Plant diversity and stand structure comparison of Mikania micrantha invaded and non-invaded tropical Shorea robusta forest

Mikania micrantha is considered to be the most problematic in terrestrial ecosystem in Eastern and Central Nepal. Despite the current situation of the Mikania invasion, quantitative data on the impacts and scale of the problems are lacking for the country. Due to the lack of information regarding scale of invasion, the stakeholders have not put forwarded the proper control mechanism of the species. This paper has made an attempt to analyze the scale of invasion through the comparison of plant biodiversity and basal area per hectare as the significance of stand structure between Mikaniainvaded and non-invaded tropical Shorea robusta forest areas. This study was conducted in Barandabhar Buffer Zone Forest of Chitwan National Park. Sampling and measurement was conducted in both the invaded and non-invaded forest areas. The stand structure of both the invaded and non-invaded areas were compared in terms of different parameters like seeding density, sapling density, pole basal area per hectare and tree basal area per hectare. Statistical analysis showed that there is significant impact of Mikania on plant diversity at seedling and sapling stages. There is negative effect of Mikania on stand structure of the forest. Hence, there is urgent need to control the invasive weed so as to control further invasion and to conserve biodiversity and productivity.Banko JanakariA Journal of Forestry Information for NepalVol. 26, No. 1, Page: 78-81, 2016

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Regeneration, growth of Hill Sal and plant diversity in Community Forest: A case study from Pragatisil Community Forest in Kaski District, Western Nepal

Banko Janakari ◽

10.3126/banko.v23i2.15479 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 37-43 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

B. K. Paudyal

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Plant Diversity ◽

Growth Parameters ◽

Basal Area ◽

Community Forest ◽

Shorea Robusta ◽

Plot Size ◽

Regeneration Status ◽

M 10

The study was conducted in the Pragatisil Community Forest, Kaski District, Nepal in 2012 to assess the regeneration status of Sal (Shorea robusta) seedlings, its growth and plant diversity. A plot size of 25 m × 20 m was employed for trees, 10 m ×10 m for poles and 5 m × 5 m for regeneration. The growth parameters measured were dbh and height. A factorial arrangement of treatments was employed; the treatments being slope and aspect. The results showed that there was significant (p<0.05) effect of slope on dbh and basal area whereas there was no effect of aspect on growth parameters measured in the Pragatisil Community Forest. The regeneration of Sal was satisfactory (6,126 seedlings/ha), and there were 32 plant species in this forest. As there was higher basal area per ha in the Pragatisil Community Forest, it is recommended to have thinning of 40% of basal area for enhancing growth of remaining stems.Banko Janakari, Vol. 23, No. 2, 2013

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Controls of plant diversity attributes over above ground biomass in Sal forests of Eastern India

10.21203/rs.3.rs-33057/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Rahul Kumar ◽

Amit Kumar ◽

Purabi Saikia

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Carbon Sequestration ◽

Plant Diversity ◽

Global Climate ◽

Basal Area ◽

Above Ground Biomass ◽

Eastern India ◽

Shorea Robusta ◽

Ground Biomass ◽

Indian Forests

Abstract Background Above ground biomass (AGB) is a useful measure for assessing changes in forest structure and functional, and play a significant role in studying carbon stocks, the effect of deforestation and carbon sequestration on the global carbon balance. The present study aimed to study the relationship between AGB and community parameters in Sal forests of Eastern India through stratified random sampling by lying 92 belt transects each of 0.5 ha size. Results It recorded a high AGB (410.70 Mg ha-1), and carbon stock (Cp) (193.06 Mg C ha-1), and forest wise AGB ranged from 0.19 to 24.75 Mg ha-1 (mean 4.45 ± 0.45 SE). The spatial pattern of AGB showed that maximum studied forests (65%) had very low AGB (<5.00 Mg ha-1), and only one forests (1%) located in the northwest corner of Ranchi had very high AGB (>20 Mg ha-1). Species wise AGB ranged from 0.001 to 7074.94 Mg ha-1 (mean 106 ± 71 SE) and Shorea robusta with maximum basal area (120.81 m2 ha−1) contributed maximum AGB (64.87% of the total AGB), however, no similar trends have been observed in any other tree species. A significant positive correlation was observed between AGB and Cp (r=1.00, p<0.01), H’ (r= .58, p<0.01), Dmg (r= .31, p<0.01), Dmn (r= .49, p<0.01), ENS (r= .57, p<0.01), E (r= .26, p<0.05), and basal area (r= 0.71, p<0.05). However, a negative correlation of AGB was evident with CD (r= -.57, p<0.01), and density (r= - 0.17). Conclusions The relationships differed greatly among plant diversity attributes, basal area, density, AGB, and Cp within and among various forests and the strongest relationships within each forests were always those having greater richness (Dmg, Dmn), diversity (H, ENS), basal area or evenness (E). Estimation of forest Cp enables us to assess the amount of carbon loss during deforestation or the amount of carbon stored during forest regeneration. The present study will directly help in studying the response of climate change on ecosystem productivity, energy and nutrient flow, and for assessing the patterns of carbon sequestration in Indian forests under global climate change.

