The effect of disturbance levels, forest types and associations on the regeneration of Taxus baccata: Lessons from the Central Himalaya

Taxus baccata L. subsp. wallichiana (Zucc,) Pilger has come into prominence in recent years because of its over exploitation from the Himalayan forest s for pharmaceutical drugs. Despite wide elevational distribution (1770-340 0 m elevation), it never forms extensive stretches and commonly occurs as u ndercanopy species. Further, it is an extremely slow-growing tree with poor seed germination. Along the disturbance gradient Taxus shows different pop ulation patterns. Least disturbed mixed broadleaf forest association shows stable population. The number of seedlings was related to crown cover and s oil pH, The size class distribution of T. baccata population indicates that this species is on its way out at the study site, The threat is not only b ecause of excessive harvesting but also due to degradation of forest sites for other reasons.