Tree species diversity and soil nutrient status in three sites of tropical dry deciduous forest of western India

The present work aimed to study the tree species diversity and soil nutrient status in three sites of tropical dry deciduous forest of western India (23 3' N latitude to 69 30' E, 23 3' N latitude to 70 32' E and 23 3' N latitude to 72 33' E). A total of 93 tree species of 85 genera belonging to 24 families were encountered. The tree stand density varied from 458-728 individuals ha super(-1) with the average basal area ranging from 5.96 - 19.31 m super(2) ha super(-1). Shannon-Weiner Index (H') ranged from 0.67 - 0.79. The Simpson Index of dominance varied from 0.08 - 0.16, the Margalef's Species Richness Index varied from 21.41 - 23.71, Equitability or evenness index varied from 0.02 - 0.05, the species heterogeneity index varied from 2.53 - 3.61 and b diversity varied from 2.05 - 4.87. A greater number of tree species fell in 41 - 50 cm DBH followed by 21 -30 cm, 0 - 10 cm diameter class, but less number of tree individuals are represented in above 100 cm diameter class. The Combretaceae was represented by the highest number of species (9 spp.) followed by Rutaceae (7 spp.). Each of the individual soil variables showed a high positive correlation with tree species richness while tree density showed a clearly negative correlation with variables like phosphorous and nitrogen and positive correlation with carbon.Original Abstract: El proposito de este trabajo fue estudiar la diversidad de especies arboreas y el estatus de los nutrientes del suelo en tres sitios de bosque tropical seco caducifolio del occidente de la India (23 3' N latitud a 69 30' E, 23 3' N latitud a 70 32' E y 23 3' N latitud a 72 33' E). Se encontraron en total de 93 especies arboreas de 85 generos pertenecientes a 24 familias. La densidad de arboles en los rodales vario entre 458 y 728 individuos ha super(-1) y el area basal promedio fluctuo entre 5.96 y 19.31 m super(2) ha super(-1). El indice de Shannon-Wiener (H') fluctuo entre 0.67 y 0.79. El indice de dominancia de Simpson vario de 0.08 a 0.16, el indice de riqueza de especies de Margalef vario de 21.41 a 23.71, la equitabilidad fluctuo entre 0.02 y 0.05, el indice de heterogeneidad de especies vario de 2.53 a 3.61 y la diversidad b vario de 2.05 a 4.87. El mayor numero de especies arboreas cayo en la categoria diametrica de 41 - 50 cm, seguida por las clases de 21 - 30 cm, y de 0 - 10 cm de d.a.p.; un numero menor de individuos arboreos tuvieron diametros superiores a 100 cm. Combretaceae estuvo representada por el mayor numero de