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Proceedings of the International Academy of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, 2015, 5(3): 104-127
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Article

Cachar tropical semi-evergreen forest type of Northeast India: status of species diversity, distribution and population structure

Koushik Majumdar, B. K. Datta
Plant Taxonomy and Biodiversity Laboratory, Department of Botany, Tripura University, Suryamaninagar- 799022 Tripura, India

Received 27 April 2015;Accepted 15 June 2015;Published online 1 September 2015
IAEES

Abstract
Conservation of threatened species in most cases is difficult because of incomplete knowledge about their actual distribution, population and habitat ecology. Quantitative vegetation inventory was applied to analyse phytosociological structure of Cachar tropical semi-evergreen forest type in Northeast India, which is consider as a rare forest sub-type. Total 9, 500 by 10m (0.5 ha) sized line transects were laid in Tripura. Overall 3,391 individuals of woody species were measured in 4.5 ha analysis, which represented total 167 species. Out of 167 species, 138 species were tree, 14 were shrubs, 10 woody climbers, 3 bamboos and 2 palm species. Again, taxonomically out of 167 species only 6 species was monocot; deciduous and evergreen ratio was 98: 69. Further, out of 167 species 95 species showed aggregated distribution than 72 random distributions. Stem density was ranged 566-964 ha-1, basal area 19.22-52.82 m2ha-1; but most species listed with very low Important Value Index (IVI), where 51 species identified as very rare (<2 individuals). Overall density was declined linearly (r2adj=0.62; p>0.05) from predominant to very rare population group (r2adj is adjusted correlation co-efficient). Stem density-girth relation was significantly quadratic and showed highest coefficient value for sapling (r2adj=0.99; p<0.05) than adult density (r2adj=0.96; p<0.001); however, stem density was declined across the height classes (r2adj=0.56; p<0.05). Present findings demonstrate the high conservation value of this habitat, as umbrella species (Dipterocarpus turbinatus) was red listed as critically endangered by International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) with 13 globally threatened plants. Present analysis offers easy scope for effective habitat management and strategies for species conservation and restoration through ecological niche modeling tool.

Keywords semi-evergreen forest;diversity and structure;population inventory;keystone and singleton taxa;species conservation.


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