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Asian Review of Environmental and Earth Sciences 
Vol. 8, No. 1, 38-47, 2021 

ISSN(E) 2313-8173 / ISSN(P) 2518-0134 
DOI: 10.20448/journal.506.2021.81.38.47 

© 2021 by the authors; licensee Asian Online Journal Publishing Group 

 

 
 
 
Tree Diversity, Biomass and Carbon Stock in Quartz Mined Area of Bilikal Hillock, 
hunasaekatte, Bhadravathi, Karnataka, South India 

 
Appaji Nanda1   
Gunguramale L. Janardhana2   

 

 
( Corresponding Author) 

 
1Biodiversity Education and Research Lab, Environmental Study Centre, No. 70/1, opposite University of 
Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga, Karnataka, India; Department of Post Graduate Studies 
and Research in Applied Botany, Bioscience Complex, Jnana Sahyadri, Kuvempu University, Shankaraghatta, 
Shivamogga, Karnataka, India. 
Email: nanda.biodiversity@gmail.com Tel: 9845047804 
2Biodiversity Education and Research Lab, Environmental Study Centre, No. 70/1, opposite University of 
Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga, Karnataka, India 

 
Abstract 

To learn about the abandoned mined area tree diversity, aboveground biomass and carbon stock a 
study was conducted in quartz mined Bilikal hillock area which is geographically adjacent to 
Umbalebylu 8 km to Bhadra wildlife sanctuary and 10 km of Kuvempu University.  In the present 
study 0.14ha (350 m×4m) transect, we recorded 1527 individuals comprising 22 families among 
them Papilionaceae with 6 genera and 7 species, Combretaceae with 2 genera and 4 species 
followed by Rubiaceae with 3 genera and 3 species and Apocynaceae with 2 genera and 3 species.  
Based on girth class assessment nearly 1564 individuals comprising 1-10 cm had 559 individuals, 
the basal area was more within the girth class of 40-50 cm. But aboveground biomass and carbon 
stock were highest within the girth class of 20-30 cm. varying with species structure and girth 
class were a disturbed forest patch, the species composition needs management and restoration to 
retain the biodiversity intact to provide a niche for other co-species. 

 
Keywords: Aboveground biomass, Carbon stock, Diversity, Ecological indices, Girth class, Quartz hillock, Mining, Trees, Restoration, 
Karnataka. 

 
Citation | Appaji Nanda; Gunguramale L. Janardhana (2021). Tree 
Diversity, Biomass and Carbon Stock in Quartz Mined Area of 
Bilikal Hillock, hunasaekatte, Bhadravathi, Karnataka, South India. 
Asian Review of Environmental and Earth Sciences, 8(1): 38-47. 
History:  
Received: 28 July 2021 
Revised: 30 August 2021 
Accepted: 16 September 2021 
Published: 11 October 2021 
Licensed: This work is licensed under a Creative Commons 

Attribution 3.0 License  
Publisher:  Asian Online Journal Publishing Group 
 

Acknowledgement: Authors thank CCF Dharwad for his encouragement and 
They thank Biodiversity Education and Research lab, Environmental Study 
Centre, shivamogga for logistics, they’re thanks to Manjunatha, R and 
Premnath, S. K for field assistance. 
Funding: Authors thank Karnataka Forest Department for funding this minor 
project work to explore the tree diversity of mined area.  
Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of 
interests. 
Transparency: The authors confirm that the manuscript is an honest, 
accurate, and transparent account of the study was reported; that no vital 
features of the study have been omitted; and that any discrepancies from the 
study as planned have been explained. 
Ethical: This study follows all ethical practices during writing.   

 

 

Contents 
1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 39 
2. Material and Methods ..................................................................................................................................................................... 39 
3. Methodology ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 40 
4. Results ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 42 
5. Discussion .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 44 
6. Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 45 
References .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 45 
 

 
 
 

 

 

 

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Contribution of this paper to the literature 
The present study provides baseline data of tree species composition, biomass and carbon stock in the 
abandoned mined area, which seeks further empirical research to know variation in species composition, 
edaphic characters and phenology for future restoration of the mined area. 

