Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest Research Articles

Quantifying soil erosion and soil organic carbon conservation services in indian forests: A RUSLE-SDR and GIS-based assessment

Indian forests, having sixteen types of vegetation, provide various ecosystem services. Forests reduce water erosion of soil, reduce floods and conserve low river flow during dry seasons. Present study estimated annual sedimentation, texture, soil organic carbon control service of forests of India using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) and Sediment Delivery Ratio (SDR) approach through GIS technique along with identifying important drivers responsible for erosion in forests. The soil erosion control service was based on five factors viz., rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility, slope, crop management, conservation practice factor and SDR across the various forest dominated river basins. Geo-detector modelling was performed to evaluate environmental drivers responsible for soil erosion. Valuation of soil control service of the India’s forests was estimated based on damage and replacement cost method. Annual soil loss rate was maximum in Tropical Thorn Forest and in Ganga River basin. Maximum sediment control and SOC conservation against the soil erosion control service by India’ forests were due to Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest with a total annual sedimentation control and SOC conservation of 33,056,560 tonnes and 3,31,115.06 tonnes, respectively. The conservative estimate of the economic value of soil conservation service by the forests of India was US$ 535.6 M with an average of 4.40 US$ ha−1 and a maximum share of value for Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest i.e. 294.18 million US$ and average maximum value for Littoral and Swamp Forest (28.91 US$ ha−1). The soil erosion in Tropical and Sub-tropical Forest was influenced by the interactive effects between NDVI and Bulk Density. In contrast, soil erosion in the temperate and alpine area was influenced by anthropogenic activity in combination with climatic factors. Present study accounts the role of India’s forests for the soil conservation service and may provide inputs to implement forest and reservoir management strategies besides providing information for Integrated Watershed management and Catchment Treatment Plans.

Effect of invasive species on forest composition in tropical dry forest: a case study of invasion by Gliricidia sepium

Ecological concerns caused by biological invasion have been considered an inevitable threat to global sustainability. The superior competitive ability of invasive plant species (IPS) has an impact on vegetation composition and loss of native flora. Recognising IPS at an early stage would significantly contribute to controlling invasive plants, protecting biodiversity and formulating appropriate strategies. Most of the studies available on invasive plants are descriptive and largely confined to non-woody species. The present study focused on the alien Gliricidia sepium, a tree species, to determine the invasive potential of its distribution in tropical dry deciduous forests of Central India. Forty square plots (25 × 25 m) were laid out at each uninvaded and invaded forest to enumerate phytosociological attributes to determine the impact of G. sepium on vegetation composition and community structure. Higher density (37.2 individuals ha−1), basal area (6.32 m2 ha−1) and importance value index (95.8) contributed by G. sepium clearly showed the suppression of seedlings, saplings and trees of native forest species at the invaded sites in terms of species richness, cover and other attributes as compared to at the uninvaded sites. Further, other invasive attributes such as higher seed production, dieback phenomenon, higher coppicing power and higher growth rate as observed during the study clearly affirmed the early speculation that the species might be invasive. The species has a strong potential to spread vigorously and may gradually become invasive throughout the country as already reported from various parts of India. In the present study area, G. sepium was introduced due to restoration and plantation programmes and our findings indicate its negative impact on the native vegetation. Thus, we strongly recommend the avoidance of this species for both plantation and restoration programmes, especially for Indian forests. The study helps in early recognition and rapid monitoring of G. sepium to control its spread throughout the country.

Phytosociology and Stand Structure of Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest of Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary, Jharkhand, Eastern India

Assessing the composition and structure of ecosystems is of the utmost importance for the conservation of forests. Tree species diversity, distribution pattern and stand structure provide baseline information for conservation and management of the forest. The present study was conducted in the Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary to assess the diversity, composition, richness and stand structure. Standard sampling method was used for vegetation sampling and data collection. An aggregate of 2876 individuals belonging to 41 species, 34 genera and 22 families were identified from 2.5 ha sampling area. The sanctuary recorded tree density of 1151 ind./ha with a total basal area of 510.807 sq. m. Analysis of IVI value revealed that S. robusta (65.207), B. cochinchinensis (22.451), A. latifolia (18.071), T. tomentosa (15.604) and D. melanoxylon (12.449) were the dominant tree species in the sanctuary. The family Fabaceae was the most species-rich family with 9 species. Over 70% of tree species showed contiguous distribution pattern in the studied area. The sanctuary recorded diversity index (H') of 3.204, richness index (R') of 4.504 and evenness index (E) of 0.863. The stand structure indicates a natural satisfactory regeneration and healthy population in the studied forest areas. Density-girth class distribution showed that more than 75% of the total population was dominated by seedlings and saplings. The research findings suggests that the sanctuary is an ecolologically rich site with an expanding population. An efffective management and conservation strategy will ensure a sustained biodiversity and richness of this protected site.

