Tropical Plant Research

Azram Tahoor, Azra Musavi and Jamal A. Khan*

Abstract:
The objective of this study was to assess the impacts of biomass extraction on vegetation community structure. The area selected for this study was Kaimur wildlife sanctuary situated in Mirzapur and Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh, India. Area was stratified into high, medium and low disturbed area on the basis of presence of human induced disturbance indicators. Within each stratified area, 10 m radius circular plots were laid to record the vegetation, habitat and disturbance variables. Results showed that tree density and diversity indices were recorded highest in least disturbed area. The overall highest Importance Value Index is of Sal (116), recorded from medium disturbed area. Human trail and grazing cover was negatively correlated with density and diversity indices of tree and sapling. Canopy cover was positively correlated to herb diversity indices. Tree, shrub and herb diversity indices are positively correlated to distance from human habitation. Present study concludes that grazing and lopping are the prime disturbance factor for changes in vegetation community structure. The density of some of the sampled plant species is very low which in the coming future will face local extinction. For future and long term aspects, urgent initiatives are required to conserve and protect vegetative species.