Assessment of biomass and net primary productivity of a dry tropical forest using geospatial technology

This study quantifies biomass, aboveground and belowground net productivity, along with additional environmental factors over a 2-3 year period in Barnawapara Sanctuary of Chhattisgarh, India through satellite remotesensing and GIS techniques. Ten sampling quadrates20×20, 5×5 and 1×1 m were randomly laid for overstorey (OS), understorey (US) and ground vegetation(GS), respectively. Girth of trees was measured at breast height and collar diameters of shrubs and herbs at 0.1 m height. Biomass was estimated using allometric regression equations and herb biomass by harvesting. Net primary productivity (NPP) was determined by Ssumming biomass increment and litter crop values. Aspect and slope influenced the vegetation types, biomass and NPP in different forests. Standing biomass and NPP varied from 18.6 to101.5 Mg ha^(-1) and 5.3 to 12.7 Mg ha^(-1) a^(-1), respectively,in different forest types. The highest biomass was found in dense mixed forest, while net production recoded in Teak forests. Both were lowest in degraded mixed forests of different forest types. OS, US and GS contributed 90.4, 8.7and 0.7%, respectively, for the total mean standing biomass in different forests. This study developed spectral models for the estimation of biomass and NPP using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index and other vegetation indices.The study demonstrated the potential of geospatial tools for estimation of biomass and net productivity of dry tropical forest ecosystem.

Provenance variations in proximate principles,mineral matter,total phenols and phytochemicals of Melia dubia drupes:an unexplored alternate livestock feed stock

This research was carried out on nine provenances from the north Western Ghats to quantify proximate principles,mineral matter,total phenols and other phytochemicals in Melia dubia drupe pulp.Drupe biometric,biomass attributes,proximate principles,mineral matter and total phenols diff ered signifi cantly among the provenances.The average drupe length and width was 26.5 and 22.3 mm,respectively.Average drupe and pulp fresh weight,pulp dry weight and stone weight were 783.1,552.1,165.1,and 179.8 g/100 drupes,respectively.Pulp,dry matter and moisture per cent were 70.5%,29.9%and 70.0%,respectively.Average crude fi bre,protein,ether extract,total ash and nitrogen-free extract were 8.3%,7.6%,5.1%,6.3%,and 72.6%,respectively.Average Ca,Mg,P and K levels were 0.5%,0.2%,0.2%,and 2.0%,respectively.Total phenols were 0.4%.Cluster analysis showed that the study area may be divided into three distinct provenances,each having diff erent drupe traits and proximate composition,including mineral components.Gas-chromatography mass-spectrometry analysis revealed 27 phytochemicals,many of which possess benefi cial biological attributes.The implications of this provenance variation study should be useful for future improvement in terms of better drupe pulp nutrition for livestock feed.Further study suggests that M.dubia pulp could be categorized as a good feed source with low fi bre,energy,fat and mineral levels.All proximate parameters,mineral matter content and total phenols are within prescribed limits.