Ecology and Silviculture of Phoebe hainesiana Brandis: A Data Deficient but Commercially Significant Timber Species of Indo-Myanmar Biodiversity Hotspot in India

Phoebe hainesiana Brandis synonym P. bootanica (Meisn.) Gangop (Lauraceae) is an economically significant timber-yielding forest species endemic to Northeast India in Indo-Myanmar biodiversity hotspot (IMBH). Due to its high demand in regional timber industries, the species populations have been fragmented through illegal felling and over-harvesting. Despite its commercial significance and rare sighting, the botanical description of the species is not well-documented. It is considered the ‘least-concerned’ species in the IUCN Red List, which requires revision. The study found the species populations in very confined regions of Manipur state in India. A significant variation in intra-specific wood density (450 to 800 kg/m3) determined the scope of robust selection for the genetic improvement of the species. The conservation status assessment resulted in the status of the species as ‘endangered’ due to a rapid decline in its population, a limited ‘extent of occurrence,’ and a small ‘area of occupancy.’ The taxonomical review found that P. hainesiana can be identified based on its distinct lobes of the fruiting perianth among the other four species from the genus found in India. We recommend a sincere effort to conserve the species population and develop silvicultural systems for sustainable management in the IMBH region. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to The National Academy of Sciences, India 2023.