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The Difficulty of Predicting Eastern Spruce Dwarf Mistletoe in Lowland Black Spruce: Model Benchmarking in Northern Minnesota, USA

Forests ◽

10.3390/f12070843 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (7) ◽

pp. 843

Author(s):

Ella R. Gray ◽

Matthew B. Russell ◽

Marcella A. Windmuller-Campione

Keyword(s):

Stand Structure ◽

Black Spruce ◽

Forest Health ◽

Basal Area ◽

Predictive Performance ◽

Stand Age ◽

Management Decisions ◽

Dwarf Mistletoe ◽

Growing Seasons ◽

Model Interpretation

Insects, fungi, and diseases play an important role in forest stand development and subsequently, forest management decisions and treatments. As these disturbance agents commonly occur within and across landscapes, modeling has often been used to inform forest planning and management decisions. However, models are rarely benchmarked, leaving questions about their utility. Here, we assessed the predictive performance of a Bayesian hierarchical model through on–the-ground sampling to explore what features of stand structure or composition may be important factors related to eastern spruce dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium pusillum Peck) presence in lowland black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B. S. P.). Twenty-five state-owned stands included in the predictive model were sampled during the 2019 and 2020 growing seasons. Within each stand, data related to the presence of eastern spruce dwarf mistletoe, stand structure, and species composition were collected. The model accurately predicted eastern spruce dwarf mistletoe occurrence for 13 of the 25 stands. The amount of living and dead black spruce basal area differed significantly based on model prediction and observed infestation, but trees per hectare, total living basal area, diameter at breast height, stand age, and species richness were not significantly different. Our results highlight the benefits of model benchmarking to improve model interpretation as well as to inform our understanding of forest health problems across diverse stand conditions.

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Tekstura drzewostanów naturalnych w polskich parkach narodowych na tle teorii dynamiki lasu

10.15576/978-83-66602-20-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Leszek Bartkowicz ◽

Keyword(s):

Tree Species ◽

Stand Structure ◽

Basal Area ◽

Site Conditions ◽

Gap Dynamics ◽

Old Growth ◽

Mosaic Pattern ◽

Spruce Forests ◽

Old Growth Forest ◽

Patch Mosaic

The aim of the study was to compare a patch-mosaic pattern in the old-growth forest stands developed in various climate and soil conditions occurring in different regions of Poland. Based on the assumption, that the patch-mosaic pattern in the forest reflect the dynamic processes taking place in it, and that each type of forest ecosystem is characterized by a specific regime of natural disturbances, the following hypotheses were formulated: (i) the patches with a complex structure in stands composed of latesuccessional, shade-tolerant tree species are more common than those composed of early-successional, light-demanding ones, (ii) the patch-mosaic pattern is more heterogeneous in optimal forest site conditions than in extreme ones, (iii) in similar site conditions differentiation of the stand structure in distinguished patches is determined by the successional status of the tree species forming a given patch, (iv) the successional trends leading to changes of species composition foster diversification of the patch structure, (v) differentiation of the stand structure is negatively related to their local basal area, especially in patches with a high level of its accumulation. Among the best-preserved old-growth forest remaining under strict protection in the Polish national parks, nineteen research plots of around 10 ha each were selected. In each plot, a grid (50 × 50 m) of circular sample subplots (with radius 12,62 m) was established. In the sample subplots, species and diameter at breast height of living trees (dbh ≥ 7 cm) were determined. Subsequently, for each sample subplot, several numerical indices were calculated: local basal area (G), dbh structure differentiation index (STR), climax index (CL) and successional index (MS). Statistical tests of Kruskal- Wallis, Levene and Generalized Additive Models (GAM) were used to verify the hypotheses. All examined forests were characterized by a large diversity of stand structure. A particularly high frequency of highly differentiated patches (STR > 0,6) was recorded in the alder swamp forest. The patch mosaic in the examined plots was different – apart from the stands with a strongly pronounced mosaic character (especially subalpine spruce forests), there were also stands with high spatial homogeneity (mainly fir forests). The stand structure in the distinguished patches was generally poorly related to the other studied features. Consequently, all hypotheses were rejected. These results indicate a very complex, mixed pattern of forest natural dynamics regardless of site conditions. In beech forests and lowland multi-species deciduous forests, small-scale disturbances of the gap dynamics type dominate, which are overlapped with less frequent medium-scale disturbances. In more difficult site conditions, large-scale catastrophic disturbances, which occasionally appear in communities formed under the influence of gap dynamics (mainly spruce forests) or cohort dynamics (mainly pine forests), gain importance.

