Distribution and Diversity of Nonwood Forest Product (NWFP) Species in Sal and Teak Landscapes: A Central Indian Perspective

Abstract The Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh is a transitional zone between tropical dry deciduous forest and tropical moist deciduous forest. For the quadrats, systematic random sampling and square quadrats 10 m*10 m in size were used in two territorial forest divisions and one wildlife-protected area. Software such as QGIS, MS Excel, and PAST was used for the study. Tectona grandis (Teak) and Shorea robusta (Sal) are the major tree species in the area of study and are associated with different species depending on climatic and edaphic factors. These forest types support many nonwood forest produce (NWFP) species, which support the livelihood of local communities. Species such as Madhuca sp., Diospyros melanoxylon, Buchanania lanzan, Boswellia serrata, and Embelia basal are the major NWFP species found here. The Shannon-Weinner diversity (H’) index and Simpson (1-D) diversity index for Teak and Sal forests were highly diverse in both types of forests. In this study, we found that Shorea sp., one of the major NWFPs, presented the highest density. Madhuca sp. is one of the key NWFPs in both types of forests but is present primarily near the agricultural lands surrounding the villages. Diospyros melanoxylon was present at a very high frequency in Teak forest rather than in Sal forest. The IVI for both Maduca sp. and Diospyros melanoxylon was greater in the Teak forest than in the Sal forest, indicating a major socioecological role in both forest types.