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Diversity and Ecology of Soil Algae in Broadleaf Sacred Grove and Pine Forest in East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya


Affiliations
1 Algal Ecology Laboratory, Centre for Advance Studies in Botany, Department of Botany, School of Life Sciences, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya - 793022, India
 

In the present study, soil algal community inhabiting in two different forest types i.e., pine forest and subtropical broadleaf forest (Mawphlang sacred grove) in East Khasi Hills District of Meghalaya have been investigated. Light availability to the forest floor and soil physico-chemical parameters were examined. A total of 124 taxa of soil algae were recorded from both the forests. Members from Chlorophyta, Xanthophyceae, Eustigmatophyceae contributed the most (72%-80%). Mawphlang sacred grove was characterised by more abundance of Cyanobacteria (21%) and less diatoms (2%), while in pine forest diatoms abundance was high (20%) and less Cyanobacteria (13%). Algal species composition differed significantly between the two forest types. Correlation between species diversity with light and soil characteristics indicated that vegetation along with pH, moisture content, organic carbon and nitrogen played important role in determining the composition of algal community.

Keywords

Soil Algae, Sacred Grove, Pine Forest, Moisture Content, Diatoms.
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  • Diversity and Ecology of Soil Algae in Broadleaf Sacred Grove and Pine Forest in East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya

Abstract Views: 246  |  PDF Views: 148

Authors

C. M. Dirborne
Algal Ecology Laboratory, Centre for Advance Studies in Botany, Department of Botany, School of Life Sciences, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya - 793022, India
Papiya Ramanujam
Algal Ecology Laboratory, Centre for Advance Studies in Botany, Department of Botany, School of Life Sciences, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya - 793022, India

Abstract


In the present study, soil algal community inhabiting in two different forest types i.e., pine forest and subtropical broadleaf forest (Mawphlang sacred grove) in East Khasi Hills District of Meghalaya have been investigated. Light availability to the forest floor and soil physico-chemical parameters were examined. A total of 124 taxa of soil algae were recorded from both the forests. Members from Chlorophyta, Xanthophyceae, Eustigmatophyceae contributed the most (72%-80%). Mawphlang sacred grove was characterised by more abundance of Cyanobacteria (21%) and less diatoms (2%), while in pine forest diatoms abundance was high (20%) and less Cyanobacteria (13%). Algal species composition differed significantly between the two forest types. Correlation between species diversity with light and soil characteristics indicated that vegetation along with pH, moisture content, organic carbon and nitrogen played important role in determining the composition of algal community.

Keywords


Soil Algae, Sacred Grove, Pine Forest, Moisture Content, Diatoms.

References