Abstract

n the present study, habitat, distribution and regeneration of Commiphora wightii (Arn.) Bhandari (Burseraceae) was explored in Rajasthan, India, to support conservation actions. Twenty-six sites were identified for sampling the populations of C. wightii in the desert region and in Aravallis. Commiphora wightii prefers rocky substratum and grows in shallow, gravelly, unfertile soils, hilly terrains and under open canopies. The number of saplings was only 5.68 % as compared to its adult population. Population densities of C. wightii were 25 stems ha-1 in desert and 40 stems ha-1 in Aravallis of Rajasthan, India. Over-exploitation, narrow extent of occurrence, small area of occupancy, severe fragmentation of populations, very low regeneration and invasion of alien species to its habitat revealed that C. wightii is facing severe conservation threat and extinction risk. It should be prioritized for “endangered category” by ensuring the habitat conservation, sustainable utilization and cultivation of this economically important species.

中文摘要

本文研究懷特沒藥（橄欖科）在印度拉賈斯坦邦之生長棲地、族群分佈及自然更新，以支持對此物種之保育行動。本實驗在印度艾拉瓦里斯及沙漠區域共設置了26個樣區以調查懷特沒藥之族群；懷特沒藥偏好生長於岩層基質、淺層多石之貧瘠土壤以及丘陵地形，且喜好開闊之樹冠層。在本調查中，幼苗的個體數與成熟個體相比只占5.68%；植株密度在不同環境也有不同：在沙漠中的密度為25 stems ha-1，在拉賈斯坦邦艾拉瓦里斯地區則為40 stems ha-1。由於過度開發、生長範圍狹窄化、族群面積縮減、族群破碎化、極低的自然再生率和外來種的入侵等原因，讓懷特沒藥面臨嚴重的保育問題及滅絕風險。本文建議優先將此物種列入瀕危等級，以確保此重要經濟物種之棲地保育及永續利用。

Keyword: Commiphora wightii, conservation, endangered, threat, guggal.