Ecological Assessment of Restored Rock Phosphate Mine Spoils in the Maldevta Area of Garhwal Himalayas

This research explores the complex interaction between vegetation restoration and soil recovery, with a particular focus on the ecological restoration of an area in Maldevta, Garhwal Himalayas, that was once mined. The Himalayan ecology, which is abundant in minerals and biodiversity, is under a great deal of stress from mining, building roads, and grazing. The research area experienced open-pit mining, which degraded the soil and eliminated vegetation from what had once been a tropical dry mixed deciduous forest. Analyzing the restored soil's physical and chemical properties reveals a varied profile that affects fertility, structure, and nutrient composition. The loamy sand is made up of different percentages of sand (72.4%), silt (16.96%), and clay (9.89%). The chemical characteristics of the soil include potassium (5.10%), phosphorus (0.33%), nitrogen (0.042%), and electrical conductivity (EC) of 0.21 ohms/cm. The pH of the soil is 7.80. Employing the quadrat method for vegetation analysis, the study underscores the dominance of key plant species like Lantana camara, Mallotus philippensis, and Bombax ceiba in the restored ecosystem. The results demonstrate how restoration initiatives improve soil conditions, vegetation structure, and species diversity. By highlighting the crucial relationship between soil and vegetation dynamics, this study adds insightful information that can improve the effectiveness of ecological restoration projects. The work supports the long-term establishment of self-sustaining ecosystems by offering a thorough grasp of the intricate biological mechanisms leading to the rehabilitation of degraded landscapes in the fragile Himalayan region.

Decoding seasonal changes: soil parameters and microbial communities in tropical dry deciduous forests.

In dry deciduous tropical forests, both seasons (winter and summer) offer habitats that are essential ecologically. How these seasonal changes affect soil properties and microbial communities is not yet fully understood. This study aimed to investigate the influence of seasonal fluctuations on soil characteristics and microbial populations. The soil moisture content dramatically increases in the summer. However, the soil pH only gradually shifts from acidic to slightly neutral. During the summer, electrical conductivity (EC) values range from 0.62 to 1.03 ds m-1, in contrast to their decline in the winter. The levels of soil macronutrients and micronutrients increase during the summer, as does the quantity of soil organic carbon (SOC). A two-way ANOVA analysis reveals limited impacts of seasonal fluctuations and specific geographic locations on the amounts of accessible nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Moreover, dehydrogenase, nitrate reductase, and urease activities rise in the summer, while chitinase, protease, and acid phosphatase activities are more pronounced in the winter. The soil microbes were identified in both seasons through 16S rRNA and ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) gene sequencing. Results revealed Proteobacteria and Ascomycota as predominant bacterial and fungal phyla. However, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Burkholderia are dominant bacterial genera, and Aspergillus, Alternaria, and Trichoderma are dominant fungal genera in the forest soil samples. Dominant bacterial and fungal genera may play a role in essential ecosystem services such as soil health management and nutrient cycling. In both seasons, clear relationships exist between soil properties, including pH, moisture, iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and microbial diversity. Enzymatic activities and microbial shift relate positively with soil parameters. This study highlights robust soil-microbial interactions that persist mainly in the top layers of tropical dry deciduous forests in the summer and winter seasons. It provides insights into the responses of soil-microbial communities to seasonal changes, advancing our understanding of ecosystem dynamics and biodiversity preservation.

Assessment of Aboveground Biomass in a Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest Using PRISMA Data

Assessment of Aboveground Biomass in a Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest Using PRISMA Data

Measurable impacts of climate change on biodiversity and livelihoods in the tropical dry deciduous forest of Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh, India

This study investigates the measurable impacts of climate change on biodiversity and livelihoods within the tropical dry deciduous forest of Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh, India. With climate change emerging as a significant global concern, its effects on delicate ecosystems like the tropical dry deciduous forest are of paramount importance. Through a combination of field surveys, data analysis, and community engagement, an evaluation was conducted on the changes in vegetation and the impact on local livelihoods resulting from shifting climatic patterns. The findings underscore the critical need for adaptive strategies to mitigate the adverse consequences of climate change on both biodiversity and the well-being of local communities in this region.