 
1. Introduction 

Biodiversity at all levels is important to the composition, structure, and functioning of ecosystems and it 
provides many of the ecological services underpinning the human economy.  Hence biodiversity conservation is a 
major concern for all organisms [1]. Based on Bell, et al. [2] the duration and quality of mining the degradation of 
landscapes and the impact of biological community within the geological scale varies [2]. Tropical forest 
communities are the biologically most complex and diverse ecosystems. The diversity is not distributed uniformly 
but concentrated in certain patches. The species richness, a simple measure of diversity can vary from forest types, 
of southern India.  The highest biological and genetic diversity exists in tropical forests [3]. Covering only 7 % of 
the earth’s land surface these forests have more than half of the worlds’ species [4].  

Based on forest statistics and research studies indicate, 54 % are classified as dry deciduous, and 37 % as moist 
deciduous [5, 6].  Dry forest biodiversity population, dynamics and conservation efforts are very rare [7] even 
though their ratio compares to other forest is very less and are more threatened ecosystems. To assess the 
structure of tropical forest diversity and dynamics permanent plots of varying sizes were monitored[8, 9]. There 
has been increasing interest even in documenting the long-term dynamics of tropical forests through the 
establishment of permanent plots.  Tropical forest inventories serve as basic information for the conservation and 
management tools [10].  

Miles, et al. [11] have shown the landmass in tropics, tropical dry forests represents 42%  as they detain 110 
Gt (gigatonne) vegetation carbon compared to 134 Gt carbon in tropical rainforests, Foley [12]. A huge carbon 
pool in the forest ecosystem is a result of high rate of terrestrial carbon cycle and high productivity [13]. Carbon 
storage in trees through the process of biogeochemical processes [14]. Carbon store is a result of photosynthesis 
and respiration, are sources of atmospheric carbon the major disturbances by natural causes and by human 
activities leads to become atmospheric carbon in the process of carbon cycle it restores within carbon sinks during 
growth can be managed to sequester or restore significant quantities of carbon in nature [15]. The atmospheric 
CO2 absorption is assimilated in plant tissue in the growth of the plant Chavan and Rasal [16].  Brown [15] has 
described the guidelines for estimation of carbon by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 
different landscape like forest, agriculture and other land uses. The three ways in which atmospheric CO2 can be 
balanced: Carbon sequestration, Carbon conservation and Carbon substitution [17]. On a global scale mitigating 
carbon emission the accurate way to measure carbon in forest as well as other ecosystem is gaining attention 
globally [15, 18]. Net source and emission of greenhouse gas resulting in changes in forest cover historically [19, 
20]. 

Brown, et al. [21] for the accurate estimation of above ground biomass (AGB), allometric equations are 
important with a non destructive method by measuring the independent variables like diameter at breast height 
(DBH). Forests are influenced by the large-scale occurrence of wildfire, fire control, over-harvesting, collection of 
non timber forest products, and conversion of land to agriculture and forest and mining. The present mined area is 
adjacent to Bhadra wildlife sanctuary the tree flora indicates the similar composition of species as recorded by 
Krishnamurthy, et al. [22].  

The limited studies on flora, tree biomass and carbon stock estimation in mined forests of India are limited, 
hence the present study describes the quartz mined area in Bhadravathi, shivamogga, Karnataka state. The floristic 
diversity studies based on the impact of mining and the purpose of mining on forest structure and functioning is 
needed for the restoration which begins with assessment hence the present study was carried with the objectives 1. 
To know the tree diversity and species composition of the mined hillock forest patch? 2. To know aboveground 
biomass and carbon stock based on girth class structure. 3. To find out the strategies in restoration of mined area. 
 

