Tree diversity and biomass of tropical forests under two management regimes in Garo hills of north-eastern India (original) (raw)
Related papers
2008
The present study deals with the assessment of quantitative structure and floristic composition of tropical forests of Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Western Ghats, India. Forest structure was analyzed across girth classes and height intervals. Altogether 156 tree species were analyzed. Vegetation type-wise Importance Value Index, Shannon-Weiner index, Simpson index, Margalef's index and Pielou Index were calculated. The tree stand density varies from 112-406.8 ha^(-1) with the average basal area of 26.25m^2/ha^(-1). Shannon-Weiner Index (H') ranges from 3.94-4.90. The Simpson Index of dominance varies from 0.86-0.94. The Margalef Species Richness Index varies from 4.61-8.31. The population density of tree species across girth class intervals shows that 65.4% and 36.4% of individuals belong to 30-60cm gbh. Tree distribution by height class intervals shows that around 28.7% of individuals are in the height class of 20-25m, followed by 24.4% in the height of 15-20m, whereas 3.3...
Notulae Scientia Biologicae, 2016
The study of biomass, structure and composition of tropical forests implies also the investigation of forest productivity, protection of biodiversity and removal of CO 2 from the atmosphere via C-stocks. The hereby study aimed at understanding the forest structure, composition and above ground biomass (AGB) of tropical dry deciduous forests of Eastern Ghats, India, where as a total of 128 sample plots (20 x 20 meters) were laid. The study showed the presence of 71 tree species belonging to 57 genera and 30 families. Dominant tree species was Shorea robusta with an importance value index (IVI) of 40.72, while Combretaceae had the highest family importance value (FIV) of 39.01. Mean stand density was 479 trees ha-1 and a basal area of 15.20 m 2 ha-1. Shannon's diversity index was 2.01 ± 0.22 and Simpson's index was 0.85 ± 0.03. About 54% individuals were in the size between 10 and 20 cm DBH, indicating growing forests. Mean above ground biomass value was 98.87 ± 68.8 Mg ha-1. Some of the dominant species that contributed to above ground biomass were Shorea robusta (17.2%), Madhuca indica (7.9%), Mangifera indica (6.9%), Terminalia alata (6.9%) and Diospyros melanoxylon (4.4%), warranting extra efforts for their conservation. The results suggested that C-stocks of tropical dry forests can be enhanced by in-situ conserving the high C-density species and also by selecting these species for afforestation and stand improvement programs. Correlations were computed to understand the relationship between above ground biomass, diversity indices, density and basal area, which may be helpful for implementation of REDD+ (reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, and foster conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks) scheme.
Ecoscience, 2019
, we studied the tree species diversity, biomass and biomass carbon stock of two different forests in Western Odisha: a wildlife sanctuary and a sacred forest. The wildlife sanctuary is entirely managed by the Forest Department, whereas the sacred forest is jointly managed by the local community and the Forest Department. Our results showed that the sacred forest had a greater species richness, density and diversity compared to the wildlife sanctuary. The density in different diameter classes showed that the sacred forest is regenerating with a good regeneration potential, but the wildlife sanctuary had a poor regeneration potential with lower numbers of saplings than adults. However, the biomass and carbon content of the wildlife sanctuary were higher than in the sacred forest. This may be due to the presence of a higher proportion of old trees in the wildlife sanctuary compared to the sacred forest. Biomass values can be used to emphasize the role of management in maintaining the carbon stock in forest ecosystems. Our results can be helpful in framing conservation strategies and action plans for forest patches in India and globally. RÉSUMÉ De septembre 2015 à janvier 2016, nous avons étudié la diversité spécifique des arbres, la biomasse et le stock de carbone dans la biomasse dans deux forêts de l'ouest de l'Odisha: une réserve faunique et une forêt sacrée. La réserve faunique était entièrement aménagée par le Ministère des Forêts, alors que la forêt sacrée était aménagée conjointement par la communauté locale et le Ministère des Forêts. Nos résultats montrent que la richesse spécifique, la densité et la diversité étaient plus élevées dans la forêt sacrée que dans la réserve naturelle. La densité dans différentes classes de diamètre montre que la forêt sacrée a un bon potentiel de régénération, mais que la réserve naturelle a un faible potentiel de régénération (moins de gaules que d'adultes). Toutefois, la biomasse et le contenu en carbone étaient plus élevés dans la réserve faunique que dans la forêt sacrée. Cela pourrait être attribuable à la présence d'une proportion plus élevée de vieux arbres dans la réserve faunique que dans la forêt sacrée. Les valeurs de biomasse peuvent être utilisées pour mettre en évidence le rôle de l'aménagement dans le maintien du stock de carbone des écosystèmes forestiers. Nos résultats peuvent être utiles pour élaborer des stratégies de conservation et des plans d'action pour les parcelles forestières en Inde et ailleurs dans le monde.
