Natural regeneration potential of Andaman Padauk (Pterocarpus dalbergioides) in sustaining the tropical forests of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India

Natural regeneration potential is an important indicator for any forest ecosystem and Andaman Padauk ( Pterocarpus dalbergioides ) is the principal timber tree endemic to Andaman & Nicobar Islands. This study analyzed the natural regeneration potential of Andaman Padauk under different disturbance regimes across its distribution range with regard to population dynamics, growth pattern, population structure, population status and allometry. Contrary to the perception that it is a poor regenerator, the species showed a luxuriant growth. While ephemerals, seedlings, saplings, poles and total regenerates are significantly high at the leading edge of its habitat, trees are significantly high at the trailing edge. Their heights are mostly positively skewed and normally distributed. With a reverse-J shaped demography, the species is in its most dominant form in the stand. Though its population status is declining, the prospects of population stabilization are high. There exists a strong proportionality between DBH and height of regenerates. Hence, the species should be assisted through considered disturbance to realize its natural regeneration potential. As all the species under the pantropical Pterocarpus genus share a number of growth and reproductive traits, the path breaking findings of this study emanated from refined methodologies will help assess the natural regeneration potential of other species whose existence is threatened by either unstable or declining population in their habitat.