Ecological and anthropogenic niches of sal (Shorea robusta Gaertn. f.) forest and prospects for multiple-product forest management – a review

摘要: Summary Sal ( Shorea robusta Gaertn. f.) forests cover over 11 million ha in India, Nepal and Bangladesh, these are conventionally managed for timber. Recently, interest producing multiple products from sal has increased; accordingly, a silvicultural regime managing forest is central concern. Forest managers need comprehensive scientifi c understanding of natural stand development processes anthropogenic factors affecting when designing regimes multiple-product management. We review ecology productivity plus niches forests. Information on edaphic factors, phenology (regeneration, growth characteristics, soil nutrient requirement, allocation, cycling, structure successional stages) important management forest; likewise, knowledge associated with use also required effective implementation the recently paradigmed efforts. silviculture been evolving since beginning twentieth century mainly concentrating timber production, though have always used grazing collection fodder, fuelwood, litter many other products. Instead integrating management, governments attempted to control additional uses through enforcing legislation. These attempts resulted persistent confl icts between interests local people government, deteriorating condition Community-based forestry this region emerged response severe degradation resources, initiated protection practices demonstrated success coppice. The coppice systems allow intermittent (non-timber products, including fodder litter) while long term. Accordingly, policy developed manage Managing is, however, relatively recent investigations various aspects be