Environmental management: a country-level evaluation of atmospheric particulate matter removal by the forests of India.

Particulate matter (PM) is a critical air pollutant, responsible for an array of ailments leading to premature mortality worldwide. Nature-based solutions for mitigation of PM and especially role of forests in mitigating PM from an ecosystem perspective are less explored. Forests provide a natural pollution abatement strategy by providing a surface area for the deposition of PM. Depending on their structure and composition, forests have varying capacities for PM adsorption, which is again less explored. Hence, in the present study, we evaluate the removal capacity of PM by the forest-type groups of India. Deposition flux and total PM removal across sixteen forest types were estimated based on the 2019 dataset of PM using Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA-2) data. Externality values and PM removal costs by industrial equipment were used for associating an economic value to the air pollution abatement service by forests. The total PM2.5 removal by forests in 2019 was estimated to be 1361.28 tons and PM10 was estimated to be 303,658.27 tons. Deposition of PM was found to be high in littoral and swamp forests, tropical semi-evergreen forests, tropical moist deciduous forests, and sub-tropical pine forests. Tropical dry deciduous forests had the highest net weight % removal of PM with 39% removal for PM2.5 and 39% removal for PM10. The air pollution abatement service by forests for PM removal was 188 M US dollars (USD) with externality-based removal service by forests of 2009 M USD. The net PM removed by all forests of India was estimated to be approximately worth ₹ 470-648 Crore (59-81 million dollars) for PM2.5 and worth ₹56,746-1,22,617 Crore (7093-15,327 million dollars) for PM10 based on valuation using value transfer method. The study concludes that forests can be a significant contributor to PM reduction at a global level. Especially for India's National Clean Air Programme and further research and policy considerations, the findings would be extremely useful.

An Ethnobotanical Study of Important Woody Medicinal Plants of Jalaun District of Bundelkhand Region

The present investigation deals with the folk knowledge of important woody medicinal plants species that are used by the rural folks of the five sites of Jalaun district of Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh, India for the management of different kinds of ailments, found in these sites. The majority of the common vegetation in the Jalaun district is represented by tropical dry deciduous forest and scrub thorn forest. The ethnobotanical investigation revealed 51 woody plant species belonging to 46 genera and 31 families. In this investigation Caesalpiniaceae (5 sp.) was the dominant family followed by Mimosaceae, Moraceae (4 sp. each), Apocynaceae, Boraginaceae and Fabaceae (3 sp. each). Acacia catechu, Acacia nilotica, Azadirachta indica, Albizia lebbeck, Bauhinia variegata, Calotropis gigantea, Terminalia arjuna, Aegle marmelos, Justicia adhatoda, Ziziphus mauritiana and Dalbergia sissoo were the most common plant species in the district. The investigation reveals that there is not any involvement of younger generation in this research so such knowledge is at the risk of disappearance in the future.

Recurrent forest fires, emission of atmospheric pollutants (GHGs) and degradation of tropical dry deciduous forest ecosystem services

Forest fires threaten to biodiversity, ecosystem productivity, multiple ecosystem services, and it influences the emissions of large amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This scientific study has been conducted at Ayodhya hill range of dry deciduous forest of Chota Nagpur plateau (India).The principal objectives of this research are (1) to measure the terrestrial ecosystem productivity by Vegetation Photosynthesis Model (VPM); (2) to estimate the greenhouse gases (GHGs) emission through forest fire following IPCC guidelines; and (3) to quantify the ecosystem service value and degradation of ecosystem services (ESs) by specific indices and focus group discussions (FGDs). Results show that biophysical, climatic and environmental factors notably affect the growth of ESs. A significant reduction of net primary production (NPP) and biomass has been measured in fire month (100.71 and 223.59 gC m−2 month−1) and values of spectral indices also show negative trend during fire month (-0.1279 to −0.2104) respectively. Total 294.15 g, 1.44 g, 21.03 g, 0.0099 g and 0.0231 g of CO2, CH4, CO, NO2, and NOX have been emitted respectively through forest fire from this hill range during forest burning period (March 2021). This study also revealed that average (18.50%) forest dependency or relative forest income (RFI) has been fallen in the recent years due to recurrent forest fires, execution of different developmental works and deforestation. The effective management of forest resources (through payment for ESs and willingness to pay approaches) is highly necessary in strengthening the rural economy and welfare of indigenous tribal people.

