TREE CENSUS &
INVENTORY
REPORT OF PANVEL
TREE CENSUS AND MEGA CITY FOR
WADHWA
INVENTORY REPORT CONSTRUCTION &
INFRASTRUCTURE
LTD.
Ecobasics Ecology Consultancy and Pvt. Ltd. - Tree Census and inventory report April 29, 2013
Contents
1.0 Introduction 2
1.1 Background 2
1.2 Location of the project: 2
1.3 Tree and Tree census: 3
2.0 Scope of the study 3
2.1 Objectives 3
2.2 Materials and Methodology 3
Sampling methodology 3
Identification of Tree species 4
Technology used 4
2.3 Parameters covered during the study 5
2.4 How to use the data provided with this report 6
3.0 Observations 7
3.1 Trees in count 7
3.2 Total tree species in count 11
3.3 Total tree families in count 12
3.4 Girth class of Trees 12
3.5 Deciduous and Evergreen tree species 13
3.6 Basal area 14
3.7 Importance Value Index (IVI) of the site 14
3.8 Diversity Index of the site 15
3.9 Ecologically important species 15
3.10 Summary of Observations 16
4.0 Annexures 17
4.1 Annexure 1 17
4.2 Annexure 2 17
4.3 Annexure 3: 20
4.4 Annexure 4: Ecologically important species 26
5.0 Photo feature 29
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Ecobasics Ecology Consultancy and Pvt. Ltd. - Tree Census and inventory report April 29, 2013
Tree census and inventory report for
MITTIC site in Panvel
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background
The present document is a Tree census and inventory report of the Mega City project of M/s. Wadhwa
Construction and Infrastructure Limited near Panvel city in Raigad district.
The study was commissioned to Ecobasics Ecology Consultancy and Services Pvt. Ltd. in order to quantify,
map and to create an inventory of Tree species in the actual area i.e. core area of the proposed project.
The objectives of this study were to provide an assessment of Tree species diversity, population (census)
and distribution in the given area. The study also evaluated the present status of Tree individuals and their
importance. The study gives a detailed account of Tree diversity, health status, density, distribution and
their locations by using GIS and mapping tool.
1.2 Location of the project:
The project site is located in the district of Raigad and is approximately 12-15 kms from the city of Panvel.
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Ecobasics Ecology Consultancy and Pvt. Ltd. - Tree Census and inventory report April 29, 2013
1.3 Tree and Tree census
The present document considers definition of Tree with respect to Tree Act 1975, as perennial woody plant
with girth and height of 10 cm and 2 mts. respectively.
For the present study, the tree census was carried out by using modern GIS tools to create a more efficient,
portable and comfortable database of tree species.
The tree census is an important scientific, technical, and educational effort. The results enable us to
characterize the tree population in terms of its structure, function, and value. This information is used in a
variety of ways, including:
Management: Enables daily and strategic decision-making based on the composition,
condition and distribution of trees.
Planning: Tracking the changes that have occurred in the landscape and predicting or
analysing the changes / impacts that the proposed project will have on the landscape.
Mitigation: Understanding of number, diversity and density of trees helps in developing
appropriate mitigation measures.
2.0 Scope of the study
2.1 Objectives
1. To make an inventory of tree individuals and tree species in the proposed project site
2. To create a distribution / vegetation map of the whole area representing Tree individuals
3. To undertake ecological analysis and calculate the following:
a. IVI (Importance Value Index calculation)
i. Frequency and relative frequency
ii. Density and relative density
iii. Dominance and relative dominance
b. Simpson’s biodiversity Index calculation
4. Assessment of species protected by specific legislation (Rare, endangered, critically endangered,
endemic and vulnerable)
5. To enumerate importance of the Tree species/individuals observed
2.2 Materials and Methodology
Sampling methodology
Since the purpose of the project was to create a detailed inventory of Tree individuals and species, the
“Census” was used as a sampling technique. In total, 571, acres of the project site were surveyed and each
tree was counted and marked on a GPS device. The data collection was done from all units in the population
and a 'complete enumeration' of the population was done. The census technique was specifically used to
collect accurate information of the population.
Some inaccessible locations on mountainous tracks/valleys were surveyed by using strategic
representative belt transects. The data from the representative belt transect was extrapolated to the areas
where it was not possible to reach.
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Ecobasics Ecology Consultancy and Pvt. Ltd. - Tree Census and inventory report April 29, 2013
Identification of Tree species
Most of the tree species encountered were identified on field on the basis of their morphological characters
- Bark shape, texture, and colour, Leaves- shape, size, texture, colour, arrangement, flower and fruit colour,
shape, size, internal morphology, odour and arrangement of reproductive features. Morphological
characteristics were used to identify the Tree species to the species level. The Flora of Maharashtra, and
Bombay Presidency were used as references and online database of The International Plant Names Index
(IPNI) was used to find out the latest and acceptable international scientific name of the Tree species.
Some of the Tree species that could not be identified on field were collected or photographed for off-field
analysis. The Tree species that could not be identified due to lack of morphological signs/characteristics
were grouped in to the Un-Identified section (subjected to identification in another season).
Technology used
GPS device along with the Tree mapping software of Trimble make was used to take GPS positioning of
each tree individuals and to caporal structural parameters. ArcGIS was used as platform to create GIS based
maps.
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Ecobasics Ecology Consultancy and Pvt. Ltd. - Tree Census and inventory report April 29, 2013
Figure 1: The Google earth data base: Information chart appears once the cursor is placed on the tree icon
3.0 Observations
3.1 Trees in count
The census study was carried out during the month of April- 2013 to create an inventory of Tree species.
During the study, a total of 13053 trees were mapped and measured. Of the 13053 individuals counted, 53
were dead.
The 13052 number of Trees that were observed during the survey belonged to 99 species and 40 families.
There were few areas in the project location which were had fewer number of trees while there are few
forested regions which had trees in large numbers and were densely covered by Tree species.
The overall survey area was divided in to the 5 following sections on the basis of population of Trees:
1. Orchards
2. Mountainous and forested areas
3. Agricultural land with mixed tree species
4. Agricultural land
5. Agricultural land with no tree species
It can be seen from the below given map that there are several sections in the study area which are low in
density and diversity of Tree species.
Most of the tree individuals observed was in the forested areas which amount to be approximately 138
acres.
Maximum number of the tree species is forest based and native species. Also, most of these dominated
species are restricted in the forested patches only. The trees observed in the agricultural zones are less in
diversity and mostly dominated by Bombax cieba (kate savar).
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Ecobasics Ecology Consultancy and Pvt. Ltd. - Tree Census and inventory report April 29, 2013
List of Tree individual as observed along with their Longitude and Latitude positions, Girth, Height, Health
status, Importance is attached in the Annexure 1 of this report.
Also, a Google earth compatible KML file is provided as a soft copy.
The GPS positioned of all the tree individuals observed in the study is super imposed on the AutoCAD map
of the project. The soft copy of this superimposed file is provided.
Figure 2: Distribution of Trees in the mountainous zones
Figure 3: Trees in other sections
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Ecobasics Ecology Consultancy and Pvt. Ltd. - Tree Census and inventory report April 29, 2013
Figure 4: The project area divided in to zones on the basis of Tree population
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Ecobasics Ecology Consultancy and Pvt. Ltd. - Tree Census and inventory report April 29, 2013
Figure 5: Tree map of the study area
Figure 6: Tree map of the whole area as laid out on the Google earth
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