Abstract
Changes in the dispersion pattern of native tree species were studied in Sal forests of Chhotanagpur plateau by selecting 1 hectare (ha) plot at four sites, located 2 to 10 km apart from each other. Each plot was divided into 100 quadrats each of 10 m x 10 m in size. For each 10 m x 10 m quadrat, the number of species and density of adult trees (>30 cm circumference at breast height: 1.37 m) were measured and identified. The range of uniform dispersion (77-89%) was greater than clumped dispersion (6-19%) and random dispersion (4-8%) in all four sites. About 78% of the plant species were characterised by uniform dispersion indicating dominant ecological reaction (i.e. dispersion behaviour) in response to alterations in the habitat conditions. A greater part of quadrats had 1-3 species and 1-4, 5-8 and 9-12 individuals indicating a patchy habitat with poor species richness and density at each site, a characteristic of the highly disturbed Sal forests.
Highlights
The dispersion pattern of individuals in inhabitants illustrates their spacing correspondingly to each other
Stand density was almost similar for sites: Jiradih (site-I) (290 stems ha-1) and site-II (291 stems ha-1)
The uniform dispersion of local tree species shows conflict to spatial variation in habitat situation. This dispersion activity indicates that the four sites are experiencing similar climatic environments while experiencing diverse microclimate in Sal forests
Summary
The dispersion pattern of individuals in inhabitants illustrates their spacing correspondingly to each other. The altered species and populations of the same species can reveal different dispersion patterns (Mishra and Anshumali, 2014). Dispersion pattern have one of three fundamental patterns: random, uniform (evenly spaced or hyper-dispersed), or clumped (aggregated or contiguous). Species characteristics such as territoriality, social behaviours, dispersal ability, allelochemistry, emigration, immigration etc., change population dispersion patterns in the tropical forests. In accumulation to species characteristics, the dispersion of resources or microhabitats associates population dispersion patterns to the adjoining abiotic environment. The arid tropical forest is 38.2% of the total forest cover in India (MoEF, 1999) which is mostly endangered by lopping, ablaze, overgrazing and clearing for husbandry (Jha and Singh, 1990)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