Woody Plant Diversity of Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest of Ranchi, Jharkhand

The study was conducted to determine the composition and diversity of three different growth stages of plant in tropical dry deciduous forest in Horhap under Mahilong Range, Ranchi during the year 2018- 2019. The entire area was divided into two sites based upon the physiographic factors. The simple random sampling procedure was followed with quadrates of 10×10 m2 for trees and saplings and 2×2 m2 quadrates for seedlings were taken. A total of 1430–1810 stems ha-1 in trees, 1080–1240 stems ha-1 in saplings and 45500–56500 stems ha-1 in seedlings were encountered. The total basal area was varied between 35.97 to 48.01 m2 ha-1 for trees, 4.67 to 5.42 m2 ha-1 for saplings and 3.78– 3.88 m2 ha-1 for seedlings. Shorea robusta showed highest value of IVI in tree sapling and seedling layers. Shannon index ranged from 2.43–2.97 for trees, 3.07–3.08 for saplings and 2.21–2.26 for seedlings. The concentration of dominance was 0.24–0.33 for trees, 0.19–0.21 for saplings and 0.37–0.4 for seedlings. Equitability ranged from 0.92–0.99 for trees, 1.0 for saplings and 0.84–0.86 for seedlings. Species richness ranged from 1.79–2.53 for trees, 2.11–2.43 for saplings and 1.19–1.21 for seedlings. However there is a need for ideal silvicultural operations and scientific approach-based management practice to retain the diversity ultimately a healthy forest ecosystem.

Tree species diversity and population structure in Tropical dry deciduous forest of Sri Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary, Southern Eastern Ghats, India.

Tree species diversity and population structure in Tropical dry deciduous forest of Sri Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary, Southern Eastern Ghats, India.

Soil bacterial diversity in the tropical dry deciduous forest of Ajodhya hills, Purulia, West Bengal

Introduction and objectiveAjodhya hill is one of the important regions of “Jungle Mahals”, a tropical dry deciduous forest with a huge number of water bodies located in Purulia, West Bengal. Soil signifies a composite ecosystem that includes a variety of microorganisms including bacteria. In this study, the bacterial diversity of soil samples from different sites of Ajodhya hill was estimated. Materials and methodsStudy sites include Ajodhya hilltop, Marble lake, Upper dam, Loharia lake, Thurga falls, and Vertical hill of Ajodhya. Soil samples from these regions were collected and different groups of bacterial populations were enumerated by colony forming unit (cfu). Physico-chemical parameters of soil samples were analysed. Results and discussionThe population of aerobic heterotopic, starch hydrolyzing, phosphate solubilizing, lipid solubilizing, nitrate reducing, spore forming, Gram-negative, and nitrifying bacteria varied from 9.43 to 12.55 × 106, 2.88 to 6.11 × 103, 6.07 to 9.23 × 103, 2.21 to 5.91 × 102,3.23 to 9.7 × 103, 6.81 to 12.30 × 105, 2.22 to 8.6 × 103, 2.7 to 8.63 × 103 cfu/g of dry soil respectively.The organic carbon content ranged from 0.39% to 0.68% in the soil sample collected. The available nitrogen, potassium, phosphate, and pH levels in the soil sample ranged from 42.55 to 144.68 mg/kg, 1661.61 to 3749.28 mg/kg, 153.37 to 349.36 mg/kg, and 5.4 to 8. Results of one-way ANOVA indicated significant variation (p < 0.05) in the bacterial population of the soil sample among the various sites. Hierarchical clustering analysis between the various bacterial groups present in the soil helped with unraveling the similitudes connecting them. The Renyi diversity index helped with understanding the diversity, richness, and evenness of the microbial population of the soil samples. ConclusionThe outcomes reveal the highest bacterial diversity in Vertical hill and the least diversity in Ajodhya hilltop. The highest value for the Berger-Parker index found on the Ajodhya hilltop shows that the dominant species represent the larger part of the entire bacterial population of the hill. This variation in the diversity of soil bacteria is due to different microhabitats present in that area from where soil samples were collected.

