Density, population structure and ethnobotanical uses of a medicinally important vulnerable tree (IUCN) in tropical forests of Javadhu hills, South India

A quantitative ecological study was conducted to record density, population structure and ethnobotanical uses of Chloroxylon swietenia, one of the IUCN's vulnerable tree species. The study conducted in Javadhu hills, a part of southern Eastern Ghats in India. All individuals of Chloroxylon swietenia (Rutaceae) >10 cm diameter at breast height (DBH) were measured at 137 cm above the ground in 10 ha area covering all the altitudes of study area. Uses in six-use categories viz. construction, food, medicine, technology, firewood and other uses recorded through personal interviews with 100 informants including traditional healers and tribal community people. Density (trees ha⁻¹), abundance, basal area (m² ha⁻¹) and population structure recorded. A total of 538 individuals (>10 cm DBH) and 16.995 m² basal area recorded. On an average, 4.4±2.17 (mean±SD) times mo⁻¹C. swietenia was brought to the informant's home for various uses. The study found Javadhu hill as a home for large number of C. swietenia.