Deforestation Pattern and Its Impacts on Tree Species Richness in Karbi Anglong District of Assam, India

An attempt has been made to study the deforestation patterns in dominant deciduous forest types in Karbi Anglong district of Assam state. Landsat TM and IRS LISS III satellite imagery of years 1988, 1998, 2007, and 2016 were digitally classified using a k-mean classifier, and the pattern of deforestation and forest cover loss was computed. By considering the transitional probability of conversion of forest to non-forest in the last two decades, future forest cover loss was predicted for the year 2025 using the cellular automata technique. Further, the tree species-area relationship for deciduous and evergreen forest types was determined based on the DOS-DBT biodiversity project field inventory plot data (which belongs to the 1997–2000 period). Considering the differential patterns of clearing, the probable loss of tree species in the area was predicted. The annual deforestation rate in Karbi Anglong was 0.63% observed between 1988 to 2016 and 0.21% predicted for 2016 to 2025. Deciduous forests were found to sustain a rich diversity, hosting up to 132 tree species. Additionally, the study noted that deforestation in Karbi Anglong resulted in the depletion of six tree species. To mitigate deforestation in the Karbi Anglong district, implementing proactive conservation measures is crucial. This may involve targeted afforestation initiatives and sustainable land management practices, guided by the identified tree species-area relationships and an awareness of the differential patterns of clearing observed in the region.