Abstract

An investigation was carried out to estimate the effect of crusher dust on floristic composition and biological spectrum in grassland of Odisha, India. The vegetation analysis was performed following standard procedures. The floristic survey of the study area, which includes natural as well as crusher unit affected sites, revealed the presence of 24 plant species distributed in 11 families representing a two storied floristic composition in the area. Out of the 24 species, maximum number of species belonged to the life-form class therophytes followed by hemi cryptophytes and chamaephytes and least number of species belonged to class geophytes. Some of the important families like Poaceae, Fabaceae, Cyperaceae and Convovulaceae are noted to be prevalent in the study area. The seasonal variation of relative frequency, relative density and relative dominance of different species fluctuated. The majority was from the species Aristida; the next two in order of dominance were Heteropogon and Setaria. The grass species have more IVI values as compared to non-grass species in the community. The value of Simpson’s dominance index varied from 0.188 to 0.536. It showed increasing trend from rainy to summer having highest value in summer. In contrary, the diversity index showed decreasing trend from rainy to summer.

Key words: Diversity indices, floristic composition, Jajpur district.