Impact of Acacia auriculiformis Plantations on Regeneration of Native Flora in Degraded Forest Lands in Central Kerala, India
R. Prasanna
Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, P.B. No. 1061, R.S. Puram P.O., Coimbatore-641002, India.
S. P. Subramani
Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, P.B. No. 1061, R.S. Puram P.O., Coimbatore-641002, India.
C. Kunhikannan *
Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, P.B. No. 1061, R.S. Puram P.O., Coimbatore-641002, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Studying vegetation in exotic plantations such as Acacia auriculiformis is particularly important because these plantations can alter native ecological balance, influencing soil properties, microclimate, and local biodiversity, while either supporting or suppressing the regeneration of native flora depending on management practices and ecological conditions .This study examines the floristic composition of naturally regenerating species in the Acacia auriculiformis plantations and adjacent natural forests in Central Kerala, India. The Acacia auriculiformis plantations were studied across different age classes to understand how plantation age influences vegetation composition. The results showed that the plantations have a significant impact on the diversity and species richness of native flora and highlights the importance of considering the conservation value of plantations and the potential for restoring indigenous plant communities. Studying plantations based on age is crucial for identifying differences in floristic structure and regeneration patterns over time. The vegetation analysis of older Acacia auriculiformis plantations revealed a gradual transformation toward mixed forest conditions, with clear signs of natural regeneration and increasing native species establishment over time. Comparison among plantations of different age groups showed a high degree of species overlap and similarity, indicating ecological continuity across successional stages. Species richness and diversity were highest in older plantations, suggesting that as plantations mature, they provide more favorable conditions for native tree recruitment and coexistence. Mid-aged and younger plantations also showed similar regeneration trends, though at a lower intensity. Overall, the study indicates that older A. auriculiformis plantations are evolving into more complex and stable ecosystems, supporting higher biodiversity and serving as effective models for ecological restoration in degraded landscapes. This approach can help to predict future vegetation in plantations of varying ages and suggest suitable native tree species for planting and ecological restoration of such areas.
Keywords: Acacia auriculiformis, plantations, native flora, biodiversity, forest management.