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Structure and Regeneration of Sal (Shorea robusta Gaertn. f.) Forests in Shiwalik Region of Kumaun Himalaya, India

Indian Journal of Forestry ◽

10.54207/bsmps1000-2017-0n83l0 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 40 (1) ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Bhawna Adhikari ◽

◽

Bhawana Kapkoti ◽

Neelu Lodhiyal ◽

L.S. Lodhiyal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tree Species ◽

Basal Area ◽

Tree Canopy ◽

Canopy Density ◽

Kumaun Himalaya ◽

Shorea Robusta ◽

Canopy Trees ◽

Dense Forest ◽

Open Forest ◽

Sal Forest

Present study was carried out to assess the structure and regeneration of Sal forests in Shiwalik region of Kumaun Himalaya. Vegetation analysis and tree canopy density was determined by using quadrat and densitometer, respectively. Density of seedlings, saplings and trees was 490-14067, 37-1233, and 273-863 ind.ha-1 respectively. The basal area was 0.12-5.44 m2 ha-1 reported for saplings and 25.4-77.6 m2 ha-1 for trees. Regeneration of Sal was found good in Sal mixed dense forest followed by Sal open forest and Sal dense forest, respectively. Regeneration of Sal was assisted by the presence of associated tree species as well as the sufficient sunlight availability on ground due to adequate opening of canopy trees in Sal forest. Thus it is concluded that the density of tree canopy, sunlight availability and also associated tree species impacted the regeneration of Sal in the region.

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Forest Structure, Composition and Above Ground Biomass of Tree Community in Tropical Dry Forests of Eastern Ghats, India

Notulae Scientia Biologicae ◽

10.15835/nsb819746 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 125-133 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Sudam Charan SAHU ◽

H.S. SURESH ◽

N.H. RAVINDRANATH

Keyword(s):

Forest Structure ◽

Tree Species ◽

Basal Area ◽

Eastern Ghats ◽

Tropical Dry Forests ◽

Above Ground Biomass ◽

Importance Value ◽

Shorea Robusta ◽

Ground Biomass ◽

C Stocks

The study of biomass, structure and composition of tropical forests implies also the investigation of forest productivity, protection of biodiversity and removal of CO2 from the atmosphere via C-stocks. The hereby study aimed at understanding the forest structure, composition and above ground biomass (AGB) of tropical dry deciduous forests of Eastern Ghats, India, where as a total of 128 sample plots (20 x 20 meters) were laid. The study showed the presence of 71 tree species belonging to 57 genera and 30 families. Dominant tree species was Shorea robusta with an importance value index (IVI) of 40.72, while Combretaceae had the highest family importance value (FIV) of 39.01. Mean stand density was 479 trees ha-1 and a basal area of 15.20 m2 ha-1. Shannon’s diversity index was 2.01 ± 0.22 and Simpson’s index was 0.85 ± 0.03. About 54% individuals were in the size between 10 and 20 cm DBH, indicating growing forests. Mean above ground biomass value was 98.87 ± 68.8 Mg ha-1. Some of the dominant species that contributed to above ground biomass were Shorea robusta (17.2%), Madhuca indica (7.9%), Mangifera indica (6.9%), Terminalia alata (6.9%) and Diospyros melanoxylon (4.4%), warranting extra efforts for their conservation. The results suggested that C-stocks of tropical dry forests can be enhanced by in-situ conserving the high C-density species and also by selecting these species for afforestation and stand improvement programs. Correlations were computed to understand the relationship between above ground biomass, diversity indices, density and basal area, which may be helpful for implementation of REDD+ (reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, and foster conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks) scheme.

