DefinePK

Abstract

Floral diversity and Chir Pine (Pinus roxburghii) regeneration and growth status in burned and unburned areas were compared to quantify the impacts of fire on sub-tropical Chir pine forest type. The overall results of the study show that forest fires have adverse effects on plant diversity and Chir Pine regeneration and growth. Significant differences were observed in species diversity and evenness while comparing burned and unburned areas vegetations. The resultant values of diversity and evenness indices for tree and shrub species are high in unburned forest areas as compared to the burned forestland. While value of diversity index for herbaceous species is high in fire affected forest areas than unburned forestland whereas evenness index is high in unburned forest areas. Chir pine natural regeneration and growth in the two forestlands were also better in unburned areas as compared to burned. Total numbers of seedlings, saplings and pole regeneration were 759 and 897 in fire affected and unaffected plots respectively. Also the resultant values of trees diameter and height growth in both areas show that total increment gained by burnt trees in last ten years was less than total increment gained by unaffected trees.
Keywords: Pinus roxburghii; Species diversity; Chir pine regeneration
http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2016.50013