A Study of Phytosociology Characteristics of Tree Species Along an Altitudinal Gradient of Khonsa Forest Division Arunachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

The study's goal is to evaluate the phytosociology of several tree species in the Khonsa Forest Division. For the sample plots placed in the forest area underneath the research area, a random sampling design was used. For the calculation of different phyto-sociological attributes 40 identified tree species were found under <800m, 61 species were found under 800-1800m and 39 species were found under >1800m. The total density per hectare at 800m was 141.818 tree/hectare, 800-1800m was 215.360 tree/hectare, and >1800m was 235.926 tree/hectare. The Shannon Weiner's index was 2.390, 2.799, and 2.469 at 800m, 800m to 1800m, and >1800m, respectively. At 800m, 800-1800m, and 1800m, the species evenness of the study area was 0.652, 0.684, and 0.679 respectively. The Simpson index was 0.028, 0.019, and 0.023 at 800m, 800-1800m and >1800m respectively. It was found that at <800 m elevation, the highest IVI was in Terminalia myriocarpa (39.891) followed by Ailanthus integrifolia (30.085) and least in Artocarpus chaplasha (0.155). At elevation 800-1800m the highest IVI was in Schima wallichi (23.168) followed by Altingia excels (20.429) and least in Tetrameles nudiflora (0.127). The highest IVI at >1800m was in Magnolia champaca (28.893) followed by Schima wallichi (27.479) and least in Eleocarpus floribundus (0.211).