2. Material and Methods 
2.1. Origin of the Problem 

Quartzite, usually metamorphic rock composed of firmly cemented quartz grains. Quartzites occur in various 
metamorphic rocks in the form of solid sheet-like bodies extending for great distances. Quartzites in which the 
SiO2 content reaches 98–99 per cent are used for manufacturing Dinas, refractories, for obtaining metallic silicon 
and its alloys, and as a flux in metallurgy. Initially, mining activity began (the exact date is unavailable pertaining 
to the residents interaction it is 1970-1985) a lease granted to Vishveshwaraiah Iron and Steel Limited (VISL), 
Bhadravathi, Karnataka. The present mined area lay close to the dry deciduous forest of the Bhadra wildlife 
sanctuary and social forest (eucalyptus and acacia plantation) of Mysore paper mills, paper town, Bhadravathi. At 
present no mining activity (information from the residents of the surrounding two village area).  
 

2.2. Study Area 
The study was conducted during (2013-2015) in and around Bilikal mined area where the forest is partially 

disturbed without excavation. which is geographically adjacent to Umbalebylu forest patch 8 km and 10 km of 
Kuvempu University campus 13º 47' 425'' N Lat, 75º 37' 394'' E Long, the altitude is above 2229 feet MSL (Figure 
1). Champion and Seth [23]classification characterize these forests as Southern dry mixed deciduous forests. This 
site receives an annual rainfall of about 100-542 mm annually spread from May to December a winter period from 
November-January and a dry period from February-April with a minimum and maximum temperature varying 
from (15.3º-30.3º; 19.3º-36.6º) during the study period. The characteristic tree species of this site are Terminalia 
paniculata, Anogeissus latifolia, Tectona grandis, and Cassia fistula etc.  
 



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Figure-1. Study area of quartz mined Bilikal hillock Bhadravathi, Karnataka. India. 

 

3. Methodology 
To prepare a database of plant species for the Bilikal mined area. All trees were randomly recorded within the 

respective transects of 350 m  4 m, (0.1ha). Species were photographed and maintained as digital herbaria, in the 
Environmental Study Centre. The tree species were confirmed to the taxonomic level by referring to the various 
regional floras [24-27] of Karnataka, south India. 
 

3.1. Statistical Analysis  
Different ecological indices were performed to know the tree diversity as follows - Dominance, Abundance, 

Frequency and Diversity 
The dominant species in a community are those assumed to be most important ecologically. They may be most 

numerous or of especially large size or high frequency of occurrence. Quantitative dominance may not 
automatically be translated into ecological superiority, but provides a useful way of classifying communities. For 
plant communities measuring dominance usually entails determining three attributes of the species in the 
community: density (number of stems or individuals per unit area) which is a measure of the numerical dominance 
relative to other species: frequency (how many samples contain individuals of a given species), which measures the 
commonness of the species and coverage (basal area) which is a measure of the amount of space occupied by 
individuals of a given species. Transect and Plot data obtained were summarized according to the standard 

protocols.Density, frequency and basal area (as r2) along with the abundance and their relative measures for each 
species have been calculated as follows, Magurran [28]. 
Density (D) = Total no. of individuals / Total no. of quadrats studied. 
Abundance (Ab) = Total no. of individuals / No. of quadrats of occurrence. 
Frequency (F) = No. of quadrants of species occurrence / Total no. of quadrats studied. 
 

3.2. Measuring Species Diversity 
There are a number of ways to measure diversity. The differences among them are not particularly profound. 

Most take into account species richness (the total number of species in the community). However, there is another 



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aspect of species diversity that is frequently not accounted for by diversity indices, the evenness of distribution of 
individuals among species (also called equitability).  
 

