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Tree Species Diversity in the South Western Human Impact Hills at Chittagong University Campus in Bangladesh

Md. Shahadat Hossain
Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chittagong -4331, Bangladesh.

Khaled Misbahuzzaman
Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chittagong -4331, Bangladesh.

Saifullah Muhammad
Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chittagong -4331, Bangladesh.

Abdullah Al Mamun
Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chittagong -4331, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Tree species diversity, species richness and phytosociological characters were investigated in the south western human impact hills at Chittagong University (CU) campus in Bangladesh using stratified random sampling (sample size 10m×10m) during the period of April 2012 to November 2012. Altogether, 622 tree individuals (DBH ≥ 5 cm) of 33 tree species belonging to 16 families were recorded from four selected hills (total sampled area of 0.6 hectare). Of the families, meliaceae was the dominant family having 4 species. Total stand density and basal area were, respectively, 1037 stem ha^-1 and 41.124 m²h^-1. Gmelina arborea contributed to the highest stand density (222 stem ha^-1) and relative abundance (6.57%) of the study area, while Albizia procera contributed highest basal area (8.217 m²h^-1), relative frequency (13.92%) and relative dominance (19.98%) for the same. On the other hand, Anacardium occidentale contributed to the least density (2 stem ha^-1), basal area (0.014 m²h^-1) and relative dominance (0.03%). The diameter class distributions disclose that, the study area is in mid-level succession where stem density and basal area continued to increase to a certain level of diameter class eventually decrease (from 15-24.99 cm diameter class) with the increase in diameter class. Diversity index for tree was recorded 2.73 of which Gmelina arborea possess highest diversity (0.33) in the scale of Shannon-Weiner index of diversity.

Keywords: Basal area, Human impact hill, IVI, Species diversity, Species richness

Location: Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chittagong

Start Date: 00-04-2012

End Date: 00-11-2012

Program Area: Conservation and Biodiversity

Commodity: Tree

Objectives:

To assess the existing tree species composition and their diversity in the south-western human impact zone, hills of Chittagong University campus area and adjacent privately managed hilly area.

Methodology:

Study area - The area of Chittagong University (CU) campus falls under the semi-evergreen type of tropical forest enjoys a tropical monsoon climate which lies between about 22°27'30" and 22°29'0" North latitudes and 91°46'30" and 91°47'45" East longitudes and covers about 1,271 acres of land approximately. About 60% of the area is covered by steep and very steep hill of tertiary sedimentary rocks and alluvial and colluvial sediments. Mean annual rainfall in the area is around 3,000 mm. The natural fertility of piedmont soils is relatively high and well sustained . Methods - The field study was carried out during the period of April 2012 to November 2012 applying stratified random sampling. A total of 60 sample plots of 10m x 10m were taken from four selected hills (Biological Science Faculty Hill in CU, Vice Chancellor Bungalow Hill in CU; Jamirkata Hill and Noshabon hill) of two different locations situated in south-western human impact area of CU campus and adjacent privately managed gardens or plantations outside CU campus border. All tree species found in sample plots were identified with their vernacular name and botanical name subsequently height (m) and DBH (≥ 5.0 cm) were also measured. Every hill was subjected to three topographical positions (hill top, mid slope and bottom area of hill) and 5 plots were taken from every hill position. Basal area of each individual tree species was calculated using following formula a = π × D²/4 where, Basal area of each tree (m²), D = Diameter at breast height (m). The relative density, relative frequency, relative abundance and Importance Value Index (IVI) were calculated by the methods of Shukla and Chandal. Importance value index (IVI) for trees was calculated by summing its relative frequency, relative density and relative dominance. ShannonWiener diversity index was used in order to calculate species diversity index according to Michael for the study area. Shannon-Wiener’s diversity index, H = - ∑ P_i Ln P_i, Where, H = Shannon-Wiener’s diversity index, Pi = Number of individuals of one species/Total number of individuals in the samples (i = 1 to n).

Source of Information: Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES); ISSN: 2220-6663 (Print) 2222-3045 (Online); Vol. 4, No. 1, p. 205-212, 2014

Article Link (Online Journal): http://www.innspub.net

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The study provided a panoramic view of tree species richness, diversity and phytosociological characters of four selected human impact hills in Chittagong University campus. Thirty three tree species belonging to sixteen families were recorded from the study area. Reduced numbers of individuals in lower diameter classes disclose that there is inadequate means of natural and artificial recruitment of tree species and recurrent human interference prevails over the study area. The present study is a small step to uncover tree diversity in south western human impact hills in Chittagong University campus, large scale inventories are needed to assess the existing forest biodiversity for whole Chittagong University campus.

Knowledge Management: Journal