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Species Composition of Understory Vegetation and Large Herbivore Abundance in Burnt and an Unburnt Deciduous Dipterocarp Forest at Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand

Author Affiliations

  • 1Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, THAILAND
  • 2Graduate School, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, THAILAND
  • 3Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Bangkok, THAILAND

Int. Res. J. Biological Sci., Volume 4, Issue (2), Pages 7-15, February,10 (2015)

Abstract

The species composition in burnt and unburnt deciduous dipterocarp forest (DDF) at Huai KhaKhaeng Wildlife Sanctuary (HKKWS) was carried out by identifying and comparing ground flora, seedling and sapling species. The Importance Value Index (IVI), indices for species diversity, similarity, richness and evenness were analyzed. Wildlife abundance was determined by identifying and counting dung and pellet groups of large herbivores. There were more species of ground flora, seedlings and saplings in burnt area than in unburnt area. Dominant ground flora species based on the IVI value were Heteropogontriticeus (R.Br.) Stapf ex Craib in burnt area and Polyalthiadebilis(Pierre) Finetand Gagnep.inunburnt area. Dominant seedling species were Shoreaobtusa Wall. Ex Blume in burnt area and Polyalthia debilis(Pierre) Finetand Gagnep.inunburnt area. Dominant sapling species were Xyliaxylocarpa (Roxb.) Taub.in burnt area and Terminaliamucronata Craiband Hutch.inunburnt area. The Menhinick’s index showed that the species richness of ground flora, seedlings and saplings were higher in burnt area than in unburnt area.The species similarity of ground flora, seedlings and saplings between burnt and unburnt areas was low. For analysing herbivore abundance the dung and pellet densities showed that elephant, banteng, Sambar deer and common barking deer were more abundant in burnt area than in unburnt area and gaur did not inhabit the study area.

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