Sacred groves (SGs), besides their cultural-spiritual and traditional values, perform various ecological function and roles, which highlights their conservation principles. These SGs are least explored in terms of their distribution, ecological performance, and site-specific exploration of vegetation attributes, highlighting their significance under the changing climate and genetic erosion of bio-resources. Hence, the present study was carried out to bridge this gap by exploring the phytosociological attributes, diversity, biomass, and carbon (C) stock of SGs in the Jashpur region of Chhattisgarh. Field sampling and phytosociological studies were carried out in 26 SGs using a quadrat of 20 × 20 m. The SGs were selected as per availability and were classified based on their size (small < 1 acre; medium > 1 to < 3 acre, and large > 3-acre size). The density and basal area among different SGs varied from 420 to 760 individuals ha− 1 and 28.11–38.72 m2 ha− 1, respectively. The SGs reflected an average species richness of 3.81 and tree density of 651 individuals ha− 1. The research also applied ecological measures such as Shannon Wiener diversity (0.3–2.9) and Simpson Index (0.15–0.9) to describe the diversity and structure of the communities of these groves. The results showed large differences in biomass with an average aboveground biomass of 246.36 t ha− 1, belowground biomass of 124.15 t ha− 1, and total biomass of 370.52 t ha− 1. Sacred groves were also found to store C, with a mean total C stock of 152.99 t ha− 1, which is very high. The CO2 equivalent value of SGs varied from 418.89 to 647.76 t ha− 1, being lowest and highest respectively in SGs 3 (Ara) and SGs 2 (Echkela). Shorea robusta contributed approximately 20% of total aboveground biomass, followed by Terminalia tomentosa (about 5%), while other species i.e. Adina cordifolia and Dalbergia paniculata, contributed between 3 and 4%. The results reveal the potential of SGs in biomass allocation, C stock, and CO2 mitigation, besides the socio-cultural value of the SGs. The species having good biomass, C stock, and CO2 mitigation values can be utilized for reforestation and afforestation programs in the area or having similar site conditions. Hence, the present work reflects both ecological and socio-cultural biodiversity value along with the importance of conservation of SGs as a strategy for combating climate change.

Phytosociology and carbon dynamics of sacred groves: a case study from Jashpur (C.G.), India

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发表日期：

2026年3月19日

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Jaimangal Tirkey,
Manoj Kumar Jhariya,
Lalji Singh,
Arnab Banerjee,
Piyusha Yadav,
J. S. Singh

摘要

Sacred groves (SGs), besides their cultural-spiritual and traditional values, perform various ecological function and roles, which highlights their conservation principles. These SGs are least explored in terms of their distribution, ecological performance, and site-specific exploration of vegetation attributes, highlighting their significance under the changing climate and genetic erosion of bio-resources. Hence, the present study was carried out to bridge this gap by exploring the phytosociological attributes, diversity, biomass, and carbon (C) stock of SGs in the Jashpur region of Chhattisgarh. Field sampling and phytosociological studies were carried out in 26 SGs using a quadrat of 20 × 20 m. The SGs were selected as per availability and were classified based on their size (small < 1 acre; medium > 1 to < 3 acre, and large > 3-acre size). The density and basal area among different SGs varied from 420 to 760 individuals ha^− 1 and 28.11–38.72 m² ha^− 1, respectively. The SGs reflected an average species richness of 3.81 and tree density of 651 individuals ha^− 1. The research also applied ecological measures such as Shannon Wiener diversity (0.3–2.9) and Simpson Index (0.15–0.9) to describe the diversity and structure of the communities of these groves. The results showed large differences in biomass with an average aboveground biomass of 246.36 t ha^− 1, belowground biomass of 124.15 t ha^− 1, and total biomass of 370.52 t ha^− 1. Sacred groves were also found to store C, with a mean total C stock of 152.99 t ha^− 1, which is very high. The CO₂ equivalent value of SGs varied from 418.89 to 647.76 t ha^− 1, being lowest and highest respectively in SGs 3 (Ara) and SGs 2 (Echkela). Shorea robusta contributed approximately 20% of total aboveground biomass, followed by Terminalia tomentosa (about 5%), while other species i.e. Adina cordifolia and Dalbergia paniculata, contributed between 3 and 4%. The results reveal the potential of SGs in biomass allocation, C stock, and CO₂ mitigation, besides the socio-cultural value of the SGs. The species having good biomass, C stock, and CO₂ mitigation values can be utilized for reforestation and afforestation programs in the area or having similar site conditions. Hence, the present work reflects both ecological and socio-cultural biodiversity value along with the importance of conservation of SGs as a strategy for combating climate change.