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2016 - 20183
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Subject: Forest Product and Utilisation × Author: KAU × End date: 2018 × Start date: 2016 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Functional diversity of an evergreen forest ecosystem of Vazhachal forest division, Kerala
    (Department of Forest Management and Utilisation, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2016) Deepakkumar, R; KAU; Gopakumar, S
    The present study was carried out at Sholayar forest range of Vazhachal forest division of Thrissur district, Kerala state. The main objective of the study was to enumerate the species and functional diversity of selected aboveground and belowground biological components of this forest ecosystem. The study also aimed to understand the links between diversity, soil aspects, and functioning of the tropical west coast wet evergreen forest ecosystem. Five 0.1 ha (31.62 m x 31.62 m) sample plots were randomly laid in the selected grids in the Vazhachal forests as per the guidelines of National Working Plan Code 2014. A total of 175 plant species (<10 cm GBH) were recorded from the 0.5 ha (0.1 x 5 nos.) area in which 57 recruits, 29 shrubs, 28 herbs, 19 climbers, 14 pteridophytes, 13 polypores, 7 epiphytes, 4 orchids and 4 bryophytes. Palaquium ellipticum, Cullenia exarillata and Mesua ferrea are well represented young recruits. In addition, Dendrocnide sinuata, Psychotria nudiflora and Strobilanthus species were observed as dominant in the shrubby layer. Curcuma neilgherrensis, Pellionia heyneana and Oplismenus compositus are some of the herbs found in the herbaceous layer. Coscinium fenestratum, Leea indica, and Calamus species are the some of the important climbers found in the sampled sites. A total of 84 tree species were recorded from the 0.5 ha area with 1093 individuals per hectare and basal area of 85.43m2. Aglaia barberi, Cullenia exarillata, Mesua ferrea and Palaquium ellipticum were the dominated in the top canopy. Dipterocarpus indicus, Hydnocarpus pentandra and Myristica beddomei were observed in the middle storey. Garcinia wightii, Spondias pinnata and Strychnos nux-vomica were occupied in the lower canopy. Euphorbiaceae, Clusiaceae and Meliaceae were the dominant tree families. The diameter frequency as well as height frequency distribution of the sampled sites showed the reverse J shaped curve which reflects the healthy population structure. Margalef richness index (28.31), Shannon-Wieners index (4.08), Simpson index (0.9808) and Pielou`s index (0.6587). Rényi’s diversity profile and Principal Component analysis shows that there is smaller variation across sampled sites. The dominating plant functional traits are evergreen plant type (70.2%), simple leaf type (72.6%), glabrous textured leaf type (78.57%), smooth textured bark type (47.2%), medium thick bark type (53.5%), capsule fruit type (32.1%) and zoochory type (55.95%) of fruit dispersal which are typical of a tropical evergreen forest ecosystem. A total of 870 individuals of soil invertebrates under 28 different order were obtained from the 0.5 ha area. Isoptera, Hymenoptera and Coleoptera emerged as the dominant orders. Shannon- Wiener Index (2.40), Simpson Index of diversity (0.14) and Pielou's evenness Index (0.51) are soil invertebrates’ diversity. The population of Bacteria (44.4 x 106 cfu g-1), Fungi (26.3 x 103 cfu g-1), Fluorescent pseudomonads (18.3 x104 cfu g-1), Nitrogen fixers (14.4 x 104 cfu g-1), Actinomycetes (16.4 x 104 cfu g-1) and Phosphate solubilizers (20 x 103 cfu g-1). Soil temperature (19.82˚C), Bulk density (1.28g cm-3), Moisture content (29.06%), Sandy loam soil (Sand- 78.15%, Silt- 16.04% and Clay- 5.82%), Organic carbon (4.19%), Soil acidity (5.25) and Soil electrical conductivity (0.07mSm-1) are recorded during the study.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Screening of superior genotypes of ailanthus triphysa (Dennst.) Alston. (Matti) for Matchwood quality
    (Department of Forest Products and Utilization, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2018) Jagaddish Kumar, Das; KAU; Anoop, E V
    A study entitled “Screening of superior genotypes of Ailanthus triphysa (Dennst.) Alston. (Matti) for matchwood quality” was conducted in the College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur during the period, 2016-2018. The objectives were to assess the variation in growth and wood traits of Ailanthus triphysa grown in the main campus of Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara under a tree improvement trial. It was also aimed at selecting the superior genotype in this population through an assessment of the genetic worth of their parents. Among the five best performing progenies, FCV AT 11 and FCV AT 20 were found to perform well in terms of height and collar diameter. The progenies of FCV AT 11 also showed highest mean stem volume of 0.006 m3. Overall mode for number of branches was found to be zero, only one progeny (FCV AT 3) had single branching habit. Regarding bole straightness all the progenies scored 3 “almost straight with 1 or 2 small bends” except progeny of FCV AT 8 and 14 CPTs scored two “slightly crooked with 2 small bends or less than 2 serious bends”. At this stage of the trial, majority