Journal of Applied and Natural Science, 2015
Tree species diversity, distribution and population structure of tropical forests of Bharnawapara wildlife sanctuary was investigated. The study analyzed the structure of a tropical dry deciduous forest in Chhatisgarh at different sites i.e. closed natural forest, open natural forest and plantation forests of teak. The study was conducted by laying 30 quadrats, each 10 m × 10 m in size at different sites. In total, 246 trees belonging to 28 species of 17 families were recorded from 0.3 ha sampling area. Density ranged between 520 to 990 trees ha-1 subsequently, basal area ranged between 21.50 to 47.30 m2 ha-1. The dominant tree species was Cleistanthus collinus with an importance value index (IVI) of 57.70. Other important species were Terminalia tometosa (IVI 47.10), Lagerstroemia parviflora (36.92), Diospyros melanoxylon (28.42) and Madhuca indica(26.03). The Shannon-Wiener index (H′) ranged between 0.19 to 3.35 and Simpson’s index (C) between 0.12 to 0.95 indicating high tree spe...
Assessment of tree diversity in tropical deciduous forests of Northcentral Eastern Ghats, India
Geology, Ecology, and Landscapes
The rapid inventory study provides information on the tree species diversity and stand structure in tropical deciduous forests of Northcentral Eastern Ghats, India. Tree diversity and its relation to habitat was explored using tree data-set of 12 belt transects (5 × 1000 m) totaling 6 ha in the study area. A total of 135 plant taxa (≥15 cm gbh) belonging to 105 genera of 45 families with 2959 individuals were recorded. Anogeissus latifolia, Xylia xylocarpa, Cleistanthus collinus and Lannea coromandelica were the predominant plant taxa where the members of Euphorbiaceae, Rubiaceae, Anacardiaceae and Mimosaceae contributed maximum stand density and species richness. The stand density ranged from 395 to 573 individuals ha −1 while basal area varied from 13.05 to 28.42 m 2 ha −1. Shannon-Weiner index (H′) ranged from 3.59 to 4.05 while Simpson index from 0.97 to 0.98, evenness index from 0.66 to 0.78 and species richness Margalef index ranged from 7.29 to 12.99. The study provides a baseline data for the management of protected areas in developing countries like India and it shows the potential of in situ method in the conservation natural areas.
Biodiversity assessment of trees in five inland tropical dry evergreen forests of peninsular India
Systematics and Biodiversity, 2005
A biodiversity inventory of trees was carried out in five hitherto understudied inland tropical dry evergreen forests of peninsular India, by establishing a 1-ha permanent plot in each (Araiyapatti-AP, Karisakkadu-KK, Maramadakki-MM, Shanmuganathapuram-SP and Rayapatti-RP). These sites are also sacred groves and forest fragments experiencing various levels of human disturbance and can be classified as relatively undisturbed (AP), moderately disturbed (KR, SP and RP) or highly disturbed (MM). Site disturbances were categorized based on forest encroachment, temple visitors' impact, resource extraction and the degree of cattle and goat browsing. All trees ≥ 10 cm girth at breast height in the five plots were enumerated, their girth measured and tagged. A total of 60 tree species belonging to 49 genera and 26 families were recorded. Tree species richness was as low as 19 species per hectare in the moderately disturbed site RP to as high as 35 species in the relatively undisturbed site AP. Tree density ranged from 596 stems per hectare in site KR to 1663 trees in site SP and that of basal area from 12.4 m 2 (in RP) to 22.1 m 2 per hectare (in SP). Three species Memecylon umbellatum, Chloroxylon swietenia and Pterospermum canescens scored high importance value index. The Rubiaceae, Mimosaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Rutaceae and Sapindaceae constituted the most-speciose families. Among the five sites, SP exemplified a mono-specific dominant tropical forest, with Memecylon umbellatum occupying 69% of the total forest stand density. In all five sites tree species richness and density decreased with increasing girth class. The stand structure of forest sites displayed a reverse J-shaped curve with the exception of site KR. Spatial patterns of trees in the five sites revealed that the individuals of most species are clumped at the 1-ha scale. The non-metric multidimensional scaling ordination, based on species richness, diversity indices, stand density, basal area, species population density and disturbance scores, organized the sites into three clusters, chiefly influenced by three variables − species richness, density of predominant species and site disturbance score. In the light of the extant biodiversity, forest fragmentation coupled with human disturbance, and also the cultural tradition associated with the local people, the need for conservation of the sites is emphasized.
