S. A. Abbasi , S. Vinithan

Abstract

Environmental impact of Eucalyptus tereticornis-globulus (Eucalyptus hybrid) plantation on the undergrowth diversity, soil moisture, soil nutrients and soil organic carbon, and on wildlife has been assessed. Qualitative as well as computer-aided quantitative studies gave clear indication that the ecological impacts of Eucalyptus hybrid plantation in terms of undergrowth diversity easily matches with the performance of Acacia auriculiformis or Leucaena leucocephala monocultures and polycultures. In other aspects as well these are no different from the impacts of mono or polycultures of Leucaena leucocephala, Acacia auriculiformis, Dalbergia sissoo, and so. The authors conclude that most of the adverse environmental impacts generally alleged against Eucalypts have not been seen.

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S. A. Abbasi , S. Vinithan

Abstract

Eucalypts haVe become the focal point of a raging controversy over the past two decades vis-a-vis their impacts on the environment. No genera of trees has attracted such intense and acrim.onious debate on its perceived ills and virtues as Eucalypts. The views for or against Eucalypts have become so polarized that at times the eriticism or appreciation is based solely on prejudice than ona balanced consideration of the facts. In this paper we have examined the views for and against Eucalypts in the background of the evidence reported by the various authors to back their views.

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