3.3. Alpha Diversity 
Species richness - Alpha diversity is measured within the community. Scale is specified and species richness is 

expressed as the number of species in a given standard sample (like the number of tree species per one-hectare 
sample). The simplest measure of species diversity is through the use of a species richness index, which is the 
number of species in the community regardless of dominance Margalef’s species richness index was used to assess 
the species richness in the present study. 
Margalef’s Species richness index D = (S-1) ln N 
Where S= number of species,      N= total number of individuals 

Species richness is the easiest to understand the component of diversity, but the problem is that the actual 
number of species usually unknown. Species richness must be estimated by sampling the community. This, in turn, 
is affected by sample size and taxonomic error. The larger the sample the larger the species richness will be. We 
might estimate species richness by looking at the rate of increase with increasing sample size but we are assuming 
that the rate of increase will be constant. This may be untrue if our samples are large enough.  
 

3.4. Equitability or Evenness 
If we are using samples, the results are then affected by differences in the numbers of individuals per sample. In 

this case, the role of dominance versus equitability or evenness becomes a factor. In the present study, Pielou’s 
Equitability index was calculated for knowing the evenness. 
Pielou’s Equitability Index E = H1 /ln S 
Where S= number of species 
N= total number of individuals,  
H1= Shannon-Wiener Diversity index 

Later ecologists introduced a second component, the evenness component into species diversity considerations. 
The richness and evenness components are combined into a single value, the heterogeneity index. The best known 
of these are the Shannon-Weiner and Simpson diversity indices which are calculated as follows.  
Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index     H1   = - ∑pi ln pi 
Simpson’sDiversity Index    D = (ni (ni-1) / (N (N-1) 
Where ‘ith’ species = one of all the enumerated species 
pi = the proportion of the ‘i’th species = (ni /N) 
ni = number of individuals of the ‘i’th species 
N = total number of individuals. 
Species aggregation concentrations were studied using Simpson’s Concentration dominance index. 
Simpson’s Concentration dominance index Cd = E (Ni /N) 2 

Where  Ni = density of the ‘i’ th species, N   = total number of individuals. 
Tree total Biomass and carbon stock of the different tree species based on varying girth classes we calculated 

using allometric equations developed by Brown, et al. [21]; Takimoto, et al. [29]; Khan [30]; Sundarapandian, et 
al. [31]. Pearson’s correlation was performed with different parameters to know the significance of the available 
data, Zar [32].   
 
 

Table-1. Tree species composition based on mined forest structure. 

Total Families 22 
Dominant family Papilionaceae 
Total Genera 35 
Dominant genera Terminalia spp. 
Total Species 42 
Dominant species Anogeissus latifoliaWall. 
Dominant canopy tree Anogeissus latifoliaWall. 
Dominant understorey tree Helicteres isoraL. 
Total individuals 1527 - 64 
Dominant individual Anogeissus latifoliaWall. 

 

 
Figure-2.  Proportion of families in the Bilikal quartz mined area Bhadravathi, Karnataka. 

 



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4. Results 
The present study recorded a total of 1527 trees belonging to 42 species, 35 genera and 22 families during the 

study Table 1. Based on the diversity of distribution Papilionaceae with 6 genera and 7 species, Combretaceae with 
2 genera and 4 species followed by Rubiaceae with 3 genera and 3 species and Apocynaceae with 2 genera and 3 
species Figure 2. 

Canopy / top storey of the Bilikal composed of Terminalia paniculata, Terminalia tomentosa, Pterocarpus 
marsupium and middle storey by Tectona grandis, Dalbergia latifolia and Lannea coromandelica, while in the 
under/lower storey Randia dumetorum, Wrighitia tomentosa, Holarrhena antidysentrica and Helicteres isora were 
dominant. Table 2. 
 

Table-2. Tree species of Bilikal mined area of Hunasaekatte, Bhadravathi, Karnataka, India. 

