Twinkal, S. Patel, L.K. Behera, R.P. Gunaga, M.B. Tandel, S.K. Sinha, S.M. Patel, Minal H. Patel and C.A. Dholariya
Abstract
This study was carried out with intent on the current ecological status of the economically important, yet locally declining tree species Soymida febrifuga within the Tropical Moist Deciduous Forest of Vyara, South Gujarat, India. A selective sampling method was employed by laying out sample plots of 20 m à 20 m (400 m²) in total of 18 populations where areas with a good density of mature trees were distributed. The assessment included species composition, family distribution, Importance Value Index (IVI), natural regeneration and regeneration classes. Across 18 natural populations, Fabaceae is the most dominant family, contributing 10 species, which accounts for 27.02 per cent of the total recorded flora. Moreover, S. febrifuga signifies its ecological importance with higher IVI of 49.41 along with Terminalia tomentosa and Tectona grandis. Natural regeneration of S. febrifuga was monitored for two years and observed only one population, P3 recorded natural regeneration with 38 seedlings in the first year and 30 in the second out of three populations studied. Moreover, regeneration class distribution was predominantly confined to Class I and Class II with no individuals recorded in Class III and IV.