POST-FIRE REGENERATION STATUS OF TREE SPECIES IN A TROPICAL DRY DECIDUOUS FOREST OF SOUTHERN INDIA

Abstract

Recurrent fires in forested areas are a leading disturbance that can strongly affect the vegetation dynamics, structure and regeneration. In this study, we examined tree species regeneration in response to fire in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve. Fire frequency map was prepared using Landsat 5, 7 and 8 satellite images for the period between 1999 and 2015 (17 years). The study resulted in the occurrence of ten fire frequency classes along with an unburned class. For each class, three plots were randomly laid in the field, and data were collected on the three growth forms such as seedlings, saplings and trees. A total of 62 species belonging to 50 genera and 23 families were recorded. There was a negative linear correlation between the numbers of species in all three growth forms and fire frequencies. Lower fire frequency classes (F1–F4) sustained the individual density of seedlings and saplings. Friedman’s two-way analysis of variance by rank showed that the number of individuals of three dominant species (Anogeissus latifolia, Phyllanthus emblica and Tectona grandis), in seedling and sapling, exhibited a significant difference among each other in fire frequency classes, whereas in tree form they were not significant. The species with more seedlings were P. emblica, Terminalia chebula and Ziziphus rugosa. This study found that even in the short fire intervals P. emblica species could sustain in all three life forms, thus this species can be recommended for afforestation in high fire frequency areas.