Diversity and distribution of tree species in tropical forests of Northcentral Eastern Ghats, India

Abstract

Abstract. Premavani D, Naidu MT, Kumar OA, Venkaiah M. 2017. Diversity and distribution of tree species in tropical forests of Northcentral Eastern Ghats, India. Asian J For 1: 27-32. Tropical forests are among the most biodiversity rich ecosystems in the world, yet they are understudied. The diversity and stand structure of tree species were studied in three 1-ha sites of tropical deciduous forests in the northcentral Eastern Ghats of India. The phytosociological data from forest sites were analyzed quantitatively to determine the species diversity, richness, basal area and stand density. A total of 1,507 individuals of 104 plant taxa, pertaining to 82 genera under 41 families were enumerated at ?15 cm gbh (girth at breast height) using belt transects (5 m × 1000 m). Tree stand density varied from 371-660 individuals per ha while average basal area ranged from 14.54 – 46.51 m² ha^-1. Shannon-Weiner Index (H') ranged from 0.97-0.98, evenness index ranged from 0.70-0.79 and Margalef richness index ranged from 10.54 – 10.82. The most dominant families were Rubiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Moraceae, and Verbenaceae. Our results suggest further development of forest management and biodiversity conservation in Eastern Ghats region.