Stand structure, regeneration potential and biomass carbon stock of subtropical forest of Mizoram, northeast India

The present study deals with tree community attributes such as species diversity, composition, population structure and biomass carbon stock (above-and below ground) of subtropical forest of Lalsavunga Park, Mizoram, Northeast India. A total of 41 tree species (37 genera and 29 families) were recorded from the study area. Moraceae was the most dominant family contributing 10% of the total family recorded in the area. The dominant species were Engelhardia spicata, Litsea cubeba, Macaranga peltata, Nyssa javanica and Schima wallichi. These dominant species together contributed 60% of the total species in the forest area. The total tree density (individuals ha^-1) and basal area (m² ha^-1) in the forest was 784 and 53.36 respectively. The diversity indices such as Shannon diversity index and Simpson dominance index were 3.48 and 0.04 respectively. The present study showed that 37% of the species exhibited good regeneration whereas 17% of species exhibited poor regeneration. About 80% of the plant species followed clumped distribution pattern in the study area. The total tree biomass and carbon stock recorded in the present study were 314 Mg ha^-1 and 147.53 Mg C ha^-1, respectively. Young trees (belonging to 10- 60 cm girth class) contributed 41% of the total tree biomass. The findings of the present study will serve as baseline information that can be used by forest managers and policy makers to develop strategies for conservation, climate mitigation by enhancing vegetation carbon stock and sustainable use of forest resources of Mizoram, Northeast India.