Comparing tree diversity and population structure between a traditional agroforestry system and natural forests of Barak valley, Northeast India

Abstract

We studied population structure, composition and diversity in a traditional Indian agroforestry system, called paan jhum, in comparison to natural forests of the Barak valley, Assam, northeast India. The phytosociological data from these forests were analysed quantitatively, to determine species richness, diversity, importance value, stand density and the basal area. The analysis showed that species richness and diversity were higher in paan jhum than in natural forests, in all three study sites. A total of 47, 37 and 48 tree species were recorded in paan jhum, compared with 35, 32 and 42 species in natural forests of the three study sites, respectively. Paan jhum had higher stand density (790, 934 and 763) and basal area (74.05, 41.60 and 55.88 m2 ha−1), whereas natural forests had lower stand density (775, 865 and 522) and basal area (68.75, 40.50 and 48.04 m2 ha−1) in all the study sites, respectively. An F-test showed significant differences in the variance in species richness, basal area and the stand density at 95% confidence level in the two forest categories. Paan jhum might become a component of a forested landscape that is valued for contributing to resource production, other ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation.