Loading...
Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi
Browse
3 results
Search Results
ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF FOREST FIRE ON SOIL AND REGENERATION OF TREE SPECIES IN TROPICAL DRY DECIDUOUS FOREST OF RANCHI FOREST DIVISION, JHARKHAND(Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2023) LEOSH D ALEX; P. TirkeyThe present investigation entitled “Effect of forest fire on soil and regeneration of tree species in tropical dry deciduous forest of Ranchi forest division, Jharkhand” was conducted in Nawadih beat of Burmu range forest, Ranchi during the year 2022-2023, with the following objectives: (i) To compare the phytosociology and regeneration of tree species under fire affected and unaffected areas of tropical dry deciduous forest. (ii) To understand the influence of forest fire on soil physico-chemical properties in comparison to undisturbed areas of tropical dry deciduous forest. (iii) To evaluate the impact of fire on phytosociology, regeneration of tree species and physico-chemical properties of soil in disturbed and undisturbed areas through correlation studies. For both fire-affected and -unaffected sites, ten quadrats were laid. Using information from the Jharkhand Forest Department, the plots for fire-affected areas were located. The research was carried out in dry deciduous forests in various vegetation layers. To lay the quadrats, the simple random sampling approach was adopted. Based on estimates using the species area curve method, 12 m × 12 m quadrats were considered for trees; two 5 m x 5 m sub-plots were considered for shrubs; five 2 m x 2 m sub-plots were considered for regeneration; and five 1 m x 1 m sub-plots were considered for herbs within the main quadrat. The variations in the structure, diversity, and composition of the vegetation in the different layers were measured. At the fire-undisturbed site, a total tree density of 1546 trees per hectare were observed, while the investigation at the fire-disturbed site recorded a total of 1384 trees per hectare. The overall tree basal area ranged from 41.59 to 43.79 m2 per hectare. Shrub encounters amounted to 2260 individuals per hectare at the undisturbed site, whereas the disturbed site documented 2580 shrubs per hectare. The cumulative shrub basal area varied from 3.00 to 3.72 m2 per hectare. For herbs, 1,89,400 individuals per hectare were identified at the undisturbed site, compared to 2,85,000 individuals per hectare at the disturbed site. The overall herb basal area ranged from 0.86 to 0.93 m2 per hectare. Shorea robusta exhibited the highest Importance Value Index (IVI) in the tree layer at both sites. Meanwhile, Eupatorium odoratum displayed the highest IVI among shrubs at both sites, and at the undisturbed and disturbed sites, Cynodon dactylon and Chrysopogon aciculatus demonstrated the highest IVI among herbs, respectively. Concerning regeneration, the sites unaffected by fire exhibited a favorable status with 58% of tree species displaying good regeneration, 26% regenerating fairly, and 16% showing no signs of regeneration. In contrast, at fire-affected sites, 53% of tree species showcased good regeneration, 24% displayed poor regeneration, and 23% recorded no regeneration. The diversity analysis of regeneration indicated a density range of 2200 to 9700 individuals per hectare. In the sub-whippy layer, the undisturbed site registered 7300 individuals per hectare compared to 2200 individuals per hectare at the disturbed site. In the recruits’ layer, 9700 individuals per hectare were observed at the undisturbed site, while the disturbed site recorded 3100 individuals per hectare. Shorea robusta exhibited the highest dominance with an Importance Value Index (IVI) ranging from 61.44 to 113.94 across all regeneration layers at both undisturbed and disturbed sites. The Shannon index exhibited a range of 1.659 to 2.328 for regeneration and 1.986 to 2.865 for the phytosociology of trees, shrubs, and herbs. Concentration of dominance varied between 0.746 to 0.874 for regeneration and 0.761 to 0.937 for the phytosociology of trees, shrubs, and herbs. Equitability spanned from 0.793 to 0.923 for regeneration and 0.734 to 0.957 for trees, shrubs, and herbs. Species richness displayed a range of 0.852 to 1.574 for regeneration and 0.891 to 2.451 for trees, shrubs, and herbs. The soil analysis results (0 to 15 cm depth) for both