Forest structure and anthropogenic pressures in the Pachmarhi biosphere reserve of India

Abstract

A critical first step in establishing biosphere reserves-under the Man and Biosphere Programme of UNESCO-is to generate baseline information for future courses of action. The present study aims to assess the structure and composition of forests-along with anthropogenic pressures mounting on these forests in the buffer zone of one such biosphere reserves-the Pachmarhi biosphere reserve of India. The quadrat method was employed for sampling vegetation, and information on anthropogenic pressures was collected by conducting interviews with local people and forest officials and collecting it from secondary sources. A total of 39 tree species were sampled in 82 quadrats; of these 26 tree species were in standing stage, 25 in sapling, and 35 in seedling. Chloroxylon swietenia emerged as the most dominant tree species having highest importance value index, followed by Tectona grandis, Terminalia tomentosa, and Hardwickia binata. Nine tree species and their saplings, including Sterculia urens and Terminalia arjuna, were exploited so badly that they were only found in the seedlings stage. The unavailability of standing trees of 12 important tree species including Aegle marmelos and Phyllanthus emblica indicates the intensity and gravity of anthropogenic pressures on these important tree species. If the present anthropogenic pressure continues, which has inhibited the regeneration of several tree species, then substantial negative ecological and societal consequences can be expected.

Patterns in Distribution, Population Density and Uses of Medicinal Plants along the Altitudinal Gradient in Dhauladhar Mountain Range of Indian Himalayas

“…Though the forests in the study area have been undergoing numerous anthropogenic pressures, the relatively fair regeneration of some of the tree species along the altitudinal gradient suggests their tolerance to partial biotic pressures and wider ecological amplitude. Similar observations were made by Saikia and Khan 23 for the rain forests of north east India, and deciduous forests of Chhattisgarh 24 and Madhya Pradesh 25 . The disturbance gradient and altitudes influence tree species richness 5 .…”

Traditional Ecological Knowledge of Tribal Communities and Sustainability of Nature and Natural Resources in Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve in India

“…Of the total forest cover, the closed forest constitutes 85.3%, open forest 8.2%, and degraded forest 4.2% [18]. Te most common tree species in the forests are Tectona grandis, Chloroxylon swietenia, and Terminalia tomentosa [19]. Besides rich biological and geographical diversity, the PBR endows with high cultural diversity as it is inhabited by number of tribal and nontribal communities [12].…”

“…Tey are divided into two subgroups (Raj Korku and Patharia Korku) and four territorial groups (Mawasi, Bawaria, Ruma, and Bondoya). In PBR, Bondoya Korku lives in Pachmarhi area and Bawaria in Betul district [19]. Korku, at present, practices agriculture and some of them are engaged in rearing livestock and collection of forest produce.…”

Worldview of Tribal Communities in Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve of India

“…PBR endows with rich biodiversity within two major forest types such as subtropical hill forest and tropical moist deciduous forest [12,13]. PBR is well known for its cultural diversity, as it is inhabited by number of tribal and non-tribal communities.…”