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Status of Ground Species Richness, Diversity, Percent Cover and Biomass of Papgani River Basin, a Tributary River of Pennar, Andhra Pradesh, India


Affiliations
1 Centre for Sustainable Future, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham (Amrita University), Amritanagar P.O., Ettimadai, Coimbatore-641 112, T. N., India
 

In the present study, status of ground plant species of the Papgani river basin was studied. A total of 210 sampling points were selected and nested plots were developed to quantify the herbs and grasses of this region. 156 plant species were recorded with the diversity (H) of 2.33 and density 16 plants/sqm. Biomass of an ecosystem showed 0.90t/ha with a ground cover of 54.32%. The regression analysis was carried out to examine the relationship among density, ground cover and biomass. Relationships of the above said variable was weakened by grazing, frequent fire and human intervention, the hypothetic statement was proved using "t" test. The anthropogenic threads dominate the fast growing unpalatable species like, Cymbopogon and Heteropogon spp. It reduces the productivity and functions of a river ecosystem.

Keywords

Papgani, Biomass, Ground Cover, Grazing.
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  • Status of Ground Species Richness, Diversity, Percent Cover and Biomass of Papgani River Basin, a Tributary River of Pennar, Andhra Pradesh, India

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Authors

S. Rajendrakumar
Centre for Sustainable Future, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham (Amrita University), Amritanagar P.O., Ettimadai, Coimbatore-641 112, T. N., India

Abstract


In the present study, status of ground plant species of the Papgani river basin was studied. A total of 210 sampling points were selected and nested plots were developed to quantify the herbs and grasses of this region. 156 plant species were recorded with the diversity (H) of 2.33 and density 16 plants/sqm. Biomass of an ecosystem showed 0.90t/ha with a ground cover of 54.32%. The regression analysis was carried out to examine the relationship among density, ground cover and biomass. Relationships of the above said variable was weakened by grazing, frequent fire and human intervention, the hypothetic statement was proved using "t" test. The anthropogenic threads dominate the fast growing unpalatable species like, Cymbopogon and Heteropogon spp. It reduces the productivity and functions of a river ecosystem.

Keywords


Papgani, Biomass, Ground Cover, Grazing.

References