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Evaluation of Floristic Composition of Hadagarh Wildlife Sanctuary,

Keonjhar, Odisha

Annapurna Dhal

Department of Zoology, B.B. College, Baiganbadia, Mayurbhanj, Odisha
Email of corresponding author: drapd2001@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
The present survey was undertaken to survey the floristic composition of tree, shrub and herbaceous
species at diverse study sites of Hadagarh Wildlife Sanctuary. Hadagarh Wildlife Sanctuary is very

wealthy in biodiversity. Eight sites were recognized starting from near human habitationextend up to
the interior, which were equallyspread in all the directions of the Hadagarh Wildlife Sanctuary. In the

study sites sampling was done by quadrat method. Twenty quadrats of 20m × 20m, 5m × 5m and 1m
× 1m were laid down at each site keeping a distance of approximately 200 m in between quadrats for
data collection. Species were collected and documented in terms of local names in the fields by verbal

communication with local people as well as forest authorities and their taxonomic positions were
ascertained consulting flora of Odisha (Saxena and Brahmam, 1994-1996) and the Botany of Bihar
and Odisha (Haines, 1921-1925) and the herbarium present in P.G. Department of Botany, Utkal

University.
A total of 118 species, representing 109 genera and 44 families, were recorded within 6.4
ha area of the sanctuary (arranged according to the Bentham and Hooker’s, 1862 classification).

Among the three different growth forms, viz. perennial herbs, shrubs and trees, the species richness
was maximum for trees (48) followed by shrubs (43) and perennial herbs (25). Based on

demonstration of number of genus found in the family, the largest one is Euphorbiaceae followed by
verbenaceae, fabaceae and poaceae containing 12, 10, 8 and 8 species respectively
KEY WORDS: Floristic Composition, Sanctuary, Biodiversity, Anthropogenic,

Habitation

INTRODUCTION

The structure and function of forest ecosystem are determined by the plant factor more than
any other living component of the system (Mohanty, Mishra, Bal, & Upadhyay, 2005). The

most important characteristics of the tropical and subtropical forests are their species
richness, heterogeneity and complex community organisation. The vegetation of Hadagarh

Wildlife Sanctuary (HWS) of Odisha is a dry deciduous type. The frequent anthropogenic

disturbances have rendered the system inhospitable for the regeneration and growth of wild
plant associates, causing a net loss in plant diversity(Tiwari, Alfred, & Patnaik, 1998).

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