HATTAPPA, S.MOHAMMAD NAZIM, SAKANDARI2017-07-112017-07-112014-08-05Th-10924http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810024909Biological diversity means the variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are a part; this includes diversity within species, between species and ecosystems. Agroforestry is considered to be promising alternative to conventional agriculture that can both conserve bio-diversity and support local livelihoods and sequester atmospheric carbon. Multiple cropping systems may be particularly important for conservation of biodiversity, especially species of conservation concern. Here, I examined whether multiple cropping system supports higher diversity of species compared to mono-cropping. Our results clearly indicate that multiple cropping systems support higher biodiversity including a majority of native and naturalized species. Such cropping systems could be effectively used as alternative measure in conserving the native species. In turn, this higher diversity also supports the farming community for their additional livelihood supplement. Girth class distribution clearly indicates, that biodiversity is not perpetuating in the region. That means, further recruitment is not taking place due to the over exploitation of saplings for poles and other ingredients for agricultural implements in the region. Most of the trees were in lower height class distribution category indicating that there is an intense pressure on natural vegetation in the agriculture landscapes.ennullThesis