Dispersion Pattern of Native Species in Sal Forests of Chhotanagpur Plateau, India

Abstract

Changes in the dispersion pattern of native tree species were studied in Sal forests of Chhotanagpur plateau by selecting 1 hectare (ha) plot at four sites, located 2 to 10 km apart from each other. Each plot was divided into 100 quadrats each of 10 m x 10 m in size. For each 10 m x 10 m quadrat, the number of species and density of adult trees (>30 cm circumference at breast height: 1.37 m) were measured and identified. The range of uniform dispersion (77-89%) was greater than clumped dispersion (6-19%) and random dispersion (4-8%) in all four sites. About 78% of the plant species were characterised by uniform dispersion indicating dominant ecological reaction (i.e. dispersion behaviour) in response to alterations in the habitat conditions. A greater part of quadrats had 1-3 species and 1-4, 5-8 and 9-12 individuals indicating a patchy habitat with poor species richness and density at each site, a characteristic of the highly disturbed Sal forests.