Indian Journal of Ecology, 2021
Phyto-sociological analysis of vegetation in Kuldiha revealed presence of Wildlife Sanctuary 43 numbers of tree species (37 genera and 23 families), 12 numbers of shrub species (12 genera and 11 families) and 17 numbers of climbers (14 genera and 10 families). Shorea robusta, Syzygium cumini, Terminalia tomentosa, Schleichera oleosa Madhuca indica and were the predominant tree species having important value index 48.70, 19.13, 17.50, 15.84 and 14.46 respectively. The forest stand density was 488 trees ha with basal area m-1 2 36.17 ha. The Shannon-Weiner index of diversity for trees, shrubs and climbers was Simpson Index of-1 4.81, 1.41 and 1.15, respectively. The dominance, Margalef index for species richness and Pielou index for species evenness were also calculated. Many species were found rare and clumped pattern of dispersion was predominant among trees. The population structure of tree species showed reverse J-shaped pattern. Sapling and seedling density was 350 numbers ha and 50750 numbers ha respectively. Overall regeneration status of the forests was-1-1 fair.The study will be helpful in understanding changes in the plant community and there by developing location specific strategies for conservation of valuable rare plants of the sanctuary as well as sustainable utilization of biodiversity in future.
Notulae Scientia …, 2010
Plant diversity assessment was carried out on the basis of species richness, tree crown cover and dominance-diversity pattern in different forests of Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS), Central Himalaya, India during 2006-2009. The maximum tree species richness (10 spp.) was observed in Rhododendron arboreum Sm. dominated mixed forest and minimum in Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus. forest (8 spp.). Maximum tree density (170 trees/ha) and high importance value index (89.68) was found in Q. semecarpifolia Sm. forest. Mixed Rhododendron arboreum Sm. forest showed high tree diversity (H=0.96), while shrub were found highest in Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus forest (H=0.62) and herb diversity in Q. semecarpifolia Sm.forest (H=0.73) respectively Maximum tree crown cover (82%) was observed in Rhododendron arboreum Sm. dominated mixed forest while minimum tree crown cover (58%) was observed in Q. semecarpifolia Sm. forest. In general random distribution pattern (A/F ratio) was observed in all three types of forest. Alterations of land use pattern and population pressure are found to be main cause of increase in resources exploitation and that ultimately decreases species richness and diversity. Agro-forestry, alternate use of sites for resources and providing a recovery period to the forests are some of the strategies suggested for forest conservation, management and sustainable utilization of resources by the local people.
Tropical Ecology, 2008
We compared regeneration, tree diversity and floristic diversity of natural and planted tropical deciduous forests (dominated by Shorea robusta and Tectona grandis; Acacia catechu and Syzygium cumini, respectively) in western Uttar Pradesh, India. Species diversity (70 species in natural and 59 species in planted forests) as well as species evenness was higher in natural forests than in planted forests. Natural forest sites also had higher mature tree, pole, sapling and seedling densities compared with planted forests. In spite of differences in diversity, natural and planted forests did not differ strongly in species composition, fifty-six species occurred in both sites. This may reflect similar soil types but differences in soil moisture, organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and soil pH in natural and planted forests. Dominant families in both forest types are Fabaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Verbenaceae, Rubiaceae and Caesalpiniaceae (5 species each), followed by Moraceae, Mimosaceae and Combretaceae. Of the 126 species found in both sites, 32.5% showed good regeneration, 19.8% fair, 24.6% poor and 11.1% lacked regeneration. The remaining 11.9% of species were present as seedlings but not as adult individuals. Good quality timber species are not regenerating, with the exception of Shorea robusta, although mortality at seedling stage of this species is high. In all, our results suggest that species richness and diversity differed between natural forest and planted forest and regeneration of some important tree species also varied in natural and planted forests because of variation in their microclimate and edaphic characteristics. Moreover, these conditions indicate succession pattern and a potential for forestry plantations in dry forests. This study will help in the formulation of effective forest management and conservation strategies.
European Journal of Ecology, 2015
Tree species inventories, particularly of poorly known dry deciduous forests, are needed to protect and restore forests in degraded landscapes. A study of forest stand structure, and species diversity and density of trees with girth at breast height (GBH) ≥10 cm was conducted in four management zones of Bannerghatta National Park (BNP) in the Eastern Ghats of Southern India. We identified 128 tree species belonging to 45 families in 7.9 hectares. However, 44 species were represented by ≤ 2 individuals. Mean diversity values per site for the dry forest of BNP were: tree composition (23.8 ±7.6), plant density (100.69 ± 40.02), species diversity (2.56 ± 0.44) and species richness (10.48 ± 4.05). Tree diversity was not significantly different (P>0.05) across the four management zones in the park. However, the number of tree species identified significantly (P<0.05) increased with increasing number of sampling sites, but majority of the species were captured. Similarly, there were ...