Impact of Fire on Plant Diversity, Regeneration, and Carbon Stock in Community Forests at Lamahi, Dang, Nepal
Date
2023-08-14
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Amrit Campus
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of fire on plant species diversity, biomass, and regeneration
at Bakena and Sundabari Community Forests, Lamahi, Dang, Nepal. Altogether 30 quadrats that
experienced burnt (Sundabari CF) and 30 quadrats that were not exposed to fire (Bakena CF) were laid
for the study. A total of 69 plant species, under 32 families, were recorded in this study from
the unburnt Bakena Community forest (BCF), whereas 52 plant species, under 27 families were
recorded from burnt Sundabari Community forest (SCF). Among these recorded species, 35
species were herbs, 20 species were trees and 14 species were shrubs in the unburnt forest
(BCF), whereas in SCF that experienced fire every year had 22 species of herbs, 16 species of
shrubs, and 14 species of trees. Tree species like Bombax ceiba, Ficus benjamina, Ficus
racemosa, Madhuca longifolia, Mallotus philippenis, Phyllanthu emblica, etc were not
recorded in the SCF that were having a fire every year. Similarly, the shrubs like Jasmine sp.
Senna occidental, Smilax sp. and Thysanolaena latifolia and herbs like Acmella paniculata,
Acorus sp., Ageratum houstonianum, Anaphalis sp., Asplenium sp., etc were not recorded from
the SCF (burnt forest). Some of the shrubs and herbs recorded in burnt forest (BF) but absent
at unburnt forest (UBF) were Asparagus racemosa, Dioscorea deltoidea, Phyllanthus sp.,
Nyctanthes arbor-tristis, Adiantum sp., Digitaria sanguinalis, Eulaliopsis binate, Galinsoga
sp., etc. The Shannon Weiner diversity index and Simpson diversity index were higher in the
non-fire forest (BCF). In the present study, the total density of seedlings, saplings, and trees of
all species in UBF were 474.167, 694.167, and 559.167 individuals/ha, respectively whereas
in BF seedlings, saplings, and trees were found to be 552.5, 565.83, and 341.667 individuals/ha,
respectively. The density of seedlings of Shorea robusta, saplings of Melia azedarach, and trees
of Acacia catechu, were found to be higher than other species in BCF i.e unburnt forest. But at
SCF, that experience fire every year had the higher density of Acacia catechu seedlings,
saplings, and trees than other species. Total Carbon stock in UBF was much higher than at the
BF. The total carbon stock in trees of UBF and BF was calculated to be 123.690 t/ha, and
23.133 t/ha respectively. Shorea robusta had the highest biomass in both above and below
ground in both forests i.e 72.293 t/ha in above ground and 14.459 t/ha in below ground in NFF
(BCF) and 20.439 t/ha above ground and 4.088 t/ha below ground in FF (SCF). Soil organic
carbon decreased after a fire. The % of mineralizable N, available P, and extractable K
decreased at FF (i.e SCF) but the bulk density increased at the FF (at SCF).
Description
Keywords
Burn forest, Unburnt forest, Shorea robusta, Lagesteroemia parvifolia