Floristics and Dry matter dynamics of Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests of Western Ghats, India (original) (raw)
Floristic composition, structure, diversity, biomass, litterfall and net primary productivity (NPP) of tropical evergreen forests on four contiguous hill ranges of Western Ghats, India were studied. The forest on the study site was analysed by randomly laying eight quadrats (20 m × 20 m) within each representative plot of 1 ha. Biomass of the tree and shrub components was estimated using species-specific allometric equations. The litter input was quantified by placing three litter traps (50 cm × 50 cm × 15 cm) in each quadrat. The net biomass accumulation was computed and compared among the sites studied. The stand density ranged from 257 to 644 individuals ha-1 and basal area between 29 and 42 m 2 ha-1. Shannon and Simpson's indices ranged from 1.5 to 3.7 and 0.1 to 0.16 respectively, and with beta diversity of 2.01. Total stand biomass averaged from 440 to 571 Mg ha-1 , of which trees contributed 90.2-92.2% and remaining 8.8-9.8% by shrubs and herbs. The standing litter ranged from 3.5 to 4.2 Mg ha-1 and litter production from 4.0 to 5.7 Mg ha-1 yr-1. The average NPP was 23.7 Mg ha-1 yr-1 , of which 64.7% was contributed by trees, 13.6% by shrubs, 2.7% herbs and 19.1% by litter. Turnover rate and turnover time ranged from 0.93 to 0.95 yr-1 and 1.05 to 1.08 yrs respectively. The study showed that tropical evergreen forests in Brahamagiri and Kadmakal ranges of Western Ghats are ecologically rich both in terms of structure and biomass production compared to other tropical rain forests of the world, however Padnailkannad and Pattighat sites were severely affected by biotic stresses which demand attention for conservation and management of these fragile ecosystems.
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