Spatial density patterns of herbivore response to seasonal dynamics in the tropical deciduous forest of central India

AbstractResource dynamism in seasonal forests leads ungulates to differential habitat preference; hence, their distribution aligns with environmental covariates across spatial and temporal scales. Seasonal patterns of four species of ungulates, namely sambar, chital, nilgai, and wild pig, were investigated and identified as the environmental variables driving the density gradient across two seasons, summer and winter, in the tropical dry deciduous forest of Panna Tiger Reserve, central India. Distance sampling data were analyzed using density surface modeling for ungulates with a survey effort of 518 km in winter and 356 km in summer in a generalized additive modeling framework. We found that season significantly affected the spatial densities of all ungulates, with sambar, chital, and nilgai congregating in summer and wild pig in winter. All ungulates showed a clear seasonal shift to the valley in summer and preferred plateaus in winter. The spatially explicit map outputs draw attention to the seasonal hot spots for ungulates abundance and the species and season‐specific roles of environment variables in defining their distribution. These results provide a scientific basis for direct conservation efforts to the spatially prioritized habitats for cost‐effective management interventions.

Impact of Anthropogenic Threats on Species Diversity: A Case Study of the Sub-Himalayan Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests of Pakistan

Effective forest conservation and management needs to consider ecological factors and the susceptibility of different tree species to anthropogenic activity. Dry deciduous forests in the tropics have been undervalued because of their low timber production compared to temperate and boreal forests. In order to quantify the current significance of Pakistan’s tropical dry deciduous forests in relation to ecological variables and anthropogenic threats, a broad phytosociological survey was conducted. In the study area, a total of 140 species of woody plants belonging to 52 families were identified. The cluster analysis depicts the distribution of nine plant communities in five clusters, in which Dodonaea viscosa-Acacia modesta-Dulbergia sissoo community was the most dominant community, showing cosmopolitan distribution in the study area. The results are further authenticated by DCA and CCA analyses, which indicate that altitude, precipitation, and temperature are the most important factors influencing the distribution and composition of tropical dry deciduous forests along the Himalayan foothills. In the study area, an annual fuelwood consumption of 270.38 tons was recorded. It was discovered that high-altitude forests were subject to extensive tree harvesting, overgrazing, browsing, and high fuelwood consumption. In addition, these forests have a low regeneration rate from 4.5 to 4.8 seedlings/quadrat, due to extensive human activities. Remarkable differences in the anthropogenic pressure and disturbances were found in the protected and unprotected forests. Based on our findings, we recommend that: (i) Immediate management intervention and an in-situ conservation strategy must be implemented in areas exposed to high levels of anthropogenic threats. (ii) Unsustainable grazing and fuelwood collection must be managed, and high-threat areas must be immediately prohibited. (iii) The local populace must be made aware of the grave consequences of anthropogenic disturbances, and a collaborative management strategy must be implemented.

Non-Destructive Allometric Modeling for Tree Volume Estimation in Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests of India Using Terrestrial Laser Scanner

Non-Destructive Allometric Modeling for Tree Volume Estimation in Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests of India Using Terrestrial Laser Scanner

Stand density and crown growth assessment of Anogeissus pendula Edgew in Tropical dry deciduous forests of Rajasthan (India)

The present studies were carried out to assess the stand and crown growth of Anogeissus pendula (Dhav) in tropical dry deciduous forest at Jhalawar Forest Division, Rajasthan, India. Density of each site was determined by calculating the number of trees and basal area per hectare of the site . The results revealed that the Mishroli (S 3 ) performed highest for growth parameters viz., dbh (26.20 cm), height (11.65 m), basal area (17.2 m 2 /ha), volume (37.73 m 3 /ha) and crown height (2.48 m) with lowest density (362.50 tree/ha), whereas, minimum has been observed for the same parameters at Bagher (S 1 )with highest density (535 trees/ha) and reverse is true for form factor (0.18) at above sites. Performance at Mishroli (S 3 ) has been attributed to lower density, trees of higher diameter class indicates its site as good site quality compared to others. The poor performance at S 1 was attributed to high level of disturbance as observed in field. The crown level stand structure at S 3 reported good performance for the parameters viz., crown width (8.89 m), crown length (9.46 m), crown basal area (63.62 m 2 /tree), crown index (1.07), crown percent (80.79 %), crown surface area (149.18 m 2 /tree). Crown projection ratio (44.99) and crown quotient to ground cover (3782.78) reported highest at Ghatoli (S 4 ) and minimum (34.53) and (1213.02) at Mishroli (S 3 ), due to high density level causing low mean dbh at S 4 relatively to Mishroli (S 3 ).

