Phenology and population structure of six tree species in tropical forest of Assam, northeast India

The present paper deals with phenology, population structure and regeneration status of six important tropical tree species namely, Bauhinia variegata, Careya arborea, Dillenia pentagyna, Sterculia colorata, Sterculia villosa and Terminalia belerica. The study was carried out in two forests of Assam, India, namely Lumding Reserve Forest and Doboka Reserve Forest. Phenophases like- leaf fall, leaf initiation, flowering and fruiting were recorded monthly for one year. Phenophases depend on environmental/meteorological conditions of the study area and were species specific. Cool and dry winter period is largely associated with leaf fall of all the selected species, however, Bauhinia variegata and Terminalia belerica showed fruiting during this period. Bauhinia variegata, Careya arborea, Terminalia belerica and Sterculia villosa showed expanding population. All the six species indicated either 'good regeneration' or 'fair regeneration'.Original Abstract: El presente articulo trata sobre la fenologia, la estructura poblacional y el estado de regeneracion de seis especies importantes de arboles tropicales: Bauhinia variegata, Careya arborea, Dillenia pentagyna, Sterculia colorata, Sterculia villosa y Terminalia belerica, El estudio se llevo a cabo en dos bosques de Assam, India: la Reserva Forestal Lumding y la Reserva Forestal Doboka. Las fenofases como la caida de las hojas, la iniciacion de las hojas, la floracion y la fructificacion se registraron mensualmente durante un ano. Las fenofases dependieron de las condiciones ambientales/meteorologicas de la zona de estudio y fueron especificas de la especie. El periodo invernal fresco y seco se asocia en gran medida con la caida de las hojas de todas las especies seleccionadas; sin embargo, Bauhinia variegata y Terminali abelerica fructificaron durante dicho periodo. Bauhinia variegata, Careya arborea, Terminali abelerica y Sterculia villosa mostraron poblaciones en expansion. Las seis especies mostraron 'regeneracion buena' o 'regeneracion regular'.