Woody Plant Diversity of Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest of Ranchi, Jharkhand

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the composition and diversity of three different growth stages of plant in tropical dry deciduous forest in Horhap under Mahilong Range, Ranchi during the year 2018- 2019. The entire area was divided into two sites based upon the physiographic factors. The simple random sampling procedure was followed with quadrates of 10×10 m2 for trees and saplings and 2×2 m2 quadrates for seedlings were taken. A total of 1430–1810 stems ha-1 in trees, 1080–1240 stems ha-1 in saplings and 45500–56500 stems ha-1 in seedlings were encountered. The total basal area was varied between 35.97 to 48.01 m2 ha-1 for trees, 4.67 to 5.42 m2 ha-1 for saplings and 3.78– 3.88 m2 ha-1 for seedlings. Shorea robusta showed highest value of IVI in tree sapling and seedling layers. Shannon index ranged from 2.43–2.97 for trees, 3.07–3.08 for saplings and 2.21–2.26 for seedlings. The concentration of dominance was 0.24–0.33 for trees, 0.19–0.21 for saplings and 0.37–0.4 for seedlings. Equitability ranged from 0.92–0.99 for trees, 1.0 for saplings and 0.84–0.86 for seedlings. Species richness ranged from 1.79–2.53 for trees, 2.11–2.43 for saplings and 1.19–1.21 for seedlings. However there is a need for ideal silvicultural operations and scientific approach-based management practice to retain the diversity ultimately a healthy forest ecosystem.