Species Diversity, Phytosociological Attributes and Regeneration Status of Pench Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra, India

Aims: Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) is known for its rich biodiversity comprising of tropical deciduous forests as their primary forest type. Tropical deciduous forests are enriched with economically important species. They serve as habitat areas for most of the wild animals for their food and shelter. So, a phytosociological investigation was carried out in PTR to know the information on plant cover dynamics related to human activity, climate change, and all other factors affecting plant development.

Place and Duration of Study: Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR), June 2021 to December 2022.

Methodology: The study was carried out by laying out 47 sample plots in the PTR by dividing Tiger Reserve into 7 ranges. The plot size was 0.1 ha with 31.62 m x 31.62 m quadrats. Varied diversity indices such as Simpson, Shannon–Weiner, species evenness, and IVI were calculated according to standard formulae. Carbon stock, vegetation analysis and IVI value of each species were calculated and analysed.

Results: A total of 102 species, comprising 90 genera and 44 families, were reported. The dominant family in the study area was Leguminosae, followed by Malvaceae and Poaceae. The Shannon–Weiner index was 2.92 and the Simpson index was 0.103, indicating moderate diversity with less dominance of trees, saplings, and herb layer in the area. Top five species holding highest IVI value are Tectona grandis (66.20), Lagerstroemia parviflora (20.44), Chloroxylon swietenia (19.91), Lannea coromandelica (18.35), and Terminalia tomentosa (16.62).

Conclusions: As a part of long–term monitoring programme for the tree communities in the Pench Tiger Reserve, the current study has generated baseline data that will be used to evaluate the current ecological effects of ongoing and future climate change.