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Agarwood (Aquilaria malaccensis Lam.) (Thymelaeaceae) is valued in many cultures because of its distinctive fragrance and its use in incense, perfumery, and traditional medicine. Large-scale harvesting from natural populations caused rapid depletion of the species in the wild, and the species is now listed as "Critically Endangered" and almost extinct in the wild. The promotion of this species in agroforestry systems may pave the way for its conservation. The present study aimed to quantify the growth and coppicing ability of agarwood under monoculture and polyculture stands. Monoculture stands aged more than 20 years, and stem girth (1.37 m above ground) of 60–70 cm had the highest growth increment of 3.73 cm yr−1. Monoculture stands (>10 years old) also recorded higher number of coppicing stocks than polyculture stands. The highest coppice growth increment (4.07 cm yr−1) was recorded in the 70–80 cm stem girth in monoculture stands. Based on the results, we recommend the promotion of agarwood trees with good coppice management in forestry programs to conserve the species while also meeting the economic needs of rural communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The present study was conducted in a population structure of selectively logged tropical wet evergreen forest, Cullenia-Mesua-Palaquium (CMP) forest series in the tropical wet evergreen forests of the Nelliampathy Hills, Western Ghats. The study was aimed to focus on how selectively logged treatment influences the density and basal area of CMP forest series stand structure. We sampled the number of individual trees (≥ 1 cm dbh, diameter at breast height) of CMP at 30 sites (20 × 50 m quadrat size), covering an area of 30.8 hectare (ha) in total. A total of 5936 tree individuals sampled had a mean density of 246 ha-1 and basal area of 20.73 metre square (m²) ha-1 from an area of 0.1 to 2.5 ha. Tree density per hectare and basal area differed significantly among plots with different logging treatments. Tree density and basal area were significantly lower in highly logged plots as compared to moderately logged and unlogged plots. The density of smaller trees was significantly higher in moderately logged plots. We suggest that heavy logging treatments might be a serious threat to the CMP forest series and may possibly alter its population structure and that the moderately logged treatments showed positive impacts on CMP stand structure and regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper first explores the shift now occurring in the science that provides the theoretical basis for forest conservation and management. The paper then presents the concepts of traditional ecological knowledge and traditional management systems and practise to provide background for two case studies that examine traditional knowledge and forest management practices of tribal communities in the Sariska region (Rajasthan, India) and of the indigenous Mapuche Pewenhce communities in the Andean mountains of southern Patagonia in Chile, underlining the special relationship these tribal and indigenous communities maintain with the forest and their usefulness in community-based native forest conservation. These examples of traditional ecological knowledge and traditional management systems suggest that it is important to focus on managing ecological processes, instead of products, and to use integrated ecosystem management. Recommendations to move forest management paradigms beyond the current view of 'timber' or 'reserves' and toward one of truly integrated use that adapt conservation approaches to local cultural representations of the environment are made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species composition, density, importance value index, diversity, dominance and distribution pattern of dominant tree species in three pine stands subjected to varying intensities of disturbance at Umiam watershed (UWS) in N.E. India were studied during peak growth period in 2001. A total of 89 plant species were encountered in the study. The species diversity for trees and shrubs was higher in the mildly disturbed stand than the highly disturbed and undisturbed stands. The number of shrub species showing contagious distribution increased with decreasing intensity of disturbance while the trees and herbs did not show any particular trend. The density of tree species however decreased with increasing dbh class in all the stands. Our study suggested that the disturbance can lead to the formation of more assemblage of species and therefore it can be used as a tool for silvicultural and managemental practices. However further research is needed on suitable methods and thinning intensities for sustainable utilization of pine forests in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growth simulation model was developed for even-aged teak stands to derive optimal density management plans. The optimal rotation age and effects of understorey species on the growth of teak were ascertained. The growth model consisted of five modules, i.e. effects of site index, unrestrained growth, ageing, density of teak and density of miscellaneous species. The model was calibrated based on data gathered from 69 permanent sample plots established in teak plantations in Kerala, India. A model was developed in order to identify the optimum density trajectory that maximized the net present value (NPV) of cash flows. Optimum density regimes were worked out for different interest rates in all the site quality classes, with and without miscellaneous species (understorey) in the stands. The relative initial density that maximized the NPV varied from 0.41 for site quality I to 0.21 for site quality IV regardless of interest rate. The rate of increase in initial density required for attaining the optimum was 3% every five years. For any particular interest rate, the optimal rotation age remained the same under all site quality classes. However, the optimal rotation age changed from 65 to 40 years as the interest rate changed from 2 to 5%. Understorey species in teak plantations had a significant effect on the growth of teak trees. The percentage increase due to the absence of miscellaneous growth was about 16% for crop diameter and 23% for mean annual increment of volume over a rotation period. Consequently, there was an increase of 56% in NPV for all the site quality and interest levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]