sites revealed significant disparities in physico-chemical properties. Notably, differences were observed in bulk density (1.35 for the fire-undisturbed site and 1.42 for the fire-disturbed site), soil moisture content (7.08% for the undisturbed site and 4.45% for the disturbed site), soil pH (5.36 for the fire-undisturbed site and 5.11 for the fire-disturbed site), soil organic carbon (0.42% for the fire-undisturbed site and 0.33% for the fire-disturbed site), available nitrogen (247.74 kg ha-1 for the fire-undisturbed site and 206.98 kg ha-1 for the fire-disturbed site), available phosphorous (7.28 kg ha-1 for the fire-undisturbed site and 3.62 kg ha-1 for the fire-disturbed site), and available potassium (205.86 kg ha-1 for the fire-undisturbed site and 187.71 kg ha-1 for the fire-disturbed site). Additionally, soil texture was identified as sandy loam at both sites, with variations in textural fractions, specifically a lower value of clay fraction at the fire-disturbed site. The soil color for both sites was recorded as reddish-yellow, with the fire-affected site displaying a lower value of chroma. According to the Pearson correlation analysis, there was a significant positive correlation between the basal areas of established, woody, whippy, and sub-whippy regeneration and the density of established (r = 0.989**), woody (r = 0.963**), whippy (r = 0.938**), and sub-whippy regeneration (r = 0.961**) respectively. Additionally, a significant negative correlation was observed between available phosphorus and soil moisture content (r = -0.809**), as well as between available nitrogen and the basal area of herbs (r = -800**). The findings of the current study indicate that fire disturbance has a considerable impact on the regeneration, soil physico-chemical properties, and phytosociology of shrubs and herbs. Consequently, there is a pressing need for collaborative efforts from both governmental organizations and local communities to preserve the indigenous diversity of Jharkhand's forests.ThesisItem Open Access SPECIES COMPOSITION, BIOMASS, CARBON STOCK AND CARBON SEQUESTRATION IN TROPICAL DRY DECIDUOUS FOREST OF KANKE RANGE, RANCHI DIVISION, JHARKHAND(Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2021) KHADANGA, ABHIJIT; Tirkey, P.Study entitled “Species composition, Biomass, Carbon stock and Carbon sequestration in tropical dry deciduous forest of Kanke Range, Ranchi Division, Jharkhand” was conducted in Patratu valley forest of Kanke range, Ranchi Division during the year 2020-2021 with the following objectives (i) To determine the species composition and diversity of the Patratu valley forest. (ii) To estimate the biomass and carbon stock of the Patratu valley forest. (iii) To estimate the carbon sequestration in the Patratu valley forest. The simple random sampling procedure was adopted for characterization of vegetation. The phyto-sociological analysis of the forest was carried out by randomly placing 10 quadrates of 10x10 m2. In each quadrate, GBH (Girth at Breast Height) of individuals (≥ 30 cm girth) trees and saplings (individuals >10 cm - ≤ 30 cm girth) were measured. In centre of each 10x10m2 quadrate, a 2x2m2 area will be marked for enumeration of seedlings (individuals <10 cm girth). Stem girth of adults and saplings were measured at 1.37m from the ground and for seedlings at collar region. Shrubs were measured in the 10 x 10m2 quadrate at base. As the research work was conducted in summer months, the contribution of herbaceous vegetation towards carbon sequestered can be neglected for the time being. A total of 1670 trees ha-1 representing 19 species and 14 families were encountered in study site and Shorea robusta showed highest value of IVI (129.87) followed by Diospyros melanoxylon (39.32) and Adina cordifolia (27.11). A total of 1280 saplings ha-1 representing 16 species and 13 families were encountered and Shorea robusta showed highest value of IVI (102.18) followed by Diospyros melanoxylon (48.72) and Terminalia catappa (26.29). A total of 13640 seedlings ha-1 representing 15 species and 13 families were encountered and Shorea robusta showed highest value of IVI (91.68) followed by Syzygium cumini (45.60) and Diospyros melanoxylon (44.71). A total of 9330 shrubs ha-1 representing 6 species and 5 families were encountered and Lygodium japonicum showed highest value of IVI (97.06) followed by Woodfordia fruticosa (80.35) and Lantana camara (40.04). Shannon index was calculated to be 1.98 for trees, 2.09 for saplings, 2.06 for seedlings, and 0.99 for shrubs. The Concentration of dominance was calculated to be 0.262 for trees, 0.2 for saplings, 0.185 for seedlings, and 0.52 for shrubs. Equitability was calculated to be 0.67 for trees, 0.75 for saplings, 0.76 for seedlings, and 0.55 for shrubs. Species richness was calculated to be 2.42 for trees, 2.09 for saplings, 1.47 for seedlings, and 0.54 for shrubs. Total tree biomass recorded was 326.646 t ha-1 of which 288.14 t ha-1 was AGB and 33.504 t ha-1 BGB and among the individual species Shorea robusta constituted the highest biomass i.e. 221.4 t ha-1. Total sapling biomass recorded was 24.301 t ha-1 of which 19.92 t ha-1 was AGB and 4.38 t ha-1 BGB and among the individual species Shorea robusta constituted the highest biomass i.e. 11.38 t ha-1. Total seedling biomass recorded was 2.887 t ha-1 of which 2.196 t ha-1 was AGB and 0.691 t ha-1 BGB and among the individual species Shorea robusta constituted the highest biomass i.e. 0.521 t ha-1. Total shrub biomass recorded was 5.12 t ha-1 of which 4.24 t ha-1 was AGB and 0.882 t ha-1. BGB Among the individual species Woodfordia fruticosa constituted the highest biomass i.e. 2.765 t ha-1. Total tree carbon stock recorded was 163.232 t ha-1.Total sapling carbon stock recorded was 12.151 t ha-1. Total seedling carbon stock recorded was 1.44 t ha-1. Total shrub carbon stock recorded was 2.562 t ha-1. Total tree carbon sequestration recorded was 599.44 t ha-1. Total sapling carbon sequestration recorded was 44.59 t ha-1. Total seedling carbon sequestration recorded was 5.30 t ha-1. Total shrub carbon sequestration recorded was 9.40 t ha-1.ThesisItem Open Access STUDY ON CARBON STOCK DYNAMICS AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SOIL UNDER FOREST PLANTATIONS IN TROPICAL DRY DECIDUOUS FOREST AT RARHA(Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2021) KAITH, MANMOHAN; Tirkey, PushpaThe present investigations entitled “Study on carbon stock dynamics and physico-chemical properties of soil under forest plantations in tropical dry deciduous forest at Rarha” were carried out in the soil under plantations raised by Faculty of Forestry during the period 1984-86. The study area was the remnants of Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest which comes under the sub group 5B/C1 (Northern Dry Sal bearing forest) of Champion and Seth classification of Indian Forest in 1968. The plantation of Leucaena leucocephala, Gmelina arborea, Cassia siamea and Eucalyptus tereticornis were selected to study the carbon stock dynamics of soil under 35 years old forest plantations w.r.t the adjacent unplanted area. The observations regarding different soil parameters like Texture, Colour, Soil Organic Carbon (SOC), Bulk density, pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), NPK, Soil Carbon Density and growth parameters like Girth, Height, Basal area and Volume were recorded. Percent SOC and carbon density was highest (0.61 % and 13.54 t ha-1) in soils below Gmelina arborea plantation, while the bulk density was highest (1.52 g cm-3) in Eucalyptus tereticornis plantation. Soil pH was slightly acidic under plantations as compare to the adjacent unplanted area. pH and EC was highest in Cassia siamea (5.95) and Gmelina arborea (0.06 dS m-1) plantation respectively. Nitrogen were recorded highest (255.06 kg ha-1) under Gmelina arborea plantation, while the available phosphorous (39.09 kg ha-1) and potassium (237.91 kg ha- 1) were recorded highest in Eucalyptus tereticornis plantation. Total carbon density was highest (40.61 t ha-1) in soil below Gmelina arborea while the percent gain w.r.t the area adjacent to the plantations were also highest (64.9 %) in Gmelina arborea plantation. Tree growth is the by-product of its inherit property and mineral nutrients present in the soil. The maximum height (41 m) and volume (2.850 m3) were recorded in Eucalyptus tereticornis plantation, while the minimum height (21.69 m) and volume (0.958 m3) were recorded in Gmelina arborea plantation. The study revealed that all plantations resulted in significant increase in soil carbon density as compared to control site outside the plantations. Forest plantation of Gmelina arborea has highest potential of accumulating organic carbon in soil than other plantations.
