Van Panchayats as an Effective Tool in Conserving Biodiversity at Local Level

Vardan Singh Rawat, Yashwant Singh Rawat
DOI: 10.4236/jep.2010.13033                

Abstract

Forest vegetation of a community managed forest was studied along four aspects. Quercus leucotrichophora and Pinus roxburghii was the dominant species on each of the two aspects. Across the aspects the total tree density ranged between 193 to 324.3 ind/ha, sapling density between 119 to 258.6 ind/ha and seedling density from 249.98 to 845 ind/ha. The shrub density varied from 199.99 to 406.32 ind/ha and herb density from 9466.66 to 52483.33 ind/ha. The total basal area varied from 0.06 to 7.15 m2/ha at eastern and north facing aspect for Quercus leucotrichophora and Pinus roxburghii respectively showing that the forest is in young stage. Species diversity value for tree layer varied from 0.21 to 1.23 while concentration of dominance value ranged from 0.56 to 0.94. It was noticed that with an increase in species diversity concentration of dominance value decreases indicating inverse relationship between diversity and dominance.

Keywords

Van Panchayat, Aspect, Diversity, Bhatkholi, Community Managed Forest

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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