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Analysis of Potential Outcome-based Indicators for assessing the Biodiversity status of Managed Forests: A case study of Delawari Range, Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary, MP, India

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Author Affiliations

  • 1Indian Institute of Forest Management, PO Box 357, Nehru Nagar, Bhopal, MP, INDIA
  • 2 Madhya Pradesh State Bamboo and Bamboo Crafts Development Board, Madhya Pradesh Government, Forest Department, Khel Parisar, 74 Bungalows, Bhopal, MP, INDIA

Int. Res. J. Environment Sci., Volume 3, Issue (8), Pages 77-85, August,22 (2014)

Abstract

The paper deals with the application and analysis of the potential outcome-based indicators of biodiversity in Delawari Range under Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS). The work examines the feasibility of identifying appropriate indicators to monitor and assess biodiversity, focusing on the usefulness of selected biotic parameters as surrogate measures of different aspects of biodiversity in managed forests, especially the protected areas, where external pressures like illicit grazing, forest fires, tourism, mechanical disturbances etc., have a combined effect on the persistence of biodiversity. A combination of structural (physiognomy and associated structures) and compositional indicators (indicator species or species group) is selected which is appropriate to the aims of management and to the present scenario of forests. For each outcome, relevant key biodiversity surrogates like vegetation cover, vegetation diversity, structural complexity and naturalness were identified and were assessed the ecological functions of those surrogates along with the panel of experts. Set of field -based indicators were used for assessing the condition of biodiversity in the Delawari range along with the usual biodiversity measuring techniques like survey and sampling techniques and biotic survey forms for the listing of IVI-, Plant Species richness and composition, Faunal status etc. Questionnaire method, group discussion and Noise level determination (Decibel meter) were extensively used for assessing present scenario of the range which will help in obtaining existing biodiversity data for the region, identify the significant biodiversity components and significant measures. These indicators will provide a benchmark so that if future conditions are projected, they can be related to alternative management scenarios and an appropriate system for monitoring can be put in place to detect any changes or trends in biodiversity.

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