Study of forest diversity in semi-arid agro-climatic conditions of Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

An investigation was carried out to study the vegetational parameters viz., Tree density, Mean Basal Area (MBA), Total Basal Area (TBA) and Importance Index Value (IVI) in semi-arid agro-climatic conditions of Uttar Pradesh. Three locations of Uttar Pradesh i.e. Agra (S1), Mathura (S2) and Hathrus (S3) were selected purposefully for the present study. Total 13 tree species were identified irrespective of site and maximum number of species were belonging to Leguminosae family. Among all sites, Acacia nilotica was one of the most dominant tree species with IVI 64.25(S3), 54.51 (S1) and 60.36 (S2). Total basal area was also found maximum for Acacia nilotica in all sites. Acacia nilotica is a multipurpose tree species which is being uses as timber, fodder, fuel wood, nitrogen fixing, soil amelioration/protection purposes. Keeping in view the agro-climatic conditions of the semi-arid region, this species may be promoted for reclamation of wasteland, road side plantations and for agroforestry.