Ecological and Biophysical Characterization of a Reclaimed Forest over
Degraded Land of Haryana: Learning from Conservation Strategies
Abstract
Forests play an important role in land management and environmental
sustainability via their ecological and biophysical characteristics.
These characteristics were assessed in a reclaimed forest developed over
saline, barren wasteland well known as Saraswati Wildlife Sanctuary
(SWS) to understand its ecological development, future threats, and
potential environmental benefits. We computed tree community
characteristics such as density, basal area, diversity, and species
composition using a tree dataset from 36 plots of 0.1 ha. A total of
1,711 individuals of 8 families, 10 genera, and 12 species were
recorded. Myrtaceae, Fabaceae, and Moraceae families were found
dominating in the area. Prosopis juliflora showed the highest
(142.50) Importance Value Index (IVI). The tree density varied from 435
ha –1 to 767 ha –1.
Shannon–Weiner Index (H’), Simpson’s Diversity Index, Margalef Index,
and Evenness Index, were recorded as 1.39, 0.68, 1.48, and 0.56
respectively. The average total biomass and carbon stock were estimated
to be 344.3 tonnes/ha and 161.8 tonnes/ha. The total biomass of forest
was 14,88,674 tons and carbon stock 6,99,677 tons in 2020. A total of
279 ha of forest blanks were identified using Sentinel-2 satellite data
showing the existing potential of afforestation. Observations indicated
that the system is of less diversity, early aged, and at
anthropogenic/pathogenic risk due to its evenness and monospecific
nature, and requires exhaustive mixed plantation with suitable species
over open/blank areas immediately. We learn that the strategic planning
of reclamation through afforestation in a semi-arid environment with
similar conditions must focus on a complex community.