Ecological Assessment of Vegetation in JFM Adopted Village -Forests in Satpura Plateau, Madhya Pradesh

Abstract

Vegetation was analyzed quantitatively in nine village forests in Madhya Pradesh viz., Ankhabadi (Site-I) Moyakui (II), Amajhiri (III), Ataria (IV), Gratea (V), Gangai (VI), Akalma (VII), Churasajwa (VIII) and Bheda (IX) of East Chhindwara Forest Division (Madhya Pradesh). These forests are managed under Joint Forest Management Programme. Sites V and III were highly and least disturbed sites in the past. Current disturbances were higher at sites-VIII, II, I and lower at sites III and IX. Current disturbances are positively related with adult tree density. Total density for tree layer ranged between 46.93 (V) to 387.5 (IX) tree ha^-1; 156 (VIII) to 714.95 (IV) for shrubs and 15905 (VIII) to 102078 (IX) plant ha^-1for herb layer, whereas, the range for dominance (cm² ha^-1) was 9570 (VI) to 217333(1) for trees; 2912(11) to 32462(VI) for shrubs and 1304 (VIII) to 218468 (VII) for herbs. Shannon-Weiner diversity index ranged between 1.19(VIII) to 1.98(V) for trees; 1.19 (VIII) to 1.89 (IV) for shrubs and lAO (I) to 2.24 (III) for herbs. Highest tree diversity was recorded at highly disturbed site (V). Sites V and IX were more similar sites, whereas, sites I and VIII were most dissimilar sites. Concentration of dominance showed reverse trend to diversity index. Present and past disturbances adversely affect the regeneration and composition of different tree species at different sites.