Vegetation Characterization and Litter Production on the Rehabilitated Mined Area of Mussoorie Hills, India

Abstract

The floristic diversity of four different age series in rehabilitated mined area which represents the degraded ecosystem was examined. Phytosociological analysis revealed that the highest number of plant species (38 nos.) including tree, shrubs, herbs and grasses were found in eight years old (Site II) rehabilitated site followed by eleven years old (Site I )and six years old (Site 3) (33 nos.) and least was in four years old Site IV (29 nos.). Maximum total basal area was represented by site I followed by site II, site III and site IV. With reference to annual litter production it was highest in Site I (5286 Kg/ha) followed by Site III (1193.2 Kg/ha), Site II (804.0 kg/ha) and least in Site IV (262.0 Kg/ha).

Keywords

• Phytosociological analysis
• Vegetational composition
• litter production
• mined area.