Herbaceous diversity and biomass under different fire regimes in a seasonally dry forest ecosystem

Abstract

The present work deals with the impact of forest fire over herb community along with changes in soil micronutrient status and C (carbon) storage. The present investigation was carried out in Bhoramdeo wildlife sanctuary, India. The entire area was divided into four distinct sites, i.e., no fire, low fire, medium fire (MFZ) and high fire zones depending upon geo-referenced data and ground truth verification. Quantification of the herb was done within 1 ha grid plots by laying random quadrats of 50 × 50 cm. Soil sampling was done at 0–10 cm and 10–20 cm depths. The micronutrient status of the soil was analysed through atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Most studies focuses on forest land degradation through depletion of soil macronutrient status under fire incidence. The present work involves a new approach to evaluate the impact of different fire regimes on herb community along with changes in soil micronutrient status. MFZ reported highest species, families, density, biomass and C storage. Zn (zinc), Mn (manganese), S (sulphur), nitrate N (nitrogen) and ammonical N level decreased with the gradual increment of the soil depth from 0 to 20 cm under various fire regimes. Cu (copper) level increased with the gradual increase in the soil depth from 0 to 20 cm under various fire regimes. C stock and biomass varied significantly in different fire regimes. Species such as Cassia tora, Cynodon dactylon, Eragrostis tenella and Setaria glauca recorded high C storage under MFZ and represented their higher presence and regeneration.