FLORISTIC COMPOSITION AND BIOMASS VARIATIONS IN DIFFERENTLY MANAGED Quercus leucotrichophora FORESTS IN RAJGARH, H.P.
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Date
2016
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UHF,NAUNI
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The present investigation entitled “Floristic composition and biomass variations in differently managed Quercus leucotrichophora forests in Rajgarh, H.P.” was carried out in Rajgarh Forest Division of Himachal Pradesh during the year 2015-16 with the aim to assess floristic composition, phytosociology, biomass, carbon stock, soil physico-chemical properties and microflora distribution under these forests. Four differently managed forests of Quercus leucotrichophora were selected viz., Protected Forest (PF), Reserved Forest (RF), Unclassified Forest (UF) and Musterqua Forest (MF). Each forest was divided into three elevation zones, E1< 1650m, E2 = 1651- 1900m and E3 > 1900m. Structural and functional parameters of trees, shrubs and herbaceous vegetation in each forest were studied by laying down four sample plots of 0.1 ha for trees, two plots of 5m×5m in each sample plot were marked to study shrubs and 3 quadrats of 50cm×50cm in each sample plot were harvested to study herbs characteristics for composition, density (trees or plants/ha), basal area (m2/ha), biomass (t/ha), and carbon stock (t/ha). The data were analyzed by using factorial RBD. The forests comprised of 23 families with 33 genera and 34 plant species. Vegetation indices of vegetation viz., Shannon Weiner, Simpson’s diversity and Species richness exhibited maximum values in Reserved Forest. The change in these indices along elevation did not follow any regular trend. Density, basal area, biomass and carbon stock of shrubs and herbs were found higher in Reserved Forest. Tree biomass and carbon stock in trees showed the precedence: Reserved Forest > Protected Forest > Unclassified Forest > Musterqua Forest and it decreased with an increase in elevation. Shrub and herbs biomass in the order: Reserved Forest > Protected Forest > Musterqua Forest > Unclassified Forest. The pH of soil in these forests was found to be slightly acidic and ranged from 5.63 to 6.83 and decreased in the order: Musterqua Forest > Unclassified Forest > Protected forest > Reserved Forest. Soil organic carbon (%) and EC (dS/m2) was recorded higher for Reserved Forest followed by Protected Forest, Unclassified Forest and Musterqua Forest while Bulk density (g cm-3) and pH decreased in the order: Musterqua Forest > Unclassified Forest > Protected forest > Reserved Forest. Along the elevation it decreased with an increase in elevation. Bacterial and actinomycetes count was recorded highest in Reserved Forest and they decreased along the elevation in all the forest types unlike fungi which was increased with an increase in elevation.
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