Current World Environment

Introduction

About one half of the existing forests are found in world’s tropical regions, in which about 42% classed as dry forest.¹ Dry forests are closely linked to human life hence they are relatively highly utilized and are threatened.² Research on dry forests have been limited and are less protected compared to moist forests.³ Perhaps, dry forests are more threatened among all forests, need immediate attention. Baseline information such as density, species richness, basal area and aboveground biomass storage are important to frame conservation measures and protect from further degradation and loss.⁴ Soil moisture content acts as one of the determining factors, affecting plant species diversity and dispersion in dry forests.^{5, 6} In addition, plants of dry forests are largely subjected to water stress during dry period of the year.^{7, 8} Dry forests tends to have moderate to high plant species richness and diversity. ^9-11

Globally, forests hold a significant amount of above (80%) and belowground (40%) terrestrial carbon.¹² Atmospheric CO₂ concentration is closely linked with earth’s biomass C stockpile. Forest degradation and habitat destruction contributes to global climate change. Besides, global warming influences a range of factors in ecosystem functioning.^{13, 14} Information on aboveground biomass stockpile of unexplored tropical dry forests are highly important to determine the role they play in the abatement of climate change.¹⁵ In addition, global dry forests have the ability to store a significant amount of carbon in vegetation.¹⁶ Quantitative ecological information such as density and aboveground biomass stockpile of trees has been very limited for dry forests of Tamil Nadu. The current study was planned to assess density, aboveground biomass stockpile and species richness of trees in Vallanadu blackbuck sanctuary located at Tuticorin district, Peninsular India.

Materials and Methods

Study Area

The Vallanadu Blackbuck Sanctuary located in Tuticorin district of Tamil Nadu, one of the southern states of India (Figure 1). The forest type of study region regarded as Southern Thorn Forests (STFs) (6A/DSI), covers an area of 1641 ha.¹⁷ Geographical coordination of study area lies between 80º39’45” and 80 44’00” Northern latitude, and 77º54’ 45” to 77º 57’10’’ Eastern longitude. Annual rainfall of study area is 75.8 cm. The northeast monsoon is important, the study area receives most part of the annual rainfall during October-December. The study area experiences six to nine months of dry season. Annual mean low and high temperature of study area are 23 ºC and 29 ºC. Plants of STFs adapted for drought and survive under the dry environment. Additionally, trees are leafless during the dry period. Trees have smaller and thick wax coated leaves to avoid moisture loss through transpiration. Thorny plants such as various species of Acacia, Dichrostachys cinerea, Commiphora berryi and Ziziphus nummularia, Z. mauritiana and Z. xylopyrs are characteristics of STFs. The sanctuary is one of the homes for threatened mammalian species Antilope cervicarpa L., commonly known as Black buck. Further, the sanctuary also endowed with considerable number of mammals and birds.¹⁸

Figure 1: Map of Study Area Wherein Quantitative Study Conducted for Estimation of Aboveground Biomass Stockpile of Trees. Click here to view Figure

Field Survey

One hundred square plots, each 10m × 10m (100 m² each, total 1 ha) laid randomly across Vallanadu Black buck sanctuary. All living trees ≥5 cm DBH measured at 137 cm above the ground. Diameter (cm) of all recorded trees noted. All the species identified with the help of regional floras.^{19, 20} The cross sectional area of tree at 137 cm above the ground defined as basal area. The BA of trees estimated through the following formula. BA = π*(DBH/2)². The height of trees ranged from 3 to 6 m, hence it was measured with a graduated pole. Wood density of trees estimated as explained in Chave et al.²¹. A widely used allometric formula provided by Chave et al.²² was utilized for the estimation of aboveground biomass of trees in study area as follows: AGB_Dry = 0.0559*(ρD²H); where AGB_Dry is dry aboveground biomass of tree (kg); 0.0559 is constant; ρ is tree wood density (g/cm³); D is DBH (cm); and H is tree height (m). The allometric formula is applicable for trees pan tropically, with DBH between 5 to 156 cm, and not applicable for palms.