Ethnobotanical Survey on Trees of Seminary Hills, Nagpur (M.S.): An Approach Towards Plant Conservation

Seminary Hills (Latitude 21°9'57"North and Longitude 79°3'47" East) play an important role in maintaining ecological and environmental balance of the rapidly- growing Nagpur city. Majority of the area of Seminary Hills lie under protected forest area. Seminary Hills Forest represents the unique vegetation of tropical dry deciduous forest, and shows presence of trees like Tectona grandis L.f., Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub., Azadirachta indica A. Juss., Acacia catechu (L. f.) Willd., Anogeissus latifolia (Roxb. ex DC.) Wall. ex Guill. &amp; Perr., characteristics of tropical dry deciduous forest. The survey was conducted to explore the valuable tree species and enrich the knowledge of ethnobotanical plants in the area. Study revealed occurrence of 49 tree species belonging to 19 families in the area. Majority of the trees belong to the family Fabaceae (43%). Survey showed that virtually all the recorded tree species have medicinal and economical value. Stem/Bark (78%) of the plants was most useful part followed by leaves (59 %, fruit and seeds (45 %), roots (33 %), flowers (29 %), gum (12 %). In 6% of the trees, all the parts were found to be useful. Knowledge gained about the diversity and uses of trees will generate awareness among people regarding importance and conservation of these plant species.

Effect of Pre-sowing Treatment to Break the Seed Dormancy and Seed Germination of Melia composita under Laboratory Conditions

Melia composita (Burma dek) is one of the multipurpose fast growing tree species applicable for the agri-silviculture system. In northern India, due to its fast growing and short rotation nature it has developed one of chosen tree species by the farmers under agroforestry. Melia composita occurs mostly in tropical moist and dry deciduous forest of Himalayas. The seed have Hard endocarp and therefore quite difficult to germinate. There are different types of seed dormancy and it helps in find out the better pre-sowing treatment to assure early and uniform germination of seeds. This leads to minimize the cost of large scale seedlings production. The present study was conducted at Laboratory of Seed Science and Technology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University during 2019 to evaluate the “Effect of pre-sowing treatments on seed germination of Melia composita”. Five pre-sowing treatments viz., normal water soaking (24, 48 and 72hr), conc. H2SO4 (5, 10 and 15 min.), cow dung slurry (5, 10 and 15 days), boiling water (5, 10 and 15 min.), mechanical scarification + GA3 (100 ppm) (8, 16 and 24hr). In laboratory conditions, maximum germination (64.67 %) and seed viability (74.67%) were recorded in concentrated H2SO4 treatment at 15 minute, whereas maximum root length (7.54 cm), shoot length (16.72 cm), root: shoot ratio and seedling dry weight (0.65g) were recorded in mechanical scarification + GA3 (100 ppm) at 24 hr.

Boswellia serrata Roxb. Ex Coleb.: A Threatened Tree

Boswellia serrata Roxb. ex Coleb. is commonly known as Indian Olibanum or Indian Frankincense tree. It belongs to the family Burseraceae. The tree is confined to Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest of India. It grows at altitudes up to 1,150 m in regions with annual temperatures between 0-45°C and annual rainfall between 500-2,000 mm. B. serrata has been listed in the threatened species of India. The principal threats of this species are slow growth coupled with poor regeneration. However, the population trends and habitat trends are stable. Due to its exudations of volatile oil, resin and gum, the tree has attained commercial significance. The oil obtained from this tree is very similar to turpentine oil and found suitable for paint making, varnish and used as printing ink in textile industries and in making distempers. It is a unique non coniferous source of turpentine employed for the manufacture of paints and varnishes. The resin obtained from this tree is used for preparation of varnishes. The tree exudes of B. serrata resembles Canada balsam in colour and consistency. It is mainly used for medicinal purposes and incense. A detailed review covering its taxonomy and nomenclature, distribution in India, reproductive biology, wood properties, processing and harvesting, genetic resources available, reasons for its deterioration, and its uses is presented in this article.