K.S. Murali

Biomass estimation equations for tropical deciduous and evergreen forests

In this study, linear and non-linear regression equations were developed to estimate biomass of tropical forests along with estimates of goodness of fit and percentage of errors. Basal area, average height of trees and tree density data from published reports, were used to develop equations to estimate biomass of deciduous and evergreen forests. Basal area and height of trees are found to give high goodness of fit and low percentage of errors for deciduous forests. Generally, the coefficient of determination (r²) was low for evergreen forests, probably due to the presence of trees of different height in different canopies that may have different growth rates. The coefficient of determination was high and estimate of error was low for deciduous forests. Thus, the biomass estimate equations for deciduous forests are precise and therefore useful for field applications.

Joint forest management in India and its ecological impacts

Ecological impact of joint forest management (JFM) in India was assessed using the studies undertaken at national, state and forest division levels. It was found that there are very few studies that have specifically addressed the ecological aspects under JFM. The study noted that there are significant strides made in promoting JFM, but the program still needs to address a lot of inadequacies. Though it is estimated that little over 14 million ha of forests are brought under JFM, covering nearly 50 per cent of the open forests in India, how much of it has developed into good forests is not really known. It also needs to be noted that there are many lacunae in implementation of the program and there are also gaps in policies to promote JFM. The study noted that in four states, i.e. Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal, the recruitment was significant, amounting to 17 per cent of the regenerating individuals. In Karnataka, over 10 per cent of open forest has been brought under JFM, while a lot of wasteland could still be brought under JFM. The JFM plantations are dominated with exotic firewood species and low in timber and non‐timber species, resulting in lower biodiversity. Biomass growth rate was comparatively higher in JFM forests as compared to the national average. Other support activities to JFM indicated that various biomass conservation programs were initiated, installing a substantial number of energy saving and alternate energy devices. However, the study also notes that effectiveness of such support programs is not clearly known in terms of its functioning and biomass saved.

Evaluation studies of Joint Forest Management in India: social and institutional implications

A decade after initiating Joint Forest Management (JFM) in India, many states have conducted evaluations of the JFM program to address weaknesses, if any, during the process of implementation and to adopt strategies to implement the program effectively. The analysis indicates that evaluation was mostly donor driven and therefore only the donor concerns were highlighted in most reports. In this paper, we highlight the major issues raised by the reports reviewed. Tremendous progress has been made in terms of the number of Forest Protection Committees formed (nearly 62,900) since its inception. They cover an area of over 14 million ha. Apart from 53%; open forests that can be brought under JFM, there is a lot of cultivable wasteland that could be potentially included under JFM. Though JFM has been implemented and FPC formed, their functioning is a cause for concern. Various reports indicate that the number of FPCs functioning is very low and if FPCs are to be effective, a lot of effort is needed. Lack of community participation, ineffective leadership, lack of statutory institutional support, and tenurial security are the major concerns that need to be addressed to make JFM effective. Awareness among the community about their roles and responsibilities, and capacity building is another issue that needs strengthening. A lack of proper planning, management of village resources and community involvement in the process of planning are other gaps in of the JFM program. Inadequate participation of forest dependent communities in JFM, such as landless artisans and women, is a drawback in the JFM. Adequate measures to improve their participation and the means to improve their livelihood would give them a reason to help in the cause. However, the implementation of JFM has not achieved these goals to a sufficient degree. On the other hand, the womens credit cooperatives started as a part of JFM, to emancipate women from financial constraints have succeeded, indicating that, given the right environment, JFM still could succeed. The evaluation reports have shown a huge potential for generating employment in the JFM programme, which in turn will reduce seasonal migration of landless labour. However, the income generating activity in JFM has not improved to the expected level, perhaps due to the poor links between produce availability and market channels. Ultimately, JFM has a presence in the country and has spread throughout states at least in some pockets of India. To spread the concept effectively, the Government may want to adopt a strategy that is more efficient and involves less investment, as the external support is declining. Therefore, there is a need to undertake intensive analysis involving all stakeholders, NGOs and academics to develop an implementation strategy and create a proper environment for JFM to be implemented in a meaningful manner.

