A report of Siwalik forest around Letang Raja-Rani wetland, Morang, eastern Nepal

Species composition, phytosociological status and soil characteristics of Siwalik forest occurring around Raja-Rani wetland, Letang municipality, eastern Nepal was studied. A total of 47 tree species belonging to 40 genera and 26 families were reported. Dominant and co-dominant trees were Shorea robusta (IVI=133.4) and Schima wallichii (IVI=70.6), respectively. In the forest total tree density, basal cover area, seedling density, fallen dead density and dead standing density were 378.4 trees ha-1, 163.7 m2 ha-1, 105250 individual ha-1, 4 trees ha-1 and 1.6 trees ha-1, respectively. Irregular girth class distribution and high stump density (136.8 tree ha-1) denote disturbance. Soil physicochemical characteristics were: acidic soil (pH 4.8), moisture (12.5%), water holding capacity (50.05%), bulk density (1.17 g cm-3), porosity (0.55%), humus (8.6%), organic carbon (0.52%), nitrogen (0.1%), phosphorus (33 kg ha-1), and potassium (300 kg ha-1). Regulating human encroachment to ensure natural regeneration of species to maintain the viability of the Letang Raja-Rani wetland site and integrity of the local ecosystem is strongly recommended.

Tree Diversity, Biomass and Carbon Stock in Quartz Mined Area of Bilikal Hillock, hunasaekatte, Bhadravathi, Karnataka, South India

To learn about the abandoned mined area tree diversity, aboveground biomass and carbon stock a study was conducted in quartz mined Bilikal hillock area which is geographically adjacent to Umbalebylu 8 km to Bhadra wildlife sanctuary and 10 km of Kuvempu University. In the present study 0.14ha (350 m×4m) transect, we recorded 1527 individuals comprising 22 families among them Papilionaceae with 6 genera and 7 species, Combretaceae with 2 genera and 4 species followed by Rubiaceae with 3 genera and 3 species and Apocynaceae with 2 genera and 3 species. Based on girth class assessment nearly 1564 individuals comprising 1-10 cm had 559 individuals, the basal area was more within the girth class of 40-50 cm. But aboveground biomass and carbon stock were highest within the girth class of 20-30 cm. varying with species structure and girth class were a disturbed forest patch, the species composition needs management and restoration to retain the biodiversity intact to provide a niche for other co-species.

Carbon Sequestration Potential of Trees Planted Along Roadsides: A Case From Bhopal City, India

In the present article, we have discussed one such example from Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal campus where the amount of carbon stored, and carbon dioxide sequestered by the trees along roadside has been estimated. Importance Value Index was calculated separately for each species. Biomass and carbon stock of woody vegetation was assessed using a non-destructive method. Leucaena leucocephala, Schleichera oleosa, Dalbergia paniculata, Acacia catechu and Ficus religiosa recorded high biomass carbon content. The average stem density was 295 stems ha-1. Species-wise calculated average CO2 equivalent in the sample observed increasing trend with the increase in girth class from 20cm to 60cm but showing reduced trend in trees with girth class above 60 cm. The probable reason for reducing trend could be the variation in wood density of species towards the lower value of high girth size species such as Bombax ceiba, Samanea saman, Holoptelea integrifolia, Dalbergia paniculata, Lagerstroemia parviflora and Ficus religiosa. The analysis can be useful for selection of tree species with high wood density for planting in urban areas of central India to adequately mitigate pollution, especially the vehicular pollution. The incorporation of the same in the management plan of the urban green spaces would benefit the optimum utilization of carbon sequestration potential. Moreover, the suitable bamboo species, which is characterized as species of the understory of tropical dry deciduous forests, may be considered for the planting as gap filing and sequestration of carbon in urban areas.

