P1251955654slbBt

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Casestudy Shorea robusta Gaertn. in Nepal By
Madhav Pandey
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Location of Nepal in the globe
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Species introduction

• Taxonomy S. robusta belongs to the
  familyDipterocarpaceae. It is the only Shorea
  species found in Nepal.
• Large tree Attain a height up to 35 m and a
  girth of about 2 to 2.5 m in about 100
  years under favorable conditions.
• Leaves Glabrous ovate-oblong 10-20cm x 6-12
  cm apex a blunt point stalks 2-2.5 cm
  long.
• Flower Yellow, in large showy branched clusters.
• Fruit Ovoid, 8 mm in diameter, with five wings,
  three longer and two short, the longer up to
  7.5 cm. They fruit during summer and the
  seeds ripen from June to July.

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Young stand of S. robusta
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Habitat

• Soil It grows well in a well-drained, moist,
  sandy loam soil.
• S. robusta is dominant in the plain areas of the
  country, except in areas of high rainfall, where
  it is replaced by mixed forests.
• Its maximum altitude is about 1500 m but it is
  not common above 1000 m.
• It also covers most of the Siwalik hills (small
  hills) and the duns between them. Along river
  valleys it penetrates deep in to the midlands,
  sometimes 80 km from the plains.

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Associated forest tree species of S.
robusta(from Stainton, 1972 )
Plain area Hilly area
Shorea robusta , Terminalia tomentosa ,T. belerica , T. chebula , Adina cardifolia , Anogeissus latifolia , Lannea grandis , Scleichera trijuga , Syzygium cuminii Lagerstroemia parviflora, Anogeissus atifolia , Adina cardifolia ,Semicarpus anacardium , Bauhinia variegata , Dillenia pentagyna , Buchnania latifolia
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Natural distribution zone of S. robusta
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Physiographic map of Nepal
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Silvicultural characteristics

• It is a light demander species
• Deciduous but only for a short time in the year,
  except in very dry localities.
• In the seedling and sapling stage it is
  susceptible to fire damage but after becoming
  mature it is fire resistance.
• Seedlings exposed to unfavorable conditions, such
  as frost, drought and fire, frequently dieback
  but the root remains alive and continues to send
  up new shoots each year, until eventually a very
  strong rootstocks develops which continues to
  grow and eventually form a tree. This process may
  take 3 to 10 years.

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Regeneration

• Natural regeneration
• The fruits ripen at the beginning of the rains,
  usually in June, and the propeller-like action of
  the wings may carry the seed up to 100 m from the
  mother tree, more in strong winds. Provided that
  there is a rain seed germination starts soon
  after the fall of seed.
• Natural regeneration can also occur from coppice
  and growth of seedlings which have died back in
  the previous year.

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Regeneration contd..

• Artificial regeneration
• The main practice of artificial regeneration is
  by direct sowing of seed. Seeds can be collected
  by lightly shaking the trees. The most fertile
  seeds are reported to be produced about the
  middle of the fruiting season (June-July).
• For raising nursery plants the seed should be
  sown in containers and should be planted with
  container when it develops a strong taproot.
  Bare-root plants have no chance of survival.
• The seed losses viability very rapidly
  (recalcitrant seeds) and should be sown within a
  week after collection.

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Pollination biologyLike other Shorea species it
is expected to be an an insect pollinated
species. But the study by Artul, 2003 reported
that it is a wind pollinated species.
Mating systemNo studies are available that
characterize the mating system of the species.
But expected to be mixed mating system on the
basis of studies of other Shorea species.
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Importance of S. robusta in Nepal

• Economic importance
• Timber
• Because of its strong, durable and elastic
  porperties it is the main constructional timber
  in Nepal. It is used for roof construction,
  bridge construction, doors, window frames,
  planking, carts and carving.
• At one time (British-India ) there was
  considerable export of S. robusta logs to India
  for railway sleepers and other purposes.

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Importance contd..

• Leaves
• The leaves are lopped for fodder to feed cattles.
• They are also used for temporary plates.
• Seeds
• Seeds produce an oil which is used for soap
  production.
• After extraction of oil the cake (remains) can be
  used to supplement cattle feed.

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Collection of S. robusta leaves by local people
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Importance contd

• Cultural importance
• The tree when tapped yields resin which is burnt
  as incense in Hindu homes during religious
  ceremonies.

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Importance contd..

• Ecological importance
• It covers a fragile slopes of small hills which
  are prone to land slides and erosion during rainy
  season.
• It provides habitat for many rare and endangered
  wildlives, e.g. Tiger, Rhino, Black bear, many
  species of deer.

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Major threats to the species

• Depletion of forest area of the species
• Fragmentation of populations
• Creaming of vigorous and genetically superior
  trees of the species.
• Disturbances in natural regeneration
• Loss of genetic resources of the species

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Contributing factors for the major threats

• Socio-economic Problem
• The low living standard of the people coupled
  with lack of alternatives.
• Lack of knowledge about the long-term importance
  of the species.
• Illegal logging
• Clearing of forest for agricultural land
• Over grazing

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Contributing factors for the major threats contd.

• Political problems
• The political instability
• Political interference to the forest areas
• Other problems
• Corruption in government employees (also related
  to lower salary)
• Ill intention of private contractor working in
  the forest
• Huge fire during the dry season
• Development activities in the forest areas

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Collection of fire woods
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Over grazing
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Cattle grazing in the natural regeneration of S.
robusta
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Road construction through the forest
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Conservation measures currently employed

• Policy
• At present government of Nepal has declared this
  species as an endangered tree species (HMG/NEPAL,
  1995).
• In situ
• There is no in situ conservation measure are
  employed by targeting the species. However,
  national parks and wildlife reserves established
  in the plain areas are providing some level of
  protection to the species.
• Ex-situ
• There are no ex situ activities are employed for
  the conservation of the speceis.

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Recommendations to conserve the genetic resources
of the species

• Effective enforcement of forest legislation
• Awareness campaign
• Inventory of genetic information of the species
  (e.g. genetic structure, reproductive biology)
• Designing specific in situ and ex situ
  conservation plan

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THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ATTENTION !!!!
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Thank you for your attention !!!!!