No. 
Species Family 

Life-
form* Individuals Density Abundance Frequency 

1 Acacia concina (Willd.) DC. Mimosae Wl 12 1.71 4 0.4 
2 Adina cordifolia (Roxb).Ridsd. Rubiaceae C 14 2 4.6 0.4 
3 Aegle marmelos Corr. Rutaceae Us 4 0.57 4 0.1 
4 Albiziz lebbeck Benth. Mimosae C 2 0.28 2 0.1 
5 Anogeissus latifolia Wall. Combretaceae C 269 38.42 44.8 0.8 
6 Bauhinia malabarica Roxb. Caesalpiniaceae Us 2 0.28 2 0.1 
7 Bombax malabaricum DC. Bombaceae C 4 0.57 4 0.1 
8 Butea monosperma (Lam.) 

Taub. Papilionaceae 
Us 

10 1.42 3.3 0.4 
9 Careya arborea Roxb. Lecythidaceae Us 15 2.14 2.5 0.8 
10 Cassia fistula L. Caesalpiniaceae Us 1 0.14 1 0.1 
11 Dalbergia latifolia Roxb. Papilionaceae C 33 4.71 11 0.4 
12 Dalbergia lanceolaria Roxb. Papilionaceae C 1 0.14 0.3 0.4 
13 Dilenya pentagyna Roxb. Dilleniaceae C 11 1.57 1.8 0.4 
14 Diospyrous melanoxylon Roxb. Ebenaceae Us 49 7 8.1 0.8 
15 Embilica officinalis Gaertn. Euphorbiaceae Us 4 0.57 4 0.1 
16 Erythrina indica Lam. Papilionaceae Us 12 1.71 6 0.2 
17 Ficus bengalensis L. Moraceae C 2 0.28 2 0.1 
18 Helicteres isora L. Sterculiaceae Us 142 20.28 28.4 0.7 
19 Holarrhena antidysentrica 

wall. Apocynaceae 
Us 

116 16.57 19.3 0.8 
20 Lagerstroemia lanceolata Wall. Lythraceae C 2 0.28 2 0.1 
21 Lagerstromia parviflora Roxb. Lythraceae C 30 4.28 15 0.2 
22 Lannea coromandelica (Houtt.) 

Merr Anacardiaceae 
C 

21 3 7 0.4 
23 Mallotus phillippensis M.Arg. Euphorbiaceae Us 18 2.57 18 0.1 

24 Mitragyna parviflora Korth. Rubiaceae C 2 0.285 2 0.1 
25 Polyolthia cinnaroides 

Hk.f.andT. Annonaceae 
Us 

8 1.14 2.6 0.4 
26 Pongamia pinnata L. Papilionaceae Us 2 0.28 2.6 0.1 
27 Pterosperum diversifolium 

Blume Papilionaceae 
Us 

15 2.14 15 0.1 
28 Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. Papilionaceae C 14 2 14 0.1 
29 Radermachera xylocarpa Bignoniaceae Us 12 1.71 12 0.1 
30 Randia dumetorum (Thunb.) 

Tirven. Rubiaceae 
Us 

112 16 28 0.5 
31 Schleichera oleosa (Lour.) 

Oken Sapindaceae 
C 

2 0.28 2 0.1 
32 Scolopia crenata Clos. Flacourtiaceae Us 1 0.14 1 0.1 
33 Semicarpus anacardium L.f. Anacardiaceae C 15 2.14 7.5 0.2 
34 Tectona grandis L.f. Verbenaceae C 251 35.85 62.7 0.1 
35 Terminalia paniculata Roth. Combretaceae C 90 12.85 22.5 0.5 
36 Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) 

Roxb. Combretaceae 
C 

7 1 7 0.1 
37 Terminalia chebula Retz. Combretaceae C 1 0.14 0.2 0.1 
38 Terminalia tomentosa W. and 

A. Combretaceae 
C 

106 15.14 53 0.5 
39 Wrighitia tomentosa R.and S. Apocynaceae Us 87 12.42 87 0.2 
40 Wrightia tinctoria R.Br. Apocynaceae Us 1 0.142 0.5 0.1 
41 Ziziphus rugosa Lam. Rhamnaceae Wl 25 3.57 12.5 0.2 
42 Ziziphus oenoplia Mill. Rhamnaceae Us 2 0.28 0.6 0.4 

Note: *Life-form - Wl – Woody liana, C – Canopy tree, Us – Understorey tree. 

