Structure and composition of a protected dry savanna in the northern Brahmaputra floodplains of Assam, Northeast India

Abstract

Abstract We studied the plant species diversity, structure and composition of the dry savanna in Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park, Assam, India. The plant species diversity of the area was found to be HÊ= 2.83. Edge area had a higher density of grass and herbaceous species followed by core and the river side areas. Four major type of associations could be seen among the grass species viz. i) Apluda mutica-Neyraudia reynaudiana-Cissus quadrangularis, ii) Axonopus compressus-Cynodon dactylon-Dichanthium sp., iii) Arundo donax- Saccharum spontaneum- Imperata cylindrica, and iv) Cymbopogon flexuosus-Eulalia fastigiata. The present study will contribute towards the better understanding of the important ecosystem and help in the management of biodiversity in the area.