Anthropogenic Influences on Wild Nutmeg Fruit Crop in the Western Ghats of India |
| |
| Authors: | Manju V Sharma Catherine M Collins Simon R Leather |
| |
| Institution: | 1. Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, Royal Enclave , Jakkur , Bangalore , India;2. Division of Biology, Imperial College London , Silwood Park , Ascot , United Kingdom m.sharma05@imperial.ac.uk mann.vasu@gmail.com;4. Division of Biology, Imperial College London , Silwood Park , Ascot , United Kingdom |
| |
| Abstract: | Myristica dactyloides is characteristic of the mid- and high-elevation evergreen forests of the Western Ghats of India. Aril and seeds of the species are valuable nontimber forest products and are harvested extensively. We made visual estimates of fruit crop size in nine populations. We assessed disturbance using five variables: distance from road, method of harvesting fruits, nonforest matrix around the population, seedling regeneration, and protected area status. Unsustainable harvest and proximity to road impacted fruit crop, as did the nonforest matrix (F = 38.17 df = 5,102, p < .001). While high protection and measures against harvesting keep some populations safe, the harvest method plays a crucial role in determining total fruit production and seedling recruitment in the species. |
| |
| Keywords: | climax species disturbance fruit crop harvest Myristica dactyloides NTFP Western Ghats regeneration |
|
|
