Vegetos
(An International Journal of Plant Research & Biotechnology)
Edge-interior disparities in tree species and structural composition of Poba Reserve Forest (PRF), Assam at the foothills of himalayas
Research Articles | Published: 17 March, 2023
Online ISSN : 2229-4473.
Website:www.vegetosindia.org
Pub Email: contact@vegetosindia.org
First Page: 277
Last Page: 285
Views: 1268
Keywords:
Distribution pattern, Diversity indexes, Population dynamic, Regeneration, Tropical semi-evergreen
Abstract
The present study was conducted in edge (EH) and interior (IH) habitats of Poba Reserve Forest (PRF), Dhemaji, Assam, at the foothills of Himalayas during the year 2021–2022 by random quadrat method. Overall, 71 tree species (belonging to 61 genera and 27 families) were recorded from the PRF. Tree species in IH (63 species) were higher than in EH (54 species). Total density and total basal cover of trees were higher in EH (1033.33 stems ha− 1 and 7.71 m2 ha− 1 respectively) than in IH (1000.00 stems ha− 1 and 6.53 m2 ha− 1 respectively). The majority of tree species in both habitats showed clumped distribution patterns. Shannon Weiner’s index, Simpson’s index, and Margalef’s richness index were better in IH (3.94, 0.02 and 11.79 respectively) than in EH (3.69, 0.03 and 9.52 respectively). However, Pielou’s evenness index was higher in EH (0.95) than in IH (0.79). The Sorenson’s similarity index of both habitats was 84%. Diversity of both habitats was not significantly different (P < 0.05) in terms of tree species diversity, as indicated by Hutchenson’s t-test. Poor, fair, or no regeneration of majority of tree species in both habitats is of major concern. The collection of timbers and other NTFPs; and grazing by domestic livestock were prominent in EH. All these coupled with seasonal flood, and annual forest fire are major threats to the sustainability of PRF. Imparting awareness about the importance of biodiversity to the locals and the proper execution of forest laws can positively contribute to the conservation of the forest ecosystem and its resources.
(*Only SPR Members can get full access. Click Here to Apply and get access)
References
Anonymous (2021) Declare Poba Reserve Forest of Dhemaji as National Wildlife Sanctuary: All Assam Students’ Union. The Sentinel https://www.sentinelassam.com (Accessed on 10.01.2022)
Benitez-Malvido J (1998) Impact of forest fragmentation on seedling abundance in a tropical rain forest. Conserv Biol 12(2):380–389
Borah N, Athokpam FD, Garkoti SC, Das AK, Hore DK (2014) Structural and compositional variations in undisturbed and disturbed tropical forests of Bhuban Hills in south Assam, India. Int J Biodivers Sci Ecosyst Serv Manage 10(1):9–19
Champion HG, Seth SK (1968) A revised survey of the forest types of India. Govt. of India Manager publication, New Delhi, India
Couto-Santos APLdo, Miranda LDP, Rossatto DR, Funch LS (2021) Functional diversity of plant communities at edge and interior of a submontane Atlantic Forest: Greater functional than compositional stability. Rodriguesia 72:1–13
Devi LS, Yadava PS (2006) Floristic diversity assessment and vegetation analysis of tropical semievergreen forest of Manipur, Northeast India. Trop Ecol 47(1):89–98
Devi NL, Singha D, Tripathi SK (2018) Tree species composition and diversity in tropical moist forests of Mizoram, Northeast India. Indian J Ecol 45(3):454–461
Duchok R, Kent K, Khumbongmayum AD, Paul A, Khan ML (2005) Population structure and regeneration status of medicinal tree Illicium grifithii in relation to disturbance gradients in temperate broad-leaved forest of Arunachal Pradesh. Curr Sci 89(4):673–676
Gogoi J, Mathiyazhagan M, Chutia M, Doley DK (2022) Orchid resources of Poba Reserve forest in Dhemaji district of Assam, India. Int J Bot Stud 7(6):45–51
Hutchenson K (1970) A test for comparing diversities based on Shannon Formula. J Theoritical Biology 29:151–154
Kacholi DS (2014) Edge-Interior disparities in tree species and structural composition of the Kilengwe forest in Morogoro region, Tanzania. Int J Biodivers. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/516840
Kumar JIN, Kumar RN, Bhoi RK, Sajish PR (2010) Tree species diversity and soil nutrients status in three sites of tropical dry deciduous forest of western India. Trop Ecol 5(1):273–279
Kumari M, Das A, Sharma R, Saikia S (2014) Change detection analysis using multi temporal satellite data of Poba reserve forest, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Int J Geomatics Geosci 4(3):517–125
Kushwaha S, Nandy S (2012) Species diversity and community structure in sal (Shorea robusta) forests of two different rainfall regimes in West Bengal, India. Biodivers Conserv 21(5):1215–1228
