Richness, diversity and evenness of vegetation upon rehabilitation of gypsum mine spoiled lands in the Indian arid zone

Richness, diversity and evenness of vegetation, after rehabilitation of gyp sum mine spoils at Barmer were investigated in plots protected and planted one year and four years ago. There were four water harvesting treatments, v iz., half-moon terraces, micro-catchments with 5% slope, ridge and furrow a nd control, wherein, indigenous and exotic trees and shrubs were planted at 5 x 5 m spacing. Sampling of the planted and natural vegetation, using qua drats and transacts, revealed much less species richness in unplanted contr ol as compared to all treatments and in all the years. The species richness that increased initially (within one year) gradually declined over time (d uring four year), though the extent varied in different treatments. The wat er harvesting treatment showing maximum initial increase in richness also s howed maximum decline over time, though decline was more in annual species. Two perennial species increased in richness with time. This was further pr oved from the trends in diversity and evenness indices. It was concluded th at natural successional process was. accelerated by rehabilitation providin g stability to the habitat.