Comparative Phytosociological Analysis of Tree and Herbs Diversity in Forestry, Agroforestry, and Wetland Ecosystems of Ghaziabad District, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

Biodiversity is a key indicator of ecosystem stability, productivity, and resilience. The present study evaluates and compares the phytosociological characteristics of tree and herb species across three distinct land-use systems—Forestry, Agroforestry, and Wetland—located in Ghaziabad District, Uttar Pradesh, India. Using quantitative ecological parameters such as density, frequency, abundance, basal area, relative density, relative frequency, relative dominance, and Importance Value Index (IVI), the study examines community composition, structure, and species dominance. A total of 18 tree species were recorded in Forestry, 10 tree species in Agroforestry, and 20 tree species in Wetland sites, along with corresponding herbaceous species. Terminalia arjuna (IVI = 51.36) and Pongamia pinnata (IVI = 31.21) were the most dominant tree species in Forestry, while Tectona grandis (IVI = 45.29) and Albizia lebbeck (IVI = 40.53) were dominant in Agroforestry. In Wetlands, Ficus viren (IVI = 30.70) and Terminalia arjuna (IVI = 26.89) showed ecological preponderance. Among herbs, Alternanthera sessilis and Amaranthus viridis exhibited higher IVI values in Agroforestry, while Solanum nigrum and Clerodendrum inerme were dominant in Wetlands. The findings highlight how variations in habitat and management practices influence species composition, diversity, and dominance, underscoring the ecological value of integrated land-use planning for biodiversity conservation in semi-arid regions of northern India.