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Moumita Sarkar ¹, Ashalata Devi ¹

Affiliations
1 Deptt. of Environmental Science, Tezpur University, Napaam, Tezpur, Dist. Sonitpur Assam, 784028, IN

Abstract

The quantitative analysis of plant diversity of semi evergreen forest of Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary in upper Assam was investigated during 2010-2011 by random plot sampling method. A total of 202 plant species (75 trees, 23 shrubs, 85 herbs including herbaceous climbers, 9 lianas, 3 bamboos, 6 rattans and 1 palm) belonging to 169 genera and 87 families were recorded from the sanctuary. Vatica lanceaefolia Bl., a critically endangered species, emerged as the dominant tree species. The highest plant density and diversity were found in herbaceous species. Shannon-Wiener diversity index (1.93 to 3.81) and Simpson's index (0.05 to 0.17) were within the range reported for different Indian tropical forests which indicated that the sanctuary is a species diverse forest. Plant species diversity and their quantitative features recorded from the present study may provide baseline information for conservation and management strategies of the present forest.

Keywords

Community structure, Conservation, Diversity, Phytosociology, Species.

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Bidyut Sarania ¹, Ashalata Devi ¹, Awadhesh Kumar ², Kai Wang ³, Kaustubh Rakshit ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Environmental Science, Tezpur University, Napaam 784 028, IN
2 Department of Forestry, North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology, Itanagar, Nirjuli 791 109, IN
3 School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University Pullman, Washington 99163, US

Abstract

No Abstract.

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Mrigakhi Borah ¹, Ashalata Devi ¹, Awadhesh Kumar ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Environmental Science, Tezpur University, Napaam, Tezpur 784 028, IN
2 Department of Forestry, North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology, Nirjuli-Itanagar 791 109, IN

Abstract

No Abstract.

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Moumita Sarkar ¹, Ashalata Devi ¹, Monoranjan Nath ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Environmental Science, Tezpur University, Napaam, Tezpur 784 028, IN
2 North Eastern Regional Institute of Water and Land Management, Dolabari, Tezpur 784 027, IN

Abstract

The decomposition of leaf litter of four selected dominant tree species, Vatica lanceaefolia, Artocarpus chaplasha, Lagerstroemia speciosa and Magnolia hookeri was studied during July 2011-June 2012 in a semievergreen forest of Assam, North East India. The weight loss pattern and concentration of N, P and K were evaluated. The annual decomposition constant (k) ranged from 3.23 to 7.8 year^-1 and was positively correlated with rainfall, soil temperature, soil moisture content and total N. Litter quality and initial chemistry affected the rate of decomposition. L. speciosa having highest initial N, decomposed at a relatively faster rate. Rapid weight loss was observed during the monsoon period. The present findings indicate that rapid nutrient cycling is enhanced by fairly high decay rates of the dominant tree species maintaining proper nutrient cycling in this tropical semi-evergreen forest ecosystem.

Keywords

Decomposition, Dominant Tree Species, Leaf Litter, Nutrient Cycling, Semi-Evergreen Forest.

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