Ecological Assessment of the Plant Communities in two different forests of Ri-Bhoi district, Meghalaya S.I. Bhuyan Department of Botany, University of Science & Technology, Meghalaya, 9 th Mile, Ri-Bhoi, Meghalaya-793101 safibhuyan@gmail.com B.N. Baruah Department of Botany, University of Science & Technology, Meghalaya, 9 th Mile, Ri-Bhoi, Meghalaya-793101 bhabanandabaruah1@gmail.com Abstract Present study was conducted in Ri Bhoi district, Meghalaya during 2013-14. Ecological assessment of the plant communities was carried out with details of the floristic study i.e. habitat, heights, and natures of the perennating buds together with the diversity of the plant species. A total 100 plant species belonging to 33 families were recorded in the selected study sites. Plant species composing flora the study area 27% are Phanerophytes, 11% Chamaephytes, 55% Hemicryptophytes and 7% Cryptophyte. Phytoclimate of the locality is Hemicryptophytes type. Keywords: Biological spectrum, Floristic study, Phytoclimate. 1. INTRODUCTION: North east India is an area of special significance for biodiversity conservation because of their high species diversity. The area has a range of landscapes and plant communities associated with high variability on a fairly small scale in the topography, altitude, status of soil and climatic conditions which favour high species richness and support different types of forests such as deciduous and evergreen tropical forests, sub-tropical semi-evergreen forest and sub-tropical pine forest. The region contains more than 8000 flowering plants including several representatives of primitive angiosperms (Takthajan, 1969; Rao, 1994). Meghalaya one of the eight northeastern states has a great plant diversity. Plant community of these forests occupy a large number of trees, shrubs, herbs, climbers, epiphytes and wealth of non-timber forest products (NTFP) including medicinal and aromatic plants (MAP) and wild edible plants. However, due to different reasons diversity is under threat. The loss of diversity in the forest of Meghalaya plant communities coincided with the destruction of habitat by construction. Destruction, deterioration and fragmentation of their habitats, many species have recently been forced into small and isolated populations. In the last thirty years, the wild vegetation of Barapani and adjacent areas of Meghalaya has been endangered which resulted in disappearance of different species, rarity of trees, and change in vegetation composition. Explosive growth of its population also a great threat for the natural resources is available to this region. Therefore, it is very important at present time to conserve, reallocate and use the natural biological resources in sustainable way. The sustainability and efficiency of forest ecosystems is being influenced by different anthropogenic effects. Changes in plant composition of forests, high decline in the number and quality of trees, shrubs and herbs are strong indicators of unsustainable use of natural resources. However, it can be restored through strengthening the sustainable utilization of plant resources. To conserve the ecosystem it requires an ability to quantify what is there and how it is changing; as well as an understanding of the options to manage these ecosystems for sustainability. Present study has been made with the aim to investigate ecological knowledge by assessing the diversity and life form of plant communities found at two forests in Ri-Bhoi district, Meghalaya. This outcome would be useful for formulating appropriate conservation strategies. 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study area The study was conducted in two forest areas of RiBhoi district, Meghalaya located between 90 55 15 to 91 16 latitude and 25 40 to 25 21 longitude. The climate of the area is monsoonic with distinct warm-wet and cool-dry seasons. The average annual rainfall is about 2500 mm, more than 85% of IJMSET promotes research nature, Research nature enriches the world s future 57
