Abstract

Anthropogenic factor, diversity, richness, vegetation plots, Sariska.

Effect of anthropogenic factors against species richness and diversity of the woody vegetation was analyzed in the Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, North-West India from February to May 2009. Sixteen transects, ranging from 1.8 to 2 km in length were laid throughout the 80 km² study area covering all the available habitat types. 10 m radius circular plots were laid to enumerate tree layer and degree of various anthropogenic factors making a total of 318 plots throughout the study period. These factors were quantified in each plot at a scale of 0 to 4 (0-none and 4-very high). Along with ocular observations, software EstimateSWin750 was used to calculate richness and diversity of trees along each transect. The ocular results showed highest number of trees in Malajodka (369) and the least number of trees in Kiraska (93). Observed tree diversity was found to be maximum for the transect of Pandupol – Kiraska (18±3.05). Whereas, least diversity was found to be in the transect of Sadar I (6±2.23), having lesser degree of disturbance than former. Richness estimates showed highest value of richness (32.95±16.44) in transect of Malajodka which is in hilly tracts and least value for richness (6±0.43) in the transect of Sadar I.