Spatial–temporal variation of casuarina spread in Cauvery delta and north eastern zone of Tamil Nadu, India: a spatial autoregressive model

The low forest cover and productivity are the major obstacles for mitigating the demand supply gap of raw material for forest-based industries, which could be fulfilled from a tree outside forest area. Casuarina is a multi-utile, short rotation tree which adapts to all ecosystems. The casuarina wood is predominantly demanded for fuel, construction and paper industries which is mostly preferred by farmers, traders and industries. This study explores the spatial and temporal variability of casuarina spread in mitigating the gap of demand and supply in Tamil Nadu using a spatial autoregressive model. The spread of casuarina was spatially and temporally significant, which was negatively influenced by the gross area irrigated as main and direct effects and positively in an indirect effect. An assured irrigation forces the farmers to choose traditional agricultural crops for their livelihood in their own district. The increase in the price of casuarina would increase the spread of casuarina in both own district and neighbouring districts. The spread of casuarina would augment the supply of raw material for forest-based industries.