DIVERSITY AND PHYTOSOCIOLOGICAL ATTRIBUTES OF TREES OF BARATANG ISLAND, ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS, INDIA

In the present study we have analysed the tree species diversity and other phytosociological attributes of trees of Baratang Island located in Middle Andamans. A total of 234 tree species representing 164 genera and 59 families were recorded in the sampled units. A total of 8657 tree individuals were enumerated The range of tree density among the grids is 162-403 trees per 0.5ha. The most dominant species are Pterocarpus dalbergioides, Rhizophora apiculata, Gyrocarpus americanus, Tetrameles nudiflora, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Lagerstroemia hypoleuca, Terminalia bialata, Bambusa schizostachyoides, Rhizophora mucronata and Parishia insignis. The mean+SD basal area in the sampled grids was 21.59 +/- 13.70 m2 ha-1 and ranged as low as 3.58 m2ha-1 to high as 65.03 m2ha-1. The overall population structure of tree species shows a reverse J-shaped population. The study gives an understanding of the diversity and pattern of tree population which will be of immense use in future forest conservation and management.