Tree Diversity, Structure, Biomass and Carbon Stock Assessment in Kanger Valley National Park, Central India

Abstract

Kanger National Park is home to a tropical mixed deciduous forest in central India, which has great floral diversity and is a key carbon reservoir. Survey was conducted which looked at tree species composition, structural features, diversity indices, biomass, and carbon stock in 3 representative sites within the park: Tirathgarh, Kamanar, and Kudruwada. At Tirathgarh, Kamanar and Kudruwada, 27, 22, and 25 tree species were recorded, respectively, with stand densities that ranged from 694.46 to 1166.69 stems/ha and basal areas from 19.23 to 26.25 m2/ha. At all sites, Shorea robusta and Tectona grandis were the dominant species, whereas Buchanania cochinchinensis exhibited very high abundance specifically at Kudruwada. Species diversity peaked at Tirathgarh (H′ = 3.42), while Kudruwada recorded maximum biomass (279.02 t·ha⁻¹; carbon stock = 117.33 t·ha⁻¹). When compared to other dry deciduous reserves across the country, Kanger National Park exhibits analogous structural complexity and high biomass. These results underline the protected area’s regional ecological value. The data also suggest that the park could effectively contribute to broader carbon sequestration efforts.