FLORAL DIVERSITY OF THAR DESERT OF WESTERN RAJASTHAN, INDIA

Thar desert is one of the ecosystem possessing highest biodiversity among the desert ecosystems of the world. The floristic survey of Thar desert was carried out during 2013-2015. A total of 62 families, 157 genera and 206species were documented from the area. Three most dominant families of plants in the study area were Fabaceae (29species), followed by Poaceae (26 species) and Asteraceae (15 species. The habit wise analysis of the results depicted that herbaceous vegetation (60.10%) were highest prevailing vegetation in Thar dessert followed by shrubs (16.26%), trees (14.29%) and climber (9.36%). The results of the study will be helpful for conservation and sustainable utilization and management of the plant resources of the Thar desert of the western Rajasthan.