Distribution and Abundance of Commiphora wightii (Arn.) Bhandari, in the forest of North Gujarat Region (NGR),
Gujarat, India
Abstract
Forests of North Gujarat Region (NGR) have
been facing various levels of pressures for the past few decades and as a
result habitat degradation and habitat fragmentation have constantly been
increased. Numerous plant species are facing direct and indirect and its
reducing number naturally. One of the plants is Commiphora wightii. The International Union for Conservation of
Nature (IUCN) mentioned as ‘Data
deficient’ at global level
This paper deals
with the status, distribution and conservation of habitats of above said plants. Survey was conducted from May 2005 to
Dec 2006. A probable list of locations of the species in the study area was
prepared based on the literature, reports, thesis and informal interviews with
the local people. Using
the above information random transects were located and surveyed in two phases.
A total of 137
individuals of C. wightii were recorded
from NGR. Distributions of this species are restricted into two main habitats; Thorn and Scrub Forest.
C. wightii have been facing severe
threats in the form of cutting and lopping. Habitats of C. wightii were
degraded by cutting of matured
trees, soil erosion, encroachment, developmental activities and human
inhabitations that lead to viability reduction.
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