Research Article | Published: 01 December 2014

Vegetational Diversity and its Change Dynamics in Indian Sundarbans

Hari Shankar Lal, Sanjay Singh and Animesh Sinha

Indian Journal of Forestry | Volume: 37 | Issue: 4 | Page No. 365-370 | 2014
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps1000-2014-6Z9587 | Cite this article

Abstract

Sunderban, the mangroves in the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna delta shared between India and Bangladesh are the largest coastal wetland system, well known for their floral diversity.  Vegetation survey and analysis was carried out at 42 forest sites randomly selected in Sundarban to record 30 species of mangrove plants belonging to 18 families. Change dynamics of mangrove forests was also studied taking Champion and Seth (1968) forest type classification as a baseline to record striking changes in forest composition. Significant changes were observed in vegetation composition at sites previously demarcated under a particular sub-type. Palm swamp with predominantly Phoenix paludosa have converted into mangrove scrub with mixed species composition. Some new species have emerged in pure mangrove forest (4B/TS2) which has acquired character of salt water mixed forest (Heretiera). These composition and structure changes of Sundarban forests may be attributed climatic change and anthropogenic pressure.

Keywords

Mangroves, Coastal wet land system, Anthropogenic pressure, Livelihood, Nested quadrat method, Important valve Index (IVI), Climate change

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How to cite

Lal, H.S., Singh, S. and Sinha, A., 2014. Vegetational Diversity and its Change Dynamics in Indian Sundarbans. Indian Journal of Forestry, 37(4), pp.365-370. https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps1000-2014-6Z9587

Publication History

Manuscript Published on 01 December 2014

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