Community forestry initiatives in Southeast Asia : a review of ecological impacts

Studies in South and Southeast Asia were reviewed to understand the impact of community forestry initiatives in recent times on the ecology, with respect to species richness, biomass enhancement and forest regeneration. The findings from diverse ecological regions of South and Southeast Asia have demonstrated that community forestry has resulted in significant increase in plant diversity and biomass production. In this region, over 25 Mha of degraded forestland and fragile ecosystems have been regenerated to meet the economic and ecological needs of local communities, along with increase in productivity of timber. Various practices of the local community in enhancing regeneration, diversity and productivity have improved the status of forests. This paper suggests adaptive forest management practices in addition to silvicultural practices as a strategy to manage forests in a people friendly way.

Forest protection and regeneration under joint forest planning and management in Eastern Plains and Western Ghats of Karnataka, India

Joint forest management in Karnataka, India was initiated in the Western Ghats and Eastern Plains. In Western Ghats, multispecies model was adopted, while in Eastern Plains 13 silvicultural models were adopted, of which assisted natural regeneration accounted for 43% of the plantation area that had rootstock. In addition, pre-JFPM plantations raised under social forestry were also included under JFM area in Eastern Plains. An ecological study showed that plantation approach in the Western Ghats and pre-JFPM model of Eastern Plains are comparable with high biomass and lower species diversity, and the Eastern Plains JFM areas are characterised by higher biodiversity index, lesser tree density, above ground biomass and mean annual increments.

Carbon stock dynamics in the tropical rain forests of the Uttara Kannada district, Western Ghats, India

Carbon stock dynamics was monitored in the Uttara Kannada district, Western Ghats, India, for ten years on eight one-hectare sampling areas belonging to different management and forest categories. The study was initiated in 1984 and the area was monitored until 1994. Our study indicates that, in general, the carbon stock has enhanced during the study period with an average growth of 1.008 t/ha/year. However, there were differences in carbon stocks in different management regimes. The minor forests that are subjected to intense human pressures had a negative growth rate, i.e. 0.237 t/ha/year, while the reserve forests have a carbon assimilation rate of 1.31 t/ha/year. This indicates that human pressure has certainly decreased the carbon accumulation in the forests of Uttara Kannada. Despite the anthropogenic pressure, the minor forests have higher carbon accumulation through recruits as compared to the reserve forests. Thus it is suggested that a management strategy is needed to look into enhancing recruitment patterns in the minor forests which would become future carbon stocks.

Herb layer productivity under different light gaps in the forests of Western Ghats of Karnataka, India

A productivity estimation of tree, shrub and herb layer biomass was undertaken in Uttara Kannada, a Western Ghats district in Karnataka in differentially managed forests. In addition to biomass, light gap in these sample sites was also estimated to understand the relationship between the light interception pattern at different canopy layers and their productivity. The studies indicate that tree biomass productivity decreases and herb productivity increases with increasing light gap. However, the herb biomass productivity attains maximum height at 40–60% light gaps than in plots with no trees or 100% light gap indicating that highest herb biomass is found in forests managed for leaf manure than in grasslands. This further indicates that partial shading enhances herb layer productivity. Thus, a strategy of undertaking agroforestry in villages to enhance the total biomass productivity to meet the needs of the villages was suggested.

ASSESSMENT OF PROPAGATION TECHNIQUES FOR FOREST SPECIES OF THE WESTERN GHAT REGION OF INDIA

ABSTRACT Following the failure of plantations of exotic species to provide for the varied needs of the local people, attention has turned to re-establishing indigenous species. In this study, attempts were made to identify suitable methods for propagating 85 tree species growing in the Western Ghats region of peninsular India. Of these 85, 28 species were easily propagated with no special treatment were identified. The responses of other species to seed treatments to enhance germination, such as scarification, acid and hot water were examined. Scarification was, generally, the most successful treatment. In a trial of methods of vegetative propagation, though sprouting was observed for many species, only few of them rooted. Propagation methods have been suggested for 44 tree species, and a list of 12 species that did not perform well under any treatment tried was prepared in order to identify where more work is needed. Also 49 non-tree species (37 shrubs, 3 climbers, 4 lianas and 5 stranglers) of the Western Ghats region were examined in the same way. The germination of their seed was poor, only Jasminum malabaricum (Wt.) had over 50% germination in the control and 2 other species, Acacia concinna and Prosopis juliflora had over 75% germination under different treatments. 31 species out of the 46 tried produced roots through cuttings.