Effect of Forest Fire on Tree Species Diversity in the Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest of Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh, Central India

Abstract

A study was conducted to analyze the tree species composition and diversity in the Central Indian dry deciduous forest of Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh. The objective of the current study was to understand the impact of forest fire on the tree species diversity in the Central Indian tropical dry deciduous forest. Identification of fire-affected areas was done based on satellite remote sensing data of Landsat 5,7 and 8 satellite images, and different fire zones were classified in the study area into five fire frequency classes i.e., F1 to F4 and one unburned class i.e., F0. Five plots were laid within each fire class including the unburned class. A total of 3128 trees belonging to 49 plant species, 39 genera, and 14 families were recorded in all the fire frequency classes. Tectona grandis is the dominant tree species in the unburned, low fire, moderate fire, and in high fire zones where Terminalia tomentosa dominated in the severe burn areas. The results show that with the increased in fire frequency the tree species diversity, basal area and IVI increased from low, medium and high fire zones. However, these parameters decreased and again increased in the severe fire zones. The results of different indices indicate that tree diversity fluctuates with the increase in fire frequency.