Population structure and diversity of trees in Amarkutir, A tropical dry deciduous forest of West Bengal, India

Present study analyzed the population structure and species diversity of tree layer in Amarkutir, a tropical dry deciduous forest of Sriniketan-Santiniketan lateritic patch in Birbhum district of West Bengal. A total of 295 individuals belonging to 14 species were recorded, out of which 221 individuals had diameter ranging between 1–10 cm indicating that the forest is in under-mature condition. Acacia auriculiformis was the dominant tree species and Shorea robusta present co-dominantly. All the tree species showed clumped distribution. Shannon's diversity index of the tree species was 2.46. Simpson's index indicated absence of dominance by single or few species. Highest family index value (FIV) was exhibited by Mimosaceae (104.73) followed by Dipterocarpaceae (46.4), whereas Flacourtiaceae (7.62) was the least represented family.