Results

Density and Species Richness

A total number of 1335 trees ≥5cm DBH were recorded from one ha area of STF. Density of represented species varied significantly in study area. Commiphora berryi dominated the STF with 334 (25.02%) individuals followed by Acacia planifrons (261, 19.55%), Dichrostachys cinerea (225, 16.85%) and Acacia mellifera (165, 12.36%), while Bauhinia racemosa, Gmelina arborea and Lannea coromandelica were represented by just single individual each. Likewise, contribution of families to total stand density also differed considerably. The family Mimosaceae constituted 52.36% (699 trees) of tree community followed by Burseraceae (25.019%, 334) and Papilionaceae (7.49%, 100), while rest of eight families constituted 15.131% in STF (Table 1).

Table 1: Tree Species, Family and Density (Number of Individuals) Recorded in Southern Thorn Forest, Vallanadu, Tuticorin.

Among eight diameter classes, the smallest diameter class 5-8 cm DBH represented by large number of individuals (341 individuals) followed by 11.1-14 (279), 8.1-11 (241), 14.1-17 (215), ≥26 (96), 23.1-26 (89), 17.1-20 (70) and  20.1-23 (4).

The study found 18 species from 14 genera and 11 families in the study area. The family Mimosaceae (= sub family Mimosideae) had seven species followed by Rhamnaceae (2 species), while 9 families Anacardiaceae, Bignoniaceae, Burseraceae, Ceasalipiniaceae, Meliaceae, Papilionaceae, Rubiaceae, Tiliaceae and Verbenaceae had just single species’ each in STF (Table 1).

Tree Stand Basal Area

The total BA recorded as 22.046 m² ha^-1. Contribution of BA by species to total stand BA differed significantly. Commiphora berryi had maximum BA (11.748 m² ha^-1) subsequently, Acacia planifrons (4.682 m² ha^-1), Dichrostachys cinerea (1.884 m² ha^-1) and A. mellifera (1.412 m² ha^-1) in STF. Fourteen species had <0.5 m² BA ha^-1 (0.01 to 0.474). As with families, Burseraceae, Mimosaceae and Bignoniaceae had higher BA 11.748, 8.918 and 0.338 m² BA ha^-1, respectively. All other families jointly had 1.042 m² BA ha^-1 (Table 2).

Table 2: Species, Density, Basal Area and Aboveground Biomass Stock of Trees in Thorn Forest of Vallanadu Blackbuck Sanctuary, Tuticorin, Peninsular India.

The diameter class ≥26 cm DBH constituted a larger BA (5.648 m² ha^-1; 25%) afterwards 23.1-26 cm and 14.1-17 cm hold relatively higher BA 4.323 (19%) and 3.944 (18%) m² ha^-1, respectively in study area. While, the diameter class 20.1-23 cm DBH hold just 0.144 m² ha^-1 BA (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Contribution of Diameter Classes to Total Forests Stands’ Basal Area in Vallanadu Black Buck Sanctuary. Legend Order: DBH Class (cm), BA (m2 ha-1) and Contribution of DBH Classes to Total BA (per cent).  Click here to view Figure

Wood Density

The mean wood density (WD) of trees in STF recorded as 0.70±0.093 g cm^-3. The wood density varied across species, Dichrostachys cinerea found as heavy wooded (0.98±0.04 g cm^-3) followed by Acacia leucophloea and Azadirachta indca (each had 0.78 g cm^-3) in STF. The dominant species Commiphora berryi had a least WD (0.54±0.04 g cm^-3) in our study area (Table 3).

Table 3: Wood Density of Trees Recorded from Vallanadu Blackbuck Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu.