Laurance WF, Nascimento HEM, Laurance SG, Andrade A, Ewers RM, Harms KE et al (2007) Habitat Fragmentation, Variable Edge Effects, and the Landscape-Divergence hypothesis. PLoS ONE 2(10):e1017. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0001017
Mao AA, Yumnam JY, Gogoi R, Pinokiyo A (2009) Status and distribution pattern of Rhododendron species in temperate and sub alpine hill range of Mount Esii and surrounding, Manipur and Nagaland, India. The Indian Forester 135:880–890
Margalef DR (1958) Information theory in Ecology. University of Chicago press, Chicago 3:36–71
Marod D, Asanok L, Duengkae P, Pattanavibool A (2012) Vegetation structure and floristic composition along the edge of Montane forest and agricultural land in Um Phang Wildlife Sanctuary, Western Thailand. Kasetsart J (Natural Science) 46:162–180
Misra R (1968) Ecology Work Book. Oxford and IBH, Delhi
Murcia C (1995) Edge effects in fragmented forests: implications for conservation. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 10(2):58–56
Oosterhoorn M, Kappelle M (2000) Vegetation structure and composition along an interior-edge-exterior gradient in a Costa rican montane cloud forest. For Ecol Manag 126:291–307
Pegu R, Gogoi J, Tamuli AK, Teron R (2013) Ethnobotanical study of wild edible plants in Poba reserved forest, Assam, India: multiple functions and implications for conservation. Res J Agric Forestry Sci 1(3):1–10
Pegu R, Tamuli AK, Teron R (2014a) Diversity of medicinal plants in Poba reserved forest, Dhemaji district, Assam, India. Pleione 8(2):462–474
Pegu R, Tamuli AK, Teron R (2014b) Assessment of human-wildlife conflicts in Poba reserved forest, Dhemaji district, Assam (India). Ambient Sci 1(2):36–46
Pielou EC (1966) The measurement of diversity in different types of biological collections. J Theor Biology 13:131–144
Raunkiaer C (1934) The life forms of plants and statistical plant geography. Oxford University Press, London
Sarkar M, Devi A (2014) Assessment of diversity, population structure and regeneration status of tree species in Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam, Northeast India. J Soc Trop Plant Res 1(2):26–36
Sathish NN, Viswanath S, Kushalappa CG, Jagadish MR, Ganeshaiah KN (2013) Comparative assessment of floristic structure, diversity and regeneration status of tropical rain forests of western ghats of Karnataka, India. J Appl Nat Sci 5(1):157–164
Shannon CE, Wiener W (1963) The mathematical theory of communities. University of Illinois Press, Urbana Illinois
Simpson EH (1949) Measurement of diversity. Nature 163:688
Sorenson T (1948) A Method of Establishing Groups of Equal Amplitudes in Plant Sociology Based on Similarity of Species Content and Its Application to Analyses of the Vegetation on Danish Commons. Kongelige Danske Videnskabernes Selskab, Biologiske Skrifter 5:1–34
Swamy PS, Sundarapandian SM, Chandrasekar P, Chandrasekaran S (2000) Plant species diversity and tree population structure of a humid tropical forest in Tamil Nadu, India. Biodivers Conserv 9:1643–1669
Tabarelli M, Cardoso SJMda, Gascon C (2004) Forest fragmentation, synergisms and the impoverishment of neotropical forests. Biodivers Conserv 13(7):1419–1425
Thapa N, Upadhaya K, Baishya R, Barik SK (2011) Effect of plantation of plant diversity and soil status of tropical forest ecosystems in Meghalaya, Northeast India. Int J Ecol Environ Sci 37(1):61–73
Tynsong H, Tiwari BK (2011) Diversity and population characteristics of woody species in natural forests and arecanut agroforests of south Meghalaya, Northeast India. Trop Ecol 52(3):243–252
Visalakshi N (1995) Vegetation analysis of two tropical dry evergreen forests in southern, India. Trop Ecol 36:117–127
Wekesa C, Kirui BK, Maranga EK, Muturi GM (2019) Variations in forest structure, tree species diversity and above-ground biomass in edges to interior cores of fragmented forest patches of Tatia Hills, Kenya. For Ecol Manag 440:48–60
Whitford PB (1949) Distribution of Woodland plants in relation to succession and clonal growth. Ecol Soc Am 30:199–208
Wuyts K, De Schrijver A, Vermeiren F, Verheyen K (2009) Gradual forest edges can mitigate edge effects on through fall deposition if their size and shape are well considered. For Ecol Manag 257:679–687
Yumnam JY, Ronald K (2022) Disparity in phytosociology, biomass and Carbon stocks of trees in primary and secondary temperate broadleaf forest of indian Himalayas. Indian J Ecol 49(5):1613–1620
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the Office of the Range Forest Officer, Jonai Sub-Division, Dhemaji District, Government of Assam for permitting us to work inside the PRF. We would also like to thank Mr. Mukut Rabha (Range Forest Officer), Mr. Biren Baruah (Beat Officer) and Mr. Krishno Kanto Konwar, Mr. Kamaleswar Hazarika, Mr. Surendar Morang, Mr. Nabin Singh and Dharmeswar Daflari (Forest guards) who helped us in field works.
Author Information