 
A dominant among the tree composition is Anogeissus latifolia, (Combretaceae ) with  269 individuals, density 

38.42, abundance 44.8 and frequency 0.85, Tectona grandis, (Verbenaceae) with 251 individuals, density 35.85, 
abundance 62.75 and frequency 0.14, Terminalia tomentosa (Combretaceae) with 106 individuals, density 15.14, 
abundance 53 and frequency 0.5. Table 2 Tree diversity parameters are summarized in (Table 3). Diversity indices 
indicate that a moderate diversity in the human-disturbed area. 

Based on transect the girth class, biomass and carbon stock was assessed for 1564 individuals. The number of 
individuals was highest within a girth class of 1-10 cm, followed by 20-30 cm, whereas basal area was highest 



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within the girth class of 40-50 cm and total carbon stock is 0.776  t/ha, and for the present study of (0.14ha)  it is 
0.108 t/ha. Table 4 and Table 5. 
 

Table- 3. Ecological indices for tree species in Bilikal mined area of Bhadravathi, Karnataka. 

Parameters Values 

Taxa_S 42 
Individuals 1527 

Dominance_D 0.09 
Shannon_H 2.77 

Simpson_1-D 0.90 
Evenness_e^H/S 0.38 

Menhinick 1.07 
Margalef 5.59 

Equitability_J 0.74 
Fisher_alpha 7.98 

Berger-Parker 0.17 

 
Table-4. Different girth class, basal area, biomass and carbon stock for tree species in Bilikal mined area of Bhadravathi, Karnataka. 

Sl. 
No 

Girth-  
class 

No of 
individuals 

No. of 
species 

DBH 
(cm) 

Basal area Biomass Carbon 
stock (t/ha) 

Carbon stock 
(t/0.14ha) 

1 1 – 10 559 32 1630.09 4118.05 212.84 106.42 14.89 
2 10 -20 305 30 1583.24 6616.9 209.35 104.67 14.65 
3 20-30 312 29 2482.81 15711.25 335.88 167.90 23.05 
4 30-40 186 29 2061.24 18057.55 285.52 142.76 19.98 
5 40-50 119 26 1706.36 19288.30 241.64 120.82 16.91 
6 50-60 43 15 742.77 10102.14 107.06 53.53 7.49 
7 60-70 17 10 345.04 5510.13 50.56 25.28 3.53 
8 70-80 10 9 235.86 4372.70 35.12 17.56 2.45 
9 80-100 5 4 138.14 3013.59 20.95 10.47 1.46 
10 100-150 7 7 263.56 7842.04 41.50 20.75 2.9 
11 >200 1 1 70.02 3851.54 11.97 5.98 0.83 

 
Table-5. A total assessment of different parameters for tree species in Bilikal mined area of Bhadravathi, Karnataka. 

Parameters Total values Ton/ha 0.14ha (350 x 4 mt) 

DBH 11259.19 11.25919 1.57628 
Basal area 98484.16 98.48416 13.7877 
Biomass 1552.36 1.55236 0.21733 

Carbon stock 776.181 0.77618 0.10866 

 
Species composition and basal area indicate the present forest patch has more juvenile individuals compare to 

mature Figure 3 hence the restoration have greater importance in nurturing the forest ecosystem. The girth class 
with diameter indicates the (20-50 cm) girth class has a maximum number of basal area and carbon stock. Figure 4. 
Based on dbh (cm) and basal area (r = 0.53, p<0.05), basal area and biomass (r= 0.57, p<0.05), had a positive 
significance (Figure 5a, b). Whereas biomass and carbon stock (r=1.0, p<0.01) and dbh and carbon stock (r=0.98, 
p<0.01) had a strong positive significance Figure5 c, d.  
 

