Studying the Effect of Controlled Burning on Invasive Plant Dominant Communities in Lower Altitude Chirpine Forests in Sirmaur District, Himachal Pradesh

Author: Ranjeet Kumar

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Abstract

The invasive alien plant species are changing composition and structure of vegetation leading to homogenization of flora. The biodiversity in chirpine forest in Himachal Pradesh is under threat due to increasing population of invasive alien plant species. The present papers deals with studying the impact of controlled burning on ground flora in chirpine forest. A study was conducted at three sites i.e. Dhon in Nahan Forest Division, Samon Kanon in Paonta Forest Division and Sarlimanpur in Renuka Ji Forest Division. The study site Dhon was dominated by Ageratum conyzoides and Samon Kanon by Agerentina adenophora. The study site Sarlimanpur was not dominated by these invasive alien plant species. The controlled burning was conducted in last week of February, 2017 in 1.50 hectare (B) in three sites with 0.50 hectare area kept control (C). The observation on phytosociological aspects for ground flora was taken in November, 2017. Total numbers of 34 species was recorded in control (C) and 3

Keywords

Chirpine forests, Controlled burning, Invasive Alien species, Phytosociology

Conclusion

The controlled burning increased the density and diversity in invasive as well as non-invasive herbaceous dominant communities. The impact of controlled burning on abundance and frequency (%) did not show clear cut trend.

References

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How to cite this article

Kumar, R. (2021). Studying the Effect of Controlled Burning on Invasive Plant Dominant Communities in Lower Altitude Chirpine Forests in Sirmaur District, Himachal Pradesh. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 13(1): 312-323.