Tree diversity and biomass of tropical forests under two management regimes in Garo hills of north-eastern India (original) (raw)

Tree diversity and biomass (above-and below-ground) were studied under two forest management regimes viz. Wildlife sanctuary (WLS) and Reserved forest (RF). The study was conducted in the undisturbed tropical primary forest (PF) at Siju, a WLS, and five RFs viz. Dambu and Darugiri (MSF1: Sal plantation forest) and Songsak, Rongrengiri and Baghmara (MSF2: Mixed sal-natural forest) of Garo hills, which remained undisturbed during the past 50 -60 years. Tree species richness was highest in the WLS (67 species) followed by RFs (MSF2: 49 -61 and MSF1: 33 -35). Tree density was greater in WLS (846 trees ha -1) than RFs (570 -690). Tree biomass (above-and below-ground) in WLS (382 Mg ha -1) was also greater than the RFs (250 -332 Mg ha -1). Variations in species composition, density, diameter distribution pattern, biomass and C stock in the WLS and RFs were attributed to two different forest management practices adopted. Resumen: La diversidad y la biomasa (aérea y subterránea) arbóreas fu...