 
Figure-3. Number of Individual, species and girth class wise in the study area. 

 



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Figure-4. Biomass and Carbon stock among different girth class in the study area. 

 

  

  
Figure-5. Relationship between (a). Diameter and basal area, (b) basal area and biomass. (c) Biomass and carbon stock, (d) 
diameter and carbon stock, in a quartz mined hillock area, Karnataka. 

 

5. Discussion 
The present tree species diversity is related to the quality and quantity of disturbance and the species 

composition structure. Wattenberg and Breckle [33] report the biodiversity of any forest is a measure of its species 
richness. The higher density of the small trees in the forest is likely to be related to the open canopy and low 
density of the larger trees [34]. In the present study highlights the species diversity based on the level of 
disturbance. But a higher level of disturbance gradually leads to the poorer stability of the forest [9]. This is 
supported by the present study that higher numbers of competent species like (Randia dumetorum and Holarrhena 
antidysentrica) than the tolerant species like (Adina cordifolia, Aegle marmelos, Terminalia bellirica, Mitragyna 
parviflora and Embilica officinalis). Thus the present study is concluded that stability and diversity are 
complementary and two central themes for the proper functioning of any ecosystem. 

The sample size selected in the study area and species composition varies within and between different forest 
types of the earlier studies. 1527 individual trees in 0.14 ha of the present study are much higher compared to other 
earlier studies. Long term monitoring studies in different forest types show with 1766 trees in 2 ha permanent plot 
of Bhadra wildlife sanctuary, Karnataka [35] 540 tree/ha (≥ 1cm DBH) in the dry forests of Mudumalai, 
Tamilnadu, [36].  In KalakkadMundanthurai Tiger Reserve, 726 trees/ha [37]. In dry forests in Vindhya hill 
ranges and 446 trees/ha of tropical evergreen forests of VaragalairAyyappan and Parthasarathy [10]. Murali, et al. 
[38] study from Savanadurga State Forests of Karnataka with 30 quadrats of (25 m × 25 m) recorded 133 species.  



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Condit, et al. [39] lower girth class was more in the present study (i.e 43 % 794 stems), it may be due to the 
mortality of big trees that led to the creation of canopy gaps which helps to penetrate more solar light by 
supporting the level of recruitment of understory species and establish faster. Gordon and Newton [40] to 
minimize biodiversity loss by tropical deforestation and taking the biodiversity inventory as a tool for guiding 
conservation planning at a local scale by the international community especially in tropical countries where 
technical capacity is often limited. As this mined hillock area lies nearer to the natural dry forest of Bhadra wildlife 
sanctuary, the species richness and its diversity may be a chance by the dispersal mechanism of accompanying bird, 
and animal species. (Personal observation). Different parameters of ecological indices are in support with other 
tropical forest diversity studies (Krishnamurthy, et al. [35] and Murali, et al. [38]. But long term monitoring with 
diversity and dynamics observations are required in the present changing climate to understand species 
composition for the restoration of the mined area in the present study area and elsewhere. 

Nearly 37 individuals fall under the category of unidentified /partially disturbed species without access to leaf, 
flower and fruit for the identification and confirmation of taxonomic group but living, hence those individuals 
assessed for carbon stock. 