which is received during May to September. For studying the floristic composition of the forests two sites were selected. Byrnihut and Barapani. Methods Extensive field survey and collection of data was carried out in the study sites during 2012-13. Plant materials were collected for each of the species from all the study sites as per standard taxonomic procedure (Jain and Rao, 1977). Identification of species was done with the help of taxonomic literature and authentic herbarium specimens in herbaria of Department of Botany, USTM and Botanical Survey of India, Shillong. Life form analysis was completed after detailed floristic studies of the area. Different parameters such as form, habit, height and nature of perennating bud of each species were observed. Classification on the physiognomic basis was prepared by the method as mentioned by Raunkier, 1934. Field survey and collection of data was carried out at monthly intervals during the study period. 3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Floristic Composition and Life Forms: In the present study a total 100 plant species, 91 genus belonging to 33 families were recorded in the selected study sites (Table 1). Out of 100 species 92 no. of species were found in both the sites. Number of species found in site 1 is 98 species and 93 species in sites-2. The most dominant family recorded as a whole is Asteraceae (18 species); followed by poaceae (13), vervenacea (10), Cyperaceae (7), euphorbiacea (5), amaranthaceae (4) (Fig. 1). Table 1: List of plants found at two different sites Sl. No. Species Family Sit-I (Jorabat) Site-II (Barapani) Life forms 1 Abutilon hirtum Malvaceae + + Ph 2 Acalypha indica Euphorbiaceae + + Ph 3 Achyranthes aspera Amaranthaceae + + H 4 Ageratum conyzoides Asteraceae +.. H 5 Alternanthera seselis Amaranthaceae + + H 6 Amaranthus spinosus Amaranthaceae + + Ph 7 Bambussa balooa Poaceae + + Ph 8 Bauhinia variegata Ceasalpiniaceae + + Ph 9 Bidens pilosa Asteraceae + + Ph 10 Blumea glomerata Asteraceae + + H 11 Brassica compestris Brassicaceae + + Ph 12 Brassica juncea Brassicaceae + + Ph 13 Brassica nigra Brassicaceae + + Ph 14 Calicarpa rualia Verbanaceae + + Ph 15 Cammelia caudata Theaceae ---- Ph IJMSET promotes research nature, Research nature enriches the world s future 58
16 Catelpa bignoniodes Bigononiacea + + Ph 17 Cathranthus roseus Apocynaceae + + Ch 18 Centelea asiatica Apiaceae + + H 19 Chysopogan aciculatus Poaceae + + H 20 Cleome viscosa Cleomaceae + + Ph 21 Clerodendrum infortunatum Verbenaceae + + Ph 22 Clerondendrum viscosum Verbenaceae + + Ph 23 Colendula officinalis Asteraceae + + H 24 Commelina benghalensis Commelinaceae + + H 25 Convulvulas pluricaulis Convolovulaceae + + H 26 Crotolaria juncea Papilionaceae + + H 27 Crotolaria stricta Papilionaceae + ------ Ph 28 Cucurbita chorantia Cucurbitaceae + + H 29 Cynodon dacltylon Poaceae + + Cr 30 Cyperus rotundus Cyperaceae + + Cr 31 Cyperus distans Cyperaceea + + Cr 32 Cyperus flabelliformis Cyperaceea + + Cr 33 Cyperus scariocus Bor. Cyperaceea + + Cr 34 Dentella repens Rubiaceae + ------- H 35 Diffuglosa coloretus Acanthaceae + + H 36 Digitaria ciliaris Poaceae + + Cr 37 Drymaria cordata Caryophyllaceae + + H 38 Duranta plumieri Verbanaceae + ---------- Ph 39 Echinochloa colona Poaceae + + Cr 40 Eclipta alba Asteraceae ------ H 41 Eleophentopus scaber Asteraceae + + H 42 Eleusine indica Gaerth Poaceae + + H 43 Eupatorium odoratum Asteraceae + + Ph 44 Euphorbia hirta Euphorbiaceae + + Ch 45 Euphorbia neriifolia Euphorbiaceae + + Ph IJMSET promotes research nature, Research nature enriches the world s future 59
46 Floscopa scandens Commelinaceae + + H 47 Gomphrena globosa Amaranthaceae + + H 48 Gnaphlium cordifolium Asteraceae + + H 49 Helianthus sinensis Asteraceae + + Ph 50 Holmskioldia sangunea Verbenaceae + + Ph 51 Imperata cylindrica Poaceae + + H 52 Ipomea fistulosa Convulvulaceae + + Ch 53 Ipomea tropica Convulvulaceae + + H 54 Ixora coccinea Rubiaceae + + Ph 55 Jasminum caudatum Oleaceae + + Ch 56 Jussea rapens Onagracaea + ----- H 57 Kyllinga monocephala Cyperaceae + + H 58 Launnia asplenipholia Asteraceae + + H 59 Lantana camera (L. indica) Verbanaceae + + Ch 60 Leucus aspera Verbanaceae + + H 61 Lipia alba Labiaceae + ------ H 62 Malva silvestis Malvaceae + + Ch 63 Mazus japonicas Scrophulariaceae + + H 64 Mentha viridis Lamiaceae + + H 65 Mikenia cordata Asteraceae + + Ch 66 Mimosa pudica Mimoceae + + H 67 Mussaenda luteola Rubiaceae + + Ph 68 Nepenthes khasiana Nepenthaceae + + H 69 Nusturtiun indica Capparidaceae + + H 70 Nyctanthus arbortristis Oleaceae + + Ph 71 Ocimum basilicum Lamiaceae + + Ch 72 Ocimum sanctum Lamiaceae + + H 73 Oldenlendia corymbosa Rubiacea ---- + H 74 Ophiuros megaphylus Poaceae + + H 75 Panicum maxima Poaceae + + Ch IJMSET promotes research nature, Research nature enriches the world s future 60
