Tree Species Diversity and Its Population and Regeneration Status in Homegardens of Upper Assam, Northeast India

Abstract

Study was conducted to investigate tree diversity and its population and regeneration status in homegardens of upper Assam, Northeast India through field study by quadrat method. A total of 154 tree species have been recorded from 135 studied homegardens under 109 genera 53 families. Most of these species (79%) are indigenous to our country, while the rest (21%) arealiens (naturalized and cultivated exotics) by origin. Tree species richness per homegarden varies greatly in different homegardens and is ranged from 5 to 52 tree species with a mean of 22 (). A. malaccensis is the most dominant tree species in the studied homegardens contributed 34% of the total tree density of the documented trees. The tree density is much higher with 4,259 individuals but, basal area () is very less. Based on the number of individuals present, very rare species is accounted for 10%, rare species 39%, common species 19%, dominants 14% and predominant species 18% in the present study. The population density of 154 tree species is 4,259 (individuals ) for adults (>3.18 cm DBH), 5,902 (individuals ) for saplings and 38,164 (individuals ) for seedlings. The density of seedlings>saplings>adults represents good regeneration status of tree species in studied homegardens. The population structure study showed that about 8% tree species have good regeneration status, 9% have fair regeneration status, 48% have poor regeneration status and 34% tree species have no regeneration. Study suggests that research and development action is needed to stimulate regeneration of those tree species which having high importance value indices but showing poor or no regeneration. Based on present observation, it can be conclude that homegarden can emerge as an effective means for both economic well-being and biodiversity conservation in upper Assam, Northeast India.