Phyto-sociological analysis of waterlogged saline lands of Indian trans-gangetic plains

In the present investigation, a phyto-sociological study in managed and abandoned waterlogged saline sites of Trans Indo-Gangetic plains was undertaken. It was pilot location study done in Sonipat district, Haryana which falls under severely affected category of the waterlogged and salinity problem. The study area was grouped into managed and abandoned sites. In managed sites, the dominant tree was Eucalyptus planted in block and boundary arrangement. Prosopis juliflora (Mesquite) was dominant tree in abandoned sites without any definite planting pattern and accompanied by low values of shrubs and herbages. Digitaria sanguinalis (crab grass) showed highest relative density (53.0) and relative value index (153.0) with lowest value of both the indices (0.56 and 50.6) in Saccharum ravennae (elephant grass) in managed sites. Cyanodon dactylon showed dominance with highest relative density (63.0) and relative value index (163.0) with lowest (14.0 and 114.0) in Tamarix dioica (red tamarix) in abandoned sites. Shannon Weiner (0.46) and Simpson (0.58) Indices were higher in managed sites than abandoned ones. Higher degree of richness in flora in managed waterlogged saline sites is equally supported by the higher species value of diversity index (0.02) than abandoned (0.01) sites. The results of the investigation advocate that the managed sites can render better services than the abandoned sites on phyto-sociological aspects in waterlogged saline landscapes. Higher species richness in managed sites can be linked to better outcomes from ecological and economic perspectives.