Population Structure and Regeneration of Mahua (Madhuca longifolia Var. latifolia (Roxb.) A. Chev.) in Disturbed and Undisturbed Sites

The knowledge of stand structure, demography and regeneration play a vital role in conservation and management of forest genetic resources. Anthropogenic pressure may lead to change in the composition and structure of forest population. Mahua, Madhuca longifolia var. latifolia is one such species that has ecological and economical value in the country and having more pressure for its resources like seed and flowers. Study was conducted in the natural forest population of Mahua situated in two different ecological regions viz., southern Gujarat and south-eastern Gujarat. In each region, undisturbed and disturbed sites were demarcated and structure of these populations and natural regeneration were determined. The stand structure measured in terms of composition, density, frequency, basal area and importance value index resulted in differ among two ecological regions in Gujarat; however, such inferences between undisturbed and disturbed sites within a region resulted in fair differences. Tectona grandis and Terminalia tomentosa represented commonly in disturbed and undisturbed sites of Southern Gujarat along with Mahua (Madhuca longifolia var. latifolia); however, in south-eastern region, only Mahua is dominated. Age structure shows that there was a uneven pattern in distribution of Mahua individuals in studied sites, where young juveniles (<100 cm girth) were completely absent. Regeneration data revealed that, in undisturbed site, regeneration count was almost three times more as compared to disturbed sites. Study addresses the need of management intervention for conservation of Mahua genetic resources in India and particularly in Gujarat.