Anthropogenic interventions regulate forest structure and carbon stock in transitional dry forests of Similipal Biosphere Reserve, India

Tropical dry forests play an important role in the storing of significant amounts of biomass and carbon. However, carbon storage in these forests is linked to biotic, edaphic and climatic factors as well as human interventions. The forest structure and carbon storage in relation to human interventions and soil properties were studied in tropical dry forest patches located in a transition region of the Similipal Biosphere Reserve, India. Random sampling of vegetation and soil was done in 30 plots of 50 x 20 m in size. A total of 41 adult tree species, 50 juvenile tree species and 28 climber species were recorded within the study area. The average carbon stock of the forest was 179.54 +/- 9.56 Mg ha(-1), of which adult trees were the highest contributors (55%) followed by soil organic carbon (36%), woody climbers (6%) and juvenile trees (3%). There was a significant effect of lopping, cutting of trees and soil properties on forest structure and carbon stock. This study confirms that anthropogenic disturbances and edaphic factors play a significant role in the variation of carbon stocks of biomass and soils in the forest.