GROWTH OF BIOTICALLY DISTURBED AND UNDISTURBED FOREST AT RARHA OF RANCHI EAST FOREST DIVISION
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Date
2010
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Publisher
Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand
Abstract
Forests are valuable natural resource. The goods and services provided by
forests are of immense importance. The population explosion in India has
resulted drastic change in the environment, habitat as well as on number and
variety of species. In India Present forest cover is about 21.02% (690,899 km2) of
total geographical area, whereas, in Jharkhand state which is characterized by
hill, minerals and tribals, the forest cover is about 29.61% (23,605 km2) of the
geographical area of the state. However, this much percentage of the forest is not
sufficient to meet the people’s demand as a result the forest wealth is facing lot
of problems. Ultimately the forest of the area is also affected due to intensive rate
of deforestation or tree removal.
Man and his domestic animals are the most important factors affecting
forest vegetation, although man has been managing forests on scientific basis
principle for the past 100 years or more, yet maximum destruction is cause by
man in many part of the world. The present study has been conducted to assess
the effect of biotic disturbances on two forest areas of Rarha Road identified as
biotically disturbed and biotically undisturbed sites, which is located in hilly
region of Chotanagpur Plateau of Jharkhand at distance of 25 km from Ranchi
on Ranchi-Patratu.
The data was collected by partial sampling techniques taking the
randomly distributed sample plots on both the sites in 5 ha area on each type.
For collection of data on trees, shrubs, herbs and climbers, separate sample plots
of the size 10.00 m X 10.00 m, 5.00m X 5.00m and 1.00 m X 1.00 m are selected,
respectively. All the plant species whether it is tree, shrub, herb and climber
occurred in a sample plot was recorded with respect to the number and basal
area. In case of tree species diameter and height was also measured.
Study on species composition of biotically disturbed and undisturbed
sites indicted presence of 73 plant species distributed to different families. Out of
a total of 19 tree species, 12 species was found at both the sites viz. biotically
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disturbed as well as undisturbed sites, while at of 10 shrub species, 6 shrubby
species were common at both sites. Total number of herbaceous species was
noticed as 31, out of which, 19 were common at both the sites. Out of 13 climber
species, 8 were found at both sites. While remaining 5 climber species was found
only at undisturbed site.
The maximum value of density, frequency and abundance were found for
Sal (Shorea robusta) among ten selected economically important tree species at
biotically disturbed and undisturbed sites. Similarly, maximum relative
dominance values were found for Sal (Shorea robusta) at both the sites. However,
maximum variation, were noticed in case of Palash, Kendu and Semal.
Among 8 commonly occurring species at disturbed and undisturbed sites
in 7 tree species (Asan, Jamun, Kendu, Mahua, Piar, Palash and Sal) more
average diameter at undisturbed site was found. The top diameter at
undisturbed site for Asan, Jamun, Kendu, Mahua, Palash and Sal was found
greater than disturbed site, while on disturbed site Semal and Piar have shown
more diameter. The average height of Sal among ten species was found more at
undisturbed site (17.86m) than disturbed site (13.33m). The top height estimated
to know site quality of a forest area has indicated at maximum value in case of
Jamun (15.50 m), followed by Semal (15.00 m) and minimum in case of Rori (9.75
m) an disturbed site, while at undisturbed site, maximum top height was
calculated for Sal (20.41 m) and minimum in case of Kendu (11.50 m). At
disturbed site maximum form quotient value has of Kushum (0.99) indicated
cylindrical form, while at undisturbed site, Sal bearing on value of 0.90 for form
quotient showed cylindrical form.
The total volume of Sal was found maximum as compared to all most all the
tree species. The total volume of Sal at undisturbed site (268.90 cu.m/ha) was
found almost eight time greater than its value at disturbed site (33.17 cu.m/ha).
Fair regeneration Sal (36.7%) and Palash (29.5%) at disturbed site, while
moderate (59.8%) in Sal and deficient (19.5%) in Palash at undisturbed site is
noticed. Other species found at both the sites showed deficient regeneration.
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Physico-Chemical properties of soil in biotically disturbed and undisturbed
sites of Rarha forest area has indicated sandy loam soil on both the sites, while
percentage of silt and sand was found more at undisturbed site. The soil pH
ranged from 6.15 to 6.93 at biotically disturbed site, and 5.27 to 5.90 for
undisturbed site. The value of organic carbon (%) was found more at
undisturbed sites. The difference of available nitrogen between two sites
(undisturbed and disturbed) was highly significant than available phosphorus
and available potassium.
Description
GROWTH OF BIOTICALLY DISTURBED AND UNDISTURBED FOREST AT RARHA OF RANCHI EAST FOREST DIVISION
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