Aboveground Biomass Stockpile

In total, 50.065 Mg aboveground biomass (AGB) present in one ha area of STF. Contribution of species to total AGB varied significantly. Commiphora berryi stocked 45.13% (22.588 Mg ha^-1) of AGB followed by A. planifrons (23.31%, 11.669 Mg ha^-1), and A. mellifera (7.233%, 3.621 Mg ha^-1), whereas remaining 15 species collectively stocked 24.327% (12.187 Mg ha^-1) AGB in STF. With seven species, the family Mimosaceae stocked a highest amount of AGB (48.24%, 24.150 Mg ha^-1) followed by Burseraceae (45.12%, 22.588 Mg ha^-1) and Bignoniaceae (1.44%, 0.723 Mg ha^-1), while remaining eight families cumulatively stocked 5.2% (2.603 Mg ha^-1) in STF. Of eight diameter classes, the largest diameter class ≥26 cm DBH stocked a highest amount of AGB 10.859 Mg ha^-1 followed by 14.1-17cm (9.508 Mg ha^-1) and 11.1-14 cm (9.098 Mg ha^-1), but 20.1-23 cm DBH class stocked just 0.354 Mg ha^-1 in STF, (Figure 3).

Figure 3: Aboveground Biomass Stockpile of Diameter Classes in Study Area. Click here to view Figure

Discussion

Density

Density of trees in STF (1335 individuals ha^-1) is comparable with dry deciduous forests of Madhya Pradesh (range, 690-2500 individuals ha^-1)²³, and tropical dry evergreen forests of Tamil Nadu (range, 432-1341 individuals ha^-1).²⁴ Tree density of STF is higher compared to tropical dry forests of Eastern Ghats (479 individuals ha^-1),²⁵ dry forest of Bannerghatta National Park (994)²⁶, dry forest of Andhra Pradesh (510-648),²⁷ dry forests of Southern Western Ghats (350-1120),²⁸ dry deciduous forests of Andhra Pradesh (395-573),²⁹ Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu (292),³⁰ tropical forests of Garo hills, north-eastern India (570-846),³¹ semi-arid forest of Delhi (633-684),³². The forest is low statured, height of trees varied from 3-7 m. The STF in Vallanadu Black buck sanctuary has been protected legally (Department of Forest, Government of Tamil Nadu) hence cutting of trees for fuel wood and poaching are banned. The bird community of STF depend upon the fleshy fruits of dominant tree species, Commiphora berryi. Woody plants of STF produces fruits close to wet season. These are the probable reasons behind the higher density of trees in STF.

Species Richness

Tree species richness (18 species ha^-1) of STF is higher than in dry forests of Chhattishgarh (5-9 species ha^-1)³³ Madhya Pradesh (2-14)²³ and Mandla (12-14)³⁴. Tree species richness of STF is comparable with dry forests of Tamil Nadu. Tiwari and Ravikumar³⁵ found 17 species in Carnatic Umbrella Thorn forest, 20 in dry bamboo brake, 17 in Hardwickia forest, 13 in riverine and 14 in Southern dry scrub forest occurring within Hosur district forest division, Tamil Nadu. Conversely, species richness of STF is lower compared to dry forests of Nagapattinam (21-25 species ha^-1),³⁶ Tiruvarur (26-34),³⁶ Cuddalore (28-31)^37-39, Pudukottai (28-35)⁴⁰ and Mudumalai (64)⁴¹ in Tamil Nadu state and parts of India such as Biligirirangan hills (69-72)⁴², Uttar Pradesh (70)⁴³, Karnataka (46)⁴⁴ and Andhra Pradesh (31-55).⁴⁵

Basal Area

Tree stands’ basal area i.e. 22.046 m² ha^-1 in STF is higher than in what have been found in dry forests of Tiruvarur (10.78-14.3 m² ha^-1),³⁶ Villupuram (4.31),⁴⁶ Cuddalore (21.54),^37-39 Vindhyan hills (1.3-13.78),²⁶ and Andhra Pradesh (7.79).⁴⁵ The current study area experiences a less disturbance and protected through stringent rules and regulations by department of forests, Tamil Nadu. In addition, the present study area have large number of trees, thus associated with a relatively higher BA compared to other dry forests. Earlier, it has been found that tree density positively linked with dry tropical forest in northern India.⁴⁷ On the other hand, basal area of STF is lower compared to dry forests of Villupuram (36.5 m² ha^-1),⁴⁶ Mandla (27-55.3),³⁴ Mudumalai (24.7),⁴¹ and Madhya Pradesh (93.53-155.48)²³.

