Quantitative Structure and Composition of Tropical Forests of Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Western Ghats, India (original) (raw)
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The aim of this investigation was to study three tropical forest types in R.V. Nagar Range, Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh. Three forest types, semievergreen, moist deciduous and savannah were distinct and differed in composition, dominance, diversity and structure. The study resulted in documentation of 274 species for floristic enumeration and phytosociological analysis. Tree stand density varied from 508-719 ha-1 with average basal area of 33.56 m 2 ha-1 covering 120 species. Shannon-Wiener index (H') ranges from 3.71-5.50. Similarity index reveals that only 62.4% of floristic composition of semievergreen forest is similar with moist deciduous forest. Margalef's Species Richness Index varies from 3.04-9.50. Population density of tree species across girth class interval shows that around 73.3% of species and 36.3% of individuals belong to 60-90 cm gbh.
2011
The changes in species composition, abundance and forest stand structure were analyzed across altitudinal regimes in tropical forests of Eastern Ghats of northern Andhra Pradesh, India. Three 1-ha plots were established with one each in low, medium and high altitudes. A total of 153 species, 2129 stems (709 stems •ha-1) of ≥10 cm girth were enumerated. Species richness and diversity pattern varied along altitudinal gradient and increased with the altitude. Species richness varied from 52 to 110 species•ha-1 and stand density from 639 to 836 stems•ha-1 with average basal area of 34.39 m 2 •ha-1. Shannon-Wiener index (H') ranged from 4.55 to 5.17. Low altitude (i.e., Site 1) is dominated by Xylia xylocarpa (59.22) and Lagerstroemia parviflora (23.90), medium altitude (i.e., Site 2) by Xylia xylocarpa (45.50) Bursera serrata (17.29), and high altitude (i.e., Site 3) has Schleichera oleosa (28.25) Pterocarpus marsupium (26.55) as predominant species. Taxonomically, Rubiaceae (12 species), Fabaceae (12), Euphorbiaceae (11), Rutaceae (7) and Lauraceae (7) were dominant families. Density-wise, Fabaceae, Combretaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Anacardiaceae and Myrtaceae were abundant. Thus, conservation assessment based on altitudinal regimes and the information on species structure and function can provide baseline information for monitoring and sustaining the biodiversity.
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...
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 ...
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.
Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) in Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh, encompassing about 400 km 2 area, represents a typical Terai ecosystem characterized by extensive alluvial plains, hygrophilous grasslands and tropical moist deciduous forests. A large proportion of the natural forest in the sanctuary has been converted into commercial plantations. We studied species diversity, structure and concentration of dominance of woody plants at various strata of natural and plantation forests within the sanctuary. The study sites included three categories of natural forests viz., sal mixed, miscellaneous and riverine and three types of plantation forests i.e., sal, sal under planting and teak plantations. All categories of vegetation except riverine forests were deciduous in nature. Tree densities were higher in plantations as compared to natural forests. Basal area of trees ranged from 24.84 m 2 ha -1 (riverine forest) to 45.55 m 2 ha -1 (sal mixed forest). However, there was no significant difference in overall basal area between natural (35.9 m 2 ha -1 ) and plantation forests (32.3 m 2 ha -1 ).
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.
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...
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.
Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity, 2023
Tropical mountain forests in Eastern Ghats provide a unique opportunity to relate environmental drivers to plant community structure along elevation gradient. We aimed to investigate the tree diversity, composition and stand structure along elevation gradient and drivers facilitating species distribution across Mahendragiri Hill Forest (MHF) in Eastern Ghats of Odisha, India. Altogether 120 plots of 0.05 ha were established and stems !10 cm diameter at breast height were measured. We compared species composition and stand structure among elevation zones. Ordination analysis was used to quantify how community structure was related to topographic, climatic and onsite conditions. In total 189 species representing 131 genera and 51 families were recorded ranging from 64 (MHF6) to 106 species (MHF4). Fabaceae representing 23 species, followed by Phyllanthaceae was dominant families. Maximum tree density and basal area were enumerated in high elevation MHF6 and least disturbed MHF5, respectively. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) interpreted 58.59% of variation and depicted the role of elevation followed by disturbance and precipitation in species distribution patterns. Variance partitioning analysis shows that topography and disturbance strongly partitioned the dissemination of tree species. Variations in species diversity reflects a direct coupling or interaction of several factors together, making it a complex phenomenon.