Role of Climatic Factors in Emergence of Sal Heartwood Borer, Hoplocerambyx spinicornis Newman, in Dindori Forest Division, Madhya Pradesh and its Management

The present paper reports the emergence of sal heartwood borer, Hoplocerambyx spinicornis Newman (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) and its infestation in Dindori Forest Division, Dindori, Madhya Pradesh, during the year 2012-2014.Out of the six sal forest ranges, viz. Bajag, East Karanjia, West Karanjia, Garasarai, North Samnapur and South Samnapur, sal borer incidence was recorded in five ranges, and there was no borer attacked trees noticed in sal forests of Garasarai range during the study period.The emergence of borer beetles started during the year 2012. The data on borer infestations revealed that a total of 699 sal trees were affected during the year 2012 in three ranges, viz. Bajag, East Karanjia, and South Samnapur, 6139 during 2013 in four ranges, viz. Bajag, East Karanjia, West Karanjia, and South Samnapur, 29382 during 2014 in five ranges, viz.Bajag, East Karanjia, West Karanjia, North Samnapur and South Samnapur. The average sal borer incidence was 0.02 tree/ha, 0.11 tree/ha, 0.45 tree/ha during the year 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively. The maximum number of borer affected sal trees was recorded to be in Type T7 and girth class 121-150 cm GBH. The number of borer affected sal trees and sal borer incidence recorded during the study period was correlated with meteorological data, such as temperature, relative humidity and rainfall. The data on borer incidence when correlated with minimum, maximum, and mean temperatures, relative humidity and rainfall showed significant (P<0.05) negative correlation with relative humidity (r = -0.927), other parameters exhibited no conclusive (P>0.05) difference. Trap-tree operation was conducted during the emergence period (June-July) of sal borer beetles, in different affected compartments of Forest Ranges, for its collection. A total number of borer beetles trapped were 1285 during the year 2013, collected from three ranges, whereas during the year 2014 and 2015 beetletrapped was 4440 and 79186 collected from four and five ranges of the Division respectively. The collection of borer beetles reduced its incidence which reflects the efficiency of Trap-tree operation in management of sal borer. The results are discussed in the light of the present findings.

Sinoxylon anale Lesne (Coleoptera : Bostrychidae) : A New Record of Potential Wood Borer in Xylia xylocarpa (Roxb.) Taub.

Sinoxylon anale Lesne is recorded for the first time as a major wood borer in poles/logs of Xylia xylocarpa at timber depot, Gadegaon, Bhandara, Maharashtra. The emergence of this wood borer generally occurs during the month of June-July and continues till the poles/logs are available in depot. This is an annual phenomenon that occurs every year with varying intensity in respect of girth class of poles/logs. Lowest girth class poles/logs of 16-25 cm GBH exhibited highest damage of borer (47.00%), followed by 26-35 cm GBH (22.67%) and 36-45 cm GBH poles (8.67%).

Effect of anthropogenic disturbances on biomass and carbon storage potential of a dry tropical forest in India

The forests of Chhattisgarh are very well known for its species richness, diversity, biomass, carbon stock and productivity. The present study was carried out at Katghora forest division under Bilaspur circle of Korba district, Chhattisgarh considering three sites viz., least, moderately and highly disturbed site to estimate biomass and carbon storage in relation to anthropogenic disturbances. For collection of data quadrats were selected under stratified random sampling design. For enumeration of tree and saplings ten quadrats of 10 m × 10 m were laid and each species counted separately. The tree density varies from 100-510 stems ha-1 across study sites. Total biomass in the present study was between 127.69 t ha-1 and 227.71 t ha-1. Total above ground biomass was between 111.20 t ha-1 and 199.42 t ha-1, whereas total below ground biomass varied from 16.49-28.29 t ha-1, respectively. The total carbon storage across the sites were ranged from 55.125 to 98.548 t C ha-1 found higher under least disturbed site and lowest under medium disturbed site. Carbon storage pattern according to girth class followed the similar trend of distribution as was in the case of biomass. It has least proportion in small girth class and maximum storage under the higher girth class. It is evident from the study that disturbances have significant impact on density, vegetation diversity, biomass accumulation and carbon storage pattern. Conservation affords are required to control on disturbances and for the natural recovery of forest ecosystem.

