and shrubs and ground vegetation in different compartments fenced since 1953 to 1957. Comparative studies were made in the unprotected area. An over-all increase in the number of trees and shrubs was observed although succession of vegetation was slow. Of the planted species, Prosopis juliflora and Cassia auriculata have well established. Reduction in the number of some of regressive species like Euphorbia neriifolia and Capparis decidua have been observed. Development of trees and shrubs were found to be better in compartments having favourable micro-relief features. In the case of grasses, it was found that the regressive stage of Oropetium thomaeum-Tragus biflorus is being replaced by a higher perennial grass stage of Eleusine flagellifera-Dactyloctenium sindicum, the establishment being more successful in depressions. An increase in the number of weeds has also been observed in the protected compartments. It has been shown that micro-relief is an important factor in planning afforestation work in arid zone.

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Y. D. Gaur , Y. Satyanarayan

Abstract

Phytosociological studies of the monsoon vegetation of rocky habitat in arid zone were conducted at Kailana plateau. The vegetation and its environmental characters are discussed. Phytoaociologically the vegetation in summer is represented by dried plants of a permanent frame work, i.e,Aristida adsunsionis, Eleusine compressa, Lepidagathis trinervis and Tephrosia purpura which at the onset of rain sprout and are joined by numerous seedlings of annual and perennial plants. The density of annuals and perennials was highest during the middle of monsoon, after which it decreased gradually in perennials and sharply in annuals due to high mortality in the later. The mortality is governed by low moisture in top layers of soil and poor aggressiveness of the species.These factors are also responsible for the death of ephemerals which complete their life cycle within a short period. Except Oropetium thamaeum all the perennials showed continuous increase in their percentage Cover even up to the end of monsoon while annuals have highest percentage cover during the middle of monsoon only. Eleusine compressa is the most dominant species and seems to be the best grass for revegetating rocky habitat.

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