Potential of Agroforestry, Inventorization, Distribution Pattern and Phytosociological Analysis of Tree Species in Block Ramgarh, Samba (J&K), India

Abstract

Trees play an important role in ecosystem in all terrestrials and provide a range of products and
services to rural and urban people. As natural vegetation is cut for agriculture and other types of
development, the benefits that trees provide are best sustained by integrating trees into
agricultural system — a practice known as agroforestry. Farmers have practiced agroforestry
since ancient times. Agroforestry focuses on the wide range of trees grown on farms and other
rural areas. In the present study, we analyzed distribution pattern, diversity and phytosociology
of tree species in Block Ramgarh, Samba, Jammu and Kashmir. Data were collected through
sample plot surveys. A total of thirty sample plots of one hectare size (100x100m) each were
selected in agriculture fields. A total of 17 tree species were encountered in agricultural fields
with Zizyphus maurtiana, Mangifera indica, Melia azadirachta, Dalbergia sissoo etc. the
dominant tree species. Mangifera indica was the most dense tree species with density value of
1.9 tree/ha followed by Melia azadirachta having density of 1.1 tree/ha. Bauhinia purpurea was
the least dense species (0.03 tree/ha). The highest basal area in case of tree species was obtained
for Zizyphus maurtiana (5.13m2
/ha) followed by Ficus religiosa (2.94m2
/ha). The value of
Shannon Weiner index was found to be 2.41 for trees in agriculture fields. The results of the
study revealed that, the trees in agriculture fields are very sparse which can be exploited as
potential sites for tree plantations.