Tropical Ecology 52(3): 243-252, 2011 ISSN 0564-3295 © International Society for Tropical Ecology www.tropecol.com Diversity and population characteristics of woody species in natural forests and arecanut agroforests of south Meghalaya, Northeast India H. TYNSONG 1* & B. K. TIWARI 2 1 Regional Centre National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, India 2 Department of Environmental Studies, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, India Abstract: In this study, we investigated the woody species diversity and community characteristics of natural forests and arecanut agroforests of south Meghalaya, Northeast India. A total of 117 tree species (≥ 5 cm dbh) belonging to 98 genera were identified in the natural forests and 83 tree species, belonging to 62 genera were identified in the arecanut agroforests. In natural forests, Lauraceae (18 species), Euphorbiaceae (16 species) and Fagaceae (11 species) were the dominant families. In the case of arecanut agroforests, Euphorbiaceae (16 species), Lauraceae (14 species) and Moraceae (11 species) were the dominant families. Arecaceae was the only monocot family represented by Caryota spp. in both natural forests and arecanut agroforests, and there was only one gymnospermic family (Pinaceae) recorded only in the natural forests. Arecanut agroforests are less diverse and less dense than the natural forests. In arecanut agroforests, the density of economically important species was significantly higher indicating deliberate promotion of such species. Resumen: En este estudio se investigó la diversidad de especies leñosas y las características de la comunidad de bosques naturales y de agrobosques de nuez de areca en el sur de Megalaya, noreste de la India. En los bosques naturales se identificaron en total 117 especies arbóreas (DAP ≥ 5 cm) pertenecientes a 98 géneros, mientras que en los agrobosques de nuez de areca se registraron 83 especies arbóreas pertenecientes a 62 géneros. En los bosques naturales, Lauraceae (18 especies), Euphorbiaceae (16 especies) y Fagaceae (11 especies) fueron las familias dominantes. En los agrobosques dominaron Euphorbiaceae (16 especies), Lauraceae (14 especies) y Moraceae (11 especies). Arecaceae fue la única familia de monocotiledóneas, representada por Caryota spp., tanto en los bosques naturales como en los agrobosques de nuez de areca, y sólo hubo una familia de gimnosperma (Pinaceae), registrada sólo en los bosques naturales. Los agrobosques de nuez de areca son menos diversos y menos densos que los bosques naturales. En estos agrobosques la densidad de las especies económicamente importantes fue significativamente mayor, lo que indica una promoción deliberada de dichas especies. Resumo: Neste estudo investigou-se a diversidade das espécies lenhosas e as características de comunidade das florestas naturais e agro-florestas de noz de areca no sul de Meghalaya, nordeste da Índia. Nas florestas naturais e num total de 117 espécies arbóreas (DAP ≥ 5 cm), identificaram-se 98 géneros e nas agro-florestas de noz de areca 83 espécies arbóreas, pertencentes a 62 géneros. Nas florestas naturais as famílias dominantes foram as Lauraceae (18 espécies), Euphorbiaceae (16 espécies) e as Fagaceae (11 espécies). No caso das agro-florestas as famílias dominantes foram as Euphorbiaceae (16 espécies), Lauraceae (14 espécies) e Moraceae (11espécies). A Arecaceae foi a única família monocotiledónea N * Corresponding Author; e-mail: herotynsong@yahoo.com