Daubenmire [41] research reveals that trees in the dry (deciduous) forest face loss of water resulting in a 
reduction in stem diameter. In the present study number individual, species composition varies with girth class; the 
basal area is highest within the girth class of 40-50 cm with a 119 individual, least with a girth class of 80-100 cm 
with 5 individuals. Whereas the highest biomass 335.88 t/ha with 312 individuals. (Figure 3).May be reduction in 
loss of water in the stem biomass. Haripriya [42] Biomass per hectare based on aboveground large scale 
inventories analysis rages from 14 to 210 Mg/ha. According to Chaturvedi, et al. [43] carbon density ranging 
from 15.6 to 151 t-C ha-1 in tropical dry forests of India, but at the global level the aboveground carbon density in 
dry forest it varies between 14 and 123 t-C ha-1, as noticed by Murphy and Lugo [44] based on the girth class it 
varies from 10 -200 cm carbon stock for 0.14 ha 0.83 to 23.05 tons. Carbon stock is not dependent on biomass but 
independent on the basal area. (Table 1).Newbery and Gartlan [45] changes in species diameter used as an 
indicator of population changing structure. The present study is in agreement as the mined area indicates the 
different girth class from 10 to > 200 cm the anthropogenic perturbation changes the forest structure its basal area 
and biomass varies with a number of active individuals (Table 2). 

A different diameter class indicates the resource utilization by the growing forest, Krebs [46]. The different 
age class in the present study shows the partition of resources like water, soil, sunlight, canopy and changing strata 
due to mining, girth class of 20-30 cm with a 312individual had more carbon stock with less biomass than 40-50 cm 
girth class had less carbon holding capacity this directly attributes the significance species composition and abiotic 
factors. (Figure 4).  The high carbon storage is recorded especially through raising plantations in Indian forests 
(e.g. [47-50]). But the natural species composition and structure cannot be matched or compared with the  man-
made plantation hence we need to know species composition, structure, biomass and carbon stock capacity in the 
small patches of the forest even though disturbed by humans as it helps in rehabilitation based on species growth 
pattern and geographical features.  

The Land Use and Carbon Sequestration Model (LUCS) model and estimated that under a regular plantation 
forestry scenario in India, 7 Pg of carbon would be sequestered between 2000 and 2050 by Suruchi and Roma [47]. 
In the estimation of long term, large permanent plots the small forest patches contribution of carbon stock is 
unnoticed as in the present study indicates the contribution of different girth class carbon holding capacity. (Table 

4). Lal and Singh [51] found that the difference in biomass productivity of natural forest cover (1.1 Mg ha−1yr−1) 

and plantations (3.2 Mg ha−1yr−1), the carbon sequestration potential was in the range of 1.1 and 2.7 Pg C, 
respectively, by the years 2020 and 2045 (cumulative carbon uptake from the atmosphere). 

The major deterrent characters of carbon stock are tree species, climate, age, size class distribution etc [52, 
53]. Small patches of forest, as well as disturbed and partially mined forest ecosystem, shows their real vegetation 
if assessed and documented helps in having a basic database to understand the future consequences.  

Pearson correlation analysis indicates a positive relationship with a diameter at breast height with the basal 
area and with basal area and biomass (Figures 5a and b), .the similar observation is noticed from, Sundarapandian, 
et al. [31]. Whereas biomass and carbon stock had a strong positive relationship as well as diameter at breast 
height with carbon stock shows a strong positive relationship similar observation has been recorded in other 
tropical forests [54, 55]. The carbon sequestration capacity is high in plantation than in natural forests is due to 
better silvicultural management practices [50]. If the forest ecosystems are better managed based on disturbance 
gradient probably we can achieve better species composition, biomass and carbon sequestration with an innovative 
restoration practice in the coming future.  
 

6. Conclusion  
Generally, when land is surface-mined, the entire forest including shrub layer, tree canopy, rootstocks, seed 

pools, animals, and microorganisms is removed. After mining, the forest takes enough time to restore to its original 
function and structure through a series of a process called forest succession. On exploration of floristic diversity to 
know the abandoned mined (affected) area. We found some species are thriving well; the abandoned mined area 
need eco protection from tree logging, domestic animal grazing. There is an urgent need to monitor, the diversity, 
distribution of native, exotic, herbs, shrubs, grasses, creepers, lianas and faunal diversity of birds and animals of the 
area with phenological observation [56] to know how they are coping with disturbances will help in forest 
restoration success in India and elsewhere. 
 

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