R. K. Manhas , Manish K. Kandwal , Sandeep Dhyani , Lokender Singh , S. P. Joshi

Abstract

The present study was conducted in five communities of a sub-tropical swamp forest of Doon Valley, India. The aim of the present paper is to study the various changes in the community structure as a result of change in seasons and soil moisture regime. In moist communities local species were dominant and as the soil moisture (%) lessened their dominance decreased. Importance Value Index (IVI) of all dominant species of the swamp varied significantly during the study period, indicating that they are noticeably affected by the changes in the moisture regime of the swamp. Various indices of association were calculated to find out species association and the results of these indices shows that all the local species were closely associated. Species richness, Shannon- Wiener diversity index (H'), concentration of dominance (Cd) and beta diversity (β) of the five communities were also calculated. Pearson's correlation was used to find out relationship between soil moisture (%) and diversity indices. The results of the correlation analysis reveal that soil moisture (%) was negatively correlated with species richness and H' and positively related with Cd and β diversity.

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P. S. Chauhan , R. K. Manhas , J. D. S. Negi , Lokender Singh

Abstract

Dominance, diversity and regeneration status of a moist sub-tropical sal forest in Doon valley was investigated. The results of the study reveal that S. robusta, Ardesia solanacea and Oplismenus compositus were the most dominant species in tree, shrub and herb layers respectively. Shrub layer was the most diverse strata, closely followed by the herb strata. Forest of Asarori are becoming more diverse and heterogeneous. Regeneration studies exhibited reverse 'J' shaped curve for sal, which signifies good regeneration. But low conversion rate of seedlings to saplings requires proper management.

Keywords

Diversity, Regeneration States, Shorea robusta, Ardesia solanacea, Oplismenus compositus, Doon Valley

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