Aboveground Biomass

Aboveground biomass (AGB) stockpile of trees in STF (50.065 Mg ha^-1) is comparable with tropical forests of Pachaimalai, Tamil Nadu (50.6 Mg AGB ha^-1)⁴⁸; dry forests of Andhra Pradesh, India (range, 13.96 to 514.5 Mg ha^-1)²⁵; tropical dry evergreen forests of Tamil Nadu (39.69-170.02 Mg ha^-1).⁴⁹

However, AGB stock of STF is lower than in dry forests of Sivagangai, Tamil Nadu (58.43-102.76 Mg ha^-1)⁵⁰; dry deciduous forests of Tamil Nadu (64.81 to 624.96 Mg ha^-1)⁵¹; dry forest of Javadi hills, Tamil Nadu (99-216 Mg ha^-1)⁵²; dry forests of East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh (58.04-368.39 Mg ha^-1).²⁷ The mean annual rainfall is positively associated with tree density, AGB and species richness in semi-arid forest ecosystems in Gujarat, India.⁵³ The study area have lesser mean annual rainfall, >6 months dry season, short-bole trees and smaller leaves. These are some of the important factors could be behind a relatively lesser AGB stockpile of trees in study area.

Tree species such as, Acacia leucophloea, Albizia amara, Albizia lebbeck, Azadirachta indica, Dichrostachys cinerea, Lannea coromandelica and Prosopis juliflora constituted a considerable amount of AGB in dry forests in Sivagangai, Tamil Nadu.⁵⁰ In general, Southern Thorn Forests are short-statured and endowed with a large number of short bole trees, hence had a larger BA and lesser AGB. For instance, with lesser BA (6.55 to 12.32 m² ha^-1) dry forests of Sivagangai stocked a higher amount of AGB (58.43-102.76 Mg ha^-1).⁵⁰ Besides, dry forests of Eastern Ghats had 98.87 Mg AGB ha^-1 and 15.2 m² BA ha^-1 (mean).⁴⁸

An array of factors affect AGB stockpile of forests. Density, species composition, diversity, height, wood density, age, growth condition, length of growth period, mean annual precipitation and temperature, soil moisture contents and nutrient availability are some of the influencing factors widely determine AGB stockpile of trees in forests. In one meter square of tree basal area moist forest can stores about 100 Mg AGB while dry forests stores less. Aboveground biomass stockpile of a secondary dry forests in northwestern Costa Rica, Brazil varied from 1.7 to 409 Mg ha^-1. Age of the forest determined AGB stockpile in dry forests of Brazil.⁵⁴

Conclusion

The present study area had a large number trees compared to some dry forests within Tamil Nadu and other Indian states. Southern Thorn Forest supports a moderate number of trees species. Aboveground biomass stockpile of trees is within the range recorded in Indian tropical dry forests. The study area experiences lesser mean annual rainfall and >6 months dry season. Further, endowed with short-bole and smaller leaved trees, hence stocked a relatively lesser AGB in trees. This study concentrated on AGB only, further studies to be conducted to estimate total biomass stockpile viz. biomasses of all life forms both above and below ground.

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the DFO of Thoothukudi district for the permission to conduct field work. We express our heartfelt thanks to the Forester, Guards and Watchers of Vallanadu Black buck Sanctuary for their help and support during the field study. Mr. J. Evitex-Izayas, V. Muneeswaran and M. Arun Kumar helped us during the field work.

Funding Sources

The writing of this manuscript was supported by Science and Engineering Research Board, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi, India (No. CRG/2019/003148 dated 05^th February, 2020).

Conflict of Interest

The author(s) declares no conflict of interest.

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