Abstract
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Article Information:
Diversity, Dominance and Population Structure of Tree Species along Fragment-Size Gradient of a Subtropical Humid Forest of Northeast India
O.P. Tripathi, K. Upadhaya, R.S. Tripathi and H.N. Pandey
Corresponding Author: O. P. Tripathi
Submitted: 2009 October, 23
Accepted: 2009 November, 12
Published: 2010 April, 20 |
Abstract:
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The present study was carried out in forest fragments of 1, 2, 5 and >5-ha of a subtropical humid
forest in Meghalaya, northeast India to analyze the impact of fragment size on tree diversity and population
structure and regeneration status of important trees. The intensity of disturbance steadily decreases with
increase in size of the fragment. The study revealed that tree species richness increased from 49 species in 1-ha
fragment to 64 species in >5-ha fragment. Tree species richness was positively related to fragment size, but was
inversely related to the degree of disturbance. Impact of fragment size on density and basal cover did not differ
much between the fragments. D iversity and dominance indices did not varied much along the fragment size
gradient. Out of ten most dominant species, dominance of four species decreased along increasing size gradient
while dominance of remaining species consistently decreased from 1-ha to >5-ha fragments. Overall tree
population structure was pyramid shaped in all the fragments. About 16-25% species showed good regeneration
in all the fragments. Percentage of species showing fair, poor and no regeneration progressively increases with
increase in size of the fragments. Large percentages (44%) of new species were found regenerating in small
fragments compared to large fragments where only 3 new species were regenerating. This revealed that
fragments of smaller area might have given a favourable micro-environmental condition for seedling survival.
Key words: Fragment-size gradient, Northeast India, population structure, regeneration status, subtropical humid forest, tree diversity,
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Cite this Reference:
O.P. Tripathi, K. Upadhaya, R.S. Tripathi and H.N. Pandey, . Diversity, Dominance and Population Structure of Tree Species along Fragment-Size Gradient of a Subtropical Humid Forest of Northeast India. Research Journal of Environmental and Earth Sciences, (2): Page No: 97-105.
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ISSN (Online): 2041-0492
ISSN (Print): 2041-0484 |
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