76 Parthenium hystosporus Asteraceae + + H 77 Paspelum compectum Poaceae + + H 78 Peristraphe roxburghii Acanthaceae + + H 79 Phragmetes korka Cyperaceae + + Ph 80 Phyla nudiflora Verbanaceae + + H 81 Phylanthus niruri Euphorbiaceae + + H 82 Polygonum chinesnsis Polygonaceae + + H 83 Pouzolzia indica Urticaceae + + Ch 84 Ricinus communis Euphorbiaceae + + Ph 85 Sonchus arvensis Asteraceae + + H 86 Scirpus articulatus Cyperaceae + + H 87 Scoparia dulcis Scrophulariceae + + H 88 Setaria pallide fusca Poaceae + + H 89 Seteria glauca Poaceae + + H 90 Solanum nigram Solanaceae + + H 91 Spilanthes paniculata Asteraceae + + H 92 Taraxacum officinalis Asteraceae + + H 93 Tidex procumbens Asteraceae + + H 94 Tabernaemantona diverticata Apocynaceae + + H 95 Urtica dioeca Urticaceae + + H 96 Verbena officinalis Verbenaceae + + H 97 Vernomia cinerea Asteraceae + + H 98 Vetiveria zizanoides Poaceae + + H 99 Vitex negundo Verbanaceae + + Ch 100 Xanthium strumarium Asteraceae + + Ph (The signs + or - represents presence or absence of the species respectively, Ph Phenarophytes; H Hemicryptophytes; Cr- Cryptophyte; Ch Chamaephytes) IJMSET promotes research nature, Research nature enriches the world s future 61
The graphical representation of Raunkiaer s normal spectrum is shown in the figure 1. Present study reveals that the plant species composing flora 27% are Phanerophytes, 11% chamaephytes, 55% Hemicryptophytes and 7% Cryptophyte (Fig. ). Phytoclimate of the locality is Hemicryptophytes type. The climate is favorable for Hemicryptophytes types of plants. However, Aerophytes were absent from the study site. Figure 1. Different life forms of plant community (both the sites). Figure 2. Graphical representation of different life forms (sites-1). IJMSET promotes research nature, Research nature enriches the world s future 62
Figure 3. Graphical representation of different life forms (sites-2). Life-form study is an important part of vegetation description, ranking next to floristic composition (Cain, 1950). Plants are grouped in life-form classes based on their similarities in structure and function in their habitat. Life forms of the plant community reflect the environmental conditions of that area. It also related to the adaptation of the species to that locality. Biological spectra help to compare geographically widely separated plant communities and these physiognomic features of the ecosystem are regarded as indicators of biotic interaction, climate and habitat deterioration. However, unmanaged anthropogenic practices have an impact on the plant diversity and population size of these plats resources. Habitat fragmentation and habitat destruction are being considered to be the major threats to biological diversity. Human activities have had a strong impact on landscape structures, which leads to declining in habitat size, an increase in habitat isolation and loss of plant-animal interactions (Fischer and Matthies, 1998). Various studied have shown that plants in fragmented populations may be smaller, have lower reproductive output and reduced seed germinability compared to non-fragmented populations. 4. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: The authors are thankful to the faculty member (Dr. Bedabati Choudhuri, Dr. Asad Ali and Dr. Ranee Das) and students of Botany Department for their assistance in the field work. 6. REFERENCES: [1].Cain, S. A. Liofe-forms and phytoclimate. Bot. rev., 16:1-32. 1950. [2].Fischer, M., Matthies, D. Effects of population size on performance in the rare plant Gentianella germanica. Journal of Ecology 86: 195-204. 1998. [3].Jain, S. K., & Rao, R. R. A handbook of field and herbarium methods. New Delhi: Today and Tomorrow's Printers and Publishers xvi, 157p.-Illus.. General (KR, 197700062). 1977. [4].Rao, R.R. Biodiversity in India. Floristic aspects. Dehradun: Bishen Singh, Mahendra Pal Singh. 1994. [5].Raunkiaer, C. The life forms of plants and statistical geography, Claredon, Oxford. 1934. [6].Takthajan. Flowering plants. Origin and dispersal. Edinburgh. Tr. Jeffrey.1969 AUTHOR S BRIEF BIOGRAPHY: Dr. S. I. Bhuyan did his M.Sc. (Botany) from Gauhati University and Ph.D. (Forestry) from North Eastern Regional Institute of Science & Technology (NERIST), Nirjuli, Arunachal Pradesh-791109. He is presently working as Assistant Professor in the Department of Botany, University of Science & Technolgy, Meghalaya. His papers more than 20 were published in various esteemed reputable International Journals. He is a Member of Various Professional Bodies. Dr. B.N. Baruah did his M.Sc. and Ph.D (Botany) from Gauhati University. Former HoD, Department of Botany, Kokrajhar Govt. College. He is presently working as Associate Professor in the Department of Botany, University of Science & Technolgy, Meghalaya. His papers more than 40 were published in various esteemed reputable International Journals. He is a Member of Various Professional Bodies. IJMSET promotes research nature, Research nature enriches the world s future 63