Biodiversity indices of Noctuid Moths in various conifer forests of Himachal Pradesh
Paper Details
Biodiversity indices of Noctuid Moths in various conifer forests of Himachal Pradesh
Abstract
Lepidoptera is probably one of the most suitable groups for most quantitative comparisons especially their abundance and species richness. Moths were found to be a potentially useful indicator of biodiversity. The main objective of the study was to assess biodiversity health of conifer forests by using moths as indicator species. Quantitative estimates of species diversity, evenness and richness in different locations were made. Noctuid moths were collected from different parts of Himachal Pradesh during 2012-2014. A total number of 1348 noctuid moth specimens were collected by using light traps. During the study, a total of 103 species were collected from five different conifer forest spread over 10 localities of Himachal Pradesh. Regarding different forests it was found that maximum species diversity was found in year 2014 (3.22), followed by 2013 (2.97) and finally 2012 (2.80); maximum species evenness was found in the year 2014 (2.12), followed by year 2012 (2.08) and finally 2013 (1.99); maximum species richness was found in year 2014 (16.25), followed by 2013 (15.37) and finally 2012 (13.9). Regarding different localities, it was found that year 2014 showed maximum values with Species diversity: 2.65; Species evenness: 2.11; Species richness: 10.24 followed by year 2013 with Species diversity: 2.54; Species evenness: 2.08; Species richness: 8.72 and then 2012 with Species diversity: 2.03; Species evenness: 1.69; Species richness: 8.26. The rich abundance in Chirpine forest was due to diversified fruit crop ecosystem. In this experimental finding conclude that species found in Chirpine forest predict immediate protective measures to conserve forest ecosystem.
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