Tree species diversity, distribution and population structure in a tropical dry deciduous forest of Malyagiri hill ranges, Eastern Ghats, India

Tree species diversity, distribution and population structure of tropical forests of Eastern Ghats are poorly understood. We analyzed the structure of a tropical deciduous forest in Malyagiri hill ranges of Eastern Ghats, Odisha. The study was conducted by laying 60 quadrats, each 20 m x 20 m in size. In total, 1063 trees belonging to 57 species were recorded from 2.4 ha samplipng area. Mean density was 443 trees ha(-1) and basal area was 13.73 m(2) ha-1. The dominant tree species was Shorea robusta with an Importance Value Index (IVI) of 44.67. Other important species were Terminalia alata (IVI 31.98), Madhuca indica (17.3), Anogeissus latifolia (15.64) and Diospyros melanoxylon (13.41). Stem density and species richness decreased with increasing girth class of trees. The Shannon-Wiener index (H') was 3.38 and Simpson's index (C) 1.0 indicating high tree species diversity in the present tropical deciduous forest. Out of 57 species, five species were randomly and fifty two species contagiously distributed. Tree species diversity, distribution and population structure provide baseline information for conservation and management of the present forest.