STRUCTURES OF THE TROPICAL DRY DECIDUOUS TEAK (<em>TECTONA</em> <em>GRANDIS</em>) FORESTS OF SATPURA PLATEAU (INDIA) WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON REGENERATION AND DISTURBANCE

Abstract

Comparative quantitative structures and regeneration behaviours of important tree species of three sites in the tropical dry deciduous teak forest of South Chhindwara Division (Sillevani Range) of Satpura Plateau (Central India) were analysed. Sites III and I were the least and highly disturbed sites respectively. Three communities were identified, namely, Tectona grandis-Lagerstroemia parviflora-Sterculia urens (site I), T. grandis-Diospyros melanoxylan-Butea monosperma-Miliusa tomentosa (site II) and T. grandis-Chloroxylon swietenia-L. parviflora-D. melanoxylon (site III). The mean stand density (plants 100 m^-2) ranged between 6.9 (site I) and 16.30 (site III) for trees; 19.99 (site I) and 38.87 (site III) for shrubs; and 13 816 (site II) and 25 600 (site I) for herbaceous layer, whereas the total basal cover (cm2 100 m^-2) ranged between 956 (site III) and 1555 (site I) for trees; 21 (site II) and 54 (site III) for shrubs; and 561 (site II) and 2803 (site I) for herbs. Shannon-Weiner index ranged between 1.485 (site III) and 2.064 (site II). Minimum tree diversity was recorded at the least disturbed site. The same was true for herb and shrubs diversity. Concentration of dominance showed a reverse trend to diversity index. The disturbance magnitude had an adverse effect on teak regeneration.