Trends in Tree Diversity and Stand Structure during Restoration: A Case Study in Fragmented Moist Deciduous Forest Ecosystems of Northeast India

Ecological implications for the conservation of fragmented forests to managed local plant diversity have recently drawn much attention of most conservationists. Present study investigates the importance of fragmented forests using different quantitative measures of species diversity and stand structure as indicators of natural restoration from past disturbances. Eleven independent 500 m × 10 m belt transects (5.5 ha) were established within fragmented low land moist deciduous forests of Tripura. All woody plants ≥10 cm girth at breast height (GBH) were measured. A total of 7,134 individuals with mean density of 648.55 stems ha−1 and 16.36 m2 ha−1 of basal area were recorded, which represented 134 species, 93 genera, and 43 families of woody plants. Diversity-dominance curve showed that maximum number of species were ranked >10 due to low abundance value. Maximum distributions of stems (>50%) were recorded at lowest girth class (10–30 cm) as an indication of advanced regeneration and significantly declined towards upper girth (radj2=0.93; P<0.0001) and height (radj2=0.95; P<0.0001) classes, which also indicated that some plants were adopted with ongoing disturbances through both seeded and nonseeded regeneration. Species richness (radj2=0.49; P=0.05), dominance (radj2=0.68; P=0.009), and density (radj2=0.62; P=0.02) were significantly increased at different disturbance intensities. Disturbances strongly influenced typical community association and structure by increasing diversity and population at certain magnitude and thereby showed declining trend towards maturation. Fragmented moist deciduous forests seek immediate attention as they represent spatial habitat for many economical or ecological important species, thus sustaining local biodiversity for livelihoods.

Growth pattern of Prinsepia. utilis (Bhenkal) at different girth classes growing naturally at inner Himalayan region

Present study was undertaken to evaluate the growth pattern of Prinsepia.utilis growing at Western Himalayan region at four study sites i.e. S1 (Jhala), S2 (Dharali), S3 (Jaspur) and S4 (Sukki) at Uttarkashi district at Garhwal Himalaya in the year 2008-09 The data recorded for different parameters related to growth of Prinsepia.utilis at different sites showed variation. Growth parameters viz. lengths of plants, branch number, length of seed, seed output etc. were examined during the present study. Maximum shoot length at 25.1-30 cm girth class (220.5±23.13 cm), maximum leaf area at girth class 5.1 – 10 cm (1.98) and the maximum fruit productivity at girth class 25.1 – 30 cm (1800.63g) were observed where as minimum production was recorded at girth class 10.1 – 15 cm (756.9g).

Vegetation structure and ecological characteristics of forest of North Andaman Islands (India)

Vegetation structure and ecological characteristics of forest of North Andaman Islands (India)In this study, 3-ha research plots were established, one each in evergreen, semi-evergreen, and moist deciduous forests of North Andaman Islands. These 3 vegetation types were selected to study the structural aspects of plant diversity in forest communities. Our results showed high species richness and basal area in evergreen forest, high diversity in semi-evergreen forest, and high tree density (trees ha-1) in moist deciduous forest. At family level, the Anacardiaceae and Sterculiaceae dominated all the forest types, and were distributed throughout the North Andaman Islands. In the 3 forest communities, most species exhibited clumped spatial distribution, while random distribution ranked second. Tree girth class distribution revealed a decreasing number of trees with increasing girth class, indicating natural regeneration of these forest types. The species-area curve clearly reached a plateau at 3-ha area in respect of species number, supporting the adequacy of the large plot size selected in the present investigation. The study recorded a total of 136 tree species in the 3 forest communities and was higher than in many other tropical forest sites. The vegetation analysis of 3-ha plot in 3 different forest types substantially contributed data on North Andaman site potentiality, with reference to its species richness and diversity.