PRODUCTIVITY AND ECOLOGICAL ROLES OF FAST-GROWING INDIGENOUS TREE SPECIES ACROSS DIFFERENT TREE-BASED LANDSCAPE SYSTEMS IN INDIA
Authors: Shine G.; Anjali, K.S.; Kabir, K. and Sooraj Kumar
Shine G.: Dept. of Silviculture and Agroforestry, College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Kerala, India.
Anjali, K.S.: Dept. of Silviculture and Agroforestry, College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Kerala, India.
Kabir, K.: Dept. of Silviculture and Agroforestry, College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Kerala, India.
Sooraj Kumar: Dept. of Silviculture and Agroforestry, College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Kerala, India.
ABSTRACT
The ecological and production-oriented potential of fast-growing indigenous tree species (FGITS) has gained renewed attention across India’s dynamic land-use mosaic, spanning agroforestry, afforestation, and restoration landscapes. Growing awareness of the ecological trade-offs of exotic monocultures such as Eucalyptus and Casuarina has triggered a national pivot toward resilient native alternatives capable of simultaneously delivering biomass, timber, and ecosystem services. This review synthesizes two decades of empirical evidence on the productivity and ecological roles of key indigenous species including Dalbergia sissoo, Gmelina arborea, Albizia lebbeck, Terminalia arjuna, Pongamia pinnata, and Melia dubia, among others. The analysis draws upon 132 peer-reviewed Indian studies, emphasizing growth metrics, carbon sequestration potential, and soil fertility contributions under varied climatic and edaphic contexts. The review concludes that FGITS outperform exotics in sustaining long-term soil fertility, biodiversity support, and hydrological regulation, with mean annual carbon sequestration rates ranging from 2.5–5.8 Mg C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹. Gmelina arborea and Dalbergia sissoo consistently demonstrate superior productivity (10–18 m³ ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), while Albizia lebbeck and Pongamia pinnata excel in nitrogen enrichment and reclamation of degraded soils. Indigenous mixed plantations and agroforestry configurations enhance land equivalent ratios by 35–55% over monocultures. Despite these benefits, challenges persist in terms of quality planting material, local adaptation trials, and economic viability at scale. The review concludes that integrating FGITS into India’s production forestry and restoration frameworks presents a viable pathway toward carbon-neutral, socially inclusive, and ecologically resilient treescapes.
Keywords: Indigenous tree species, Agroforestry, Productivity, Fast growing, Sustainability