1. Pattern of invasion by Adhatoda vasica in savannas of Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, Western India
- Author
-
Bhatt, Priyanka, Rawat, G.S., Sankar, K., Tomlinson, K.W., and van Langevelde, F.
- Subjects
Wildlife Ecology and Conservation ,Life Science ,PE&RC - Abstract
As part of global experiments on Savanna vegetation, we examined the ecological characteristics of an importantsemiarid savanna in the Indian sub-continent i.e Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, Western India during April 2009 toMay 2011. 149 plots across five line transects were sampled for phyto-sociological interpretation in the Sariska-Kalighativalley which is the largest savanna valley habitat in the study area. Plots were segregated on the presence/absence ofnative invasive species Adhatoda vasica and community analysis revealed a total of eleven communities (five frominfested plots and six from non-infested plots) and communities having similar composition were compared. Treedensity, seedling density, species richness of shrubs and herbs and diversity and evenness of herbs was higher in noninfestedplots. Sapling density did not follow a trend. Evenness of shrubs was lower in non-infested plots. Furthermore,2 mapping of Adhatoda vasica in the study area revealed that 5.22 km (26.1%) of the Sariska-Kalighati valley was underinfestation and three sites were compared following removal of this species which resulted in increased sapling density,shrub density and grass cover and decreased seedling density and herb density.
- Published
- 2015