Effect of micro climate on the natural regeneration of principal species in certain tropical moist deciduous forests of India
1999
Singhal, R.M. | Pant, S.P. | Dabral, B.G. | Kumar, P. (Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, Dehra, Dun (India))
In India, Shorea robusta is ranked as a timber species of high quality suitable as poles and in building frames, etc. Natural regeneration of this species in certain tropical moist deciduous forests of Doon Valley (29 deg 50'40": 30 deg 24'00" N: 77 deg 34'100": 78 deg 18'30" E) in India has been inviting considerable attention of foresters and environmentalists over the years. The problem of deficient and at certain places, total absence of natural regeneration of this principal species, has assumed such an alarming state that one is prone to apprehend whether the sal forest is at all climax vegetation for this region. Despite a very long search for over five to six decades, no satisfactory results have been found toward inducing successful natural regeneration. Although recruitment comes easily and profusely, difficulty lies in the establishment of seedlings. From time to time, a number of silvicultural practices have been suggested aiming at ameliorating the microclimate of the sand for attaining better regeneration status. However, these recommendations have been more in qualitative terms than quantitative, not specifying the exact microclimatic parameters responsible for regeneration within the forest. The relationship between radiant energy, air and soil temperatures received upon the forest floor and regeneration status in terms of mortality of seedlings was therefore studied. The present study deals with the direct and indirect influence of these microclimatic factors which affect regeneration status of this species under different aspects and topography. It was found that mortality was significantly more pronounced in South West aspects. The study brings out some interesting relationship between microclimate parameters and shooting behaviour of S. robusta which were not sufficiently known earlier hitherto and may contribute toward furthering the knowledge on these aspects
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