FIRE EFFECTS ON GROUND FLORA OF VEGETATION COMMUNITIES IN SOLAN (H.P.)
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Date
2014
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UHF,NAUNI
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The present investigation entitled “Fire effects on ground flora of vegetation communities in
Solan (H.P.)” was carried out in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh, India during the year 2011-12 with
the aim to assess effects of fire on floristic composition, phytosociology, biomass, carbon stock of
forests/grasslands and physico-chemical properties of soil. Two forests viz., Acacia and Quercus forests
were selected for study and compared with grasslands adjacent to them. Structural and functional
parameters of trees, shrubs, monthly herbaceous vegetation and physico-chemical properties of soil in
each burnt and unburnt forests and grasslands were also studied. The floral spectrum of vegetation in
Acacia and Quercus forests and, their adjoining grasslands was represented by 29 plant families
consisting of trees, shrubs and herbs with 66 genera and 70 species (19 grasses, 2 sedges, 3 legumes, 26
forbs, 17 shrubs and 3 species of trees). Peak density, basal area and total biomass of herbage reached in
September and declined thereafter. In all the sites, combined contribution of forbs, legumes and sedges to
the phytosociological attributes and biomass of herbage was less than 5% and their order as: grasses >
forbs > legumes > sedges. Fire increased the density, basal area and biomass of herbs but decreased them
in shrubs in Acacia and Quercus forests and, their adjoining grasslands. Fire increased the biomass of
herbage in grasslands and forests but this increase was more in Quercus forest as compared to Acacia
forest and grasslands. Total carbon stock (herbs + shrubs + trees + soil) was higher under unburnt plots of
Acacia forests and grasslands but in burnt Quercus forest recorded higher total carbon stock as compared
to unburnt Quercus forest. High soil nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and, low soil bulk density and
organic carbon was recorded in burnt sites.
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