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Stand Structure, Productivity and Carbon Sequestration Potential of Oak Dominated Forests in Kumaun Himalaya

Current World Environment ◽

10.12944/cwe.11.2.15 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 466-476

Author(s):

Bijendra Lal ◽

L.S. Lodhiyal

Keyword(s):

Carbon Sequestration ◽

Primary Productivity ◽

Tree Species ◽

Stand Structure ◽

Basal Area ◽

Forest Site ◽

Forest Sites ◽

Sequestration Potential ◽

Oak Tree ◽

Quercus Leucotrichophora

Present study deals with stand structure, biomass, productivity and carbon sequestration in oak dominated forests mixed with other broad leaved tree species. The sites of studied forests were located in Nainital region between 29058’ N lat. and 79028’ E long at 1500-2150 m elevation. Tree density of forests ranged from 980-1100 ind.ha-1. Of this, oak trees shared 69-97%. The basal area of trees was 31.81 to 63.93 m2 ha-1. R. arboreum and Q. floribunda shared maximum basal area 16.45 and 16.32 m2 ha-1, respectively in forest site-1 and 2 while Quercus leucotrichophora shared maximum (35.69 m2 ha-1) in site-3. The biomass and primary productivity of tree species ranged from 481-569 t ha-1 and 16.9-20.9 t ha-1yr-1, respectively. Of this, biomass and primary productivity of oak tree species accounted for 81 to 95 and 78 to 98%, respectively. Carbon stock and carbon sequestration ranged from 228 to 270 t ha-1 and 8.0 to 9.9 t ha-1yr-1, respectively. The share of oak tree species ranged from 81 to 94.7 and 79 to 97%, respectively. The diversity of tree species ranged from 0.03 to 0.16 in forest sites-1, 2 and 3. The diversity of oak species was 0.08-0.16 in all the forest sites. Thus it is concluded that among the oak tree species, Quercus floribunda and Quercus leucotrichophora were highly dominated in the studied forests. The climax form of oak dominated trees in the studied forest sites depicted slightly lower richness and diversity of tree species compared to the forests in the region and elsewhere. As far as dry matter and carbon of forests is concerned, these estimates are close to the earlier reports of forests in the region. Therefore, studied forests have the potential to increase the diversity, productivity and carbon sequestration of forest tree species by providing the adequate scientific conservation and management inputs.

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Thinning Response and Potential Basal Area in a Mixed Sub-humid Low-elevation Oak-Hornbeam Forest

10.21203/rs.3.rs-698917/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mathias Neumann ◽

Hubert Hasenauer

Keyword(s):

Stand Structure ◽

Basal Area ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Diameter Distribution ◽

Stem Density ◽

Growing Stock ◽

A Site ◽

Water Nutrients ◽

Related Mortality

Abstract Competition for resources (light, water, nutrients, etc.) limits the size and abundance of alive trees a site can support. This carrying capacity determines the potential carbon sequestration in alive trees as well as the maximum growing stock. Lower stocking through thinning can change growth and mortality. We were interested in the relations between stand structure, increment and mortality using a long-unmanaged oak-hornbeam forest near Vienna, Austria, as case study. We expected lower increment for heavy thinned compared to unmanaged stands. We tested the thinning response using three permanent growth plots, whereas two were thinned (50% and 70% basal area removed) and one remained unmanaged. We calculated stand structure (basal area, stem density, diameter distribution) and increment and mortality of single trees. The heavy thinned stand had over ten years similar increment as the moderate thinned and unthinned stands. Basal area of the unthinned stand remained constant and stem density decreased due to competition-related mortality. The studied oak-hornbeam stands responded well even to late and heavy thinning suggesting a broad “plateau” of stocking and increment for these forest types. Lower stem density for thinned stands lead to much larger tree increment of single trees, compared to the unthinned reference. The findings of this study need verification for other soil and climatic conditions.

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