of the progenies had good branching habit and bole straightness. This aspect should be utilized in breeding programme so that it will be helpful to improve the tree form, which ultimately upgrade the quality and economic value of the timber. Average survival percentage of the progenies were found to be 94.98 %. The average basic density of CPTs was found to be 0.37 g cm-3, which shows that the wood belongs to the light wood category. Wood colour and grain pattern studies revealed that, single colour (pale yellow) and straight grain pattern was found in all the CPTs respectively. Fibre morphology, vessel morphology, and ray morphology exhibited significant variation among the CPTs whereas, the variation in tissue proportion was found to be non-significant. Pest incidence was found to be one of the major hindrances to the growth of the species. Bioassay using Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) was found to be effective against both the lepidopteran defoliators, Eligma narcissus (Cram.) and Atteva fabriciella Swederus. In case of E. narcissus, median lethal dose (LD50) was achieved with 10 % concentration of Bt whereas in A. fabriciella, 2.5% Bt concentration was found to be effective. Neem oil showed a clear antifeedant activity against E. narcissus, the feeding rate was reduced to 3.58 % in 2 % neem oil treated leaves as compared to 30.91 % in control. Scoring of pest incidence was found to be non109 significant among the progenies, all the progenies affected moderately by both E. narcissus and A. fabriciella. Ten CPTs namely FCV AT 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 20 were found to be good combiners for both height and collar diameter. The CPTs with positive GCA could be potentially included in a seed production programme and for further breeding. Broad sense heritability (H2) for height was found to be 0.03 and for collar diameter, 0.1. It could therefore be concluded that height and collar diameter were highly influenced byenvironmental factors rather than genetic factors.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Cause - consequence analysis of human-wildlife conflict in Wayanad district, Kerala
    (Department of Forest Management and Utilization, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2017) Ajaisanker, K; KAU; Gopakumar, S
    Human-wildlife conflicts is now a paradox for foresters and policy makers across the globe. In Kerala, interaction between humans and wildlife is affecting many lives and livelihoods. The damage caused by these interactions are drastic, it can vary from crop loss in a small area to human deaths. For the people living near the protected areas crop losses and livestock losses due to raiding by wildlife are a serious social and ecological concern as this can create an anti-wildlife lobby in the long run. So, understanding the social dimensions of such conflicts is also important to frame effective mitigation strategies. The study titled “Cause-consequence analysis of human-wildlife conflict in Wayanad district, Kerala” conducted during 2015-2017 tried to discern the nature, frequency, distribution and intensity of human-wildlife conflicts in Wayanad district and to understand the causative factors involved in the conflicts. The study was also intended to suggest suitable mitigatory measures to enhance human-wildlife coexistence in Wayanad district. A total of 120 households were interviewed from four locations in Wayanad namely Meppadi, Odapallam (SulthanBathery), Bhoothanam (Chedleth) and Thirunelli. Detailed interviews using pre-tested questionnaire was conducted and Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools like timeline, problem tree and vulnerability mapping was employed at each location for collecting additional information. Crop raiding was found to be the major type of conflict occurring in the district. Over the past years there occurred a shift in the farming practices with banana becoming a popular crop at the expense of the traditional crops. Most of the respondents lived in the close proximity and practiced agriculture and also occasionally integrated livestock in their farms. More palatable crops in the forest fringes along with domestic animals and plentiful water attracted the wildlife to the farmlands. Plantations of teak, eucalyptus etc, together with the invasive alien weed species has smothered the natural vegetation thereby reduced the natural food resources triggering animal migration. Reduced rainfall, droughts and forest fires that the district now increasingly experience has further reduced the availability of resources for the wildlife. These were found to be the major causes leading to conflicts. People were well aware of the forest laws and the attitude of the farmers to wildlife was positive. They believed in coexistence and conservation to be unavoidable for human existence. Enrichment of the habitat and fencing around the farmlands were favoured as the best mitigation measure. People did support the compensation schemes and insurances, provided they were adequate and immediate. The study outlines the possible role of various stakeholders such as farmers, Non- Governmental Organisations, Research institutions, Local self-governmental institutions and governments in improving the conflict mitigation process.