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Prospect of Natural Regeneration of Tree Species in Hazarikhil Wildlife Sanctuary of Chattogram, Bangladesh

Rahman, M. A
Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, Chittagong University, Chattogram-4331, Bangladesh

M. A. Alim
Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, Chittagong University, Chattogram-4331, Bangladesh

M. K. Hossain
Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, Chittagong University, Chattogram-4331, Bangladesh

M. A. Hossain
Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, Chittagong University, Chattogram-4331, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Natural regeneration of tree species is the major means of understanding the restoration potentiality of a secondary forest. Natural regeneration of a forest is a tool for measuring the health of the forest ecosystem. Natural regeneration status of tree species in Hazarikhil Wildlife Sanctuary (HWS) in Chittagong North Forest Division, Bangladesh was assessed laying 75 systematic quadrats of 4m×4m in size. A total of 90 regenerating tree species belonging to 34 families was identified from the HWS. Euphorbiaceae family possessed maximum regenerating tree species (14 species) followed by Mimosaceae (7), Lauraceae and Meliaceae (6 species each), and Moraceae (5 species). The overall seedling density was 7,083 per ha where Ficus hispida showed the highest number of seedlings (792 per ha) followed by Quercus sp. (475), Ficus religiosa (408), Lithocarpus elegans (375) and Lepisanthes rubiginosa (367). The number of Ficus hispida seedlings per ha was higher due to high coppicing ability. Lepisanthes rubiginosa attained maximum IVI (27.59) followed by Ficus hispida (21.18) and Quercus oxyodon (13.32). The seedlings of Aegle marmelos, Lithocarpus sp., Flacourtia jangomas, Albizia odoratissima, Acronychia padunculata, Chaetocarpus castanicarpus, Maesa paniculata, Crypteronia paniculata, Streblus asper and Mussaenda roxburghii were also found common in the study area. The findings will create baseline information of regenerating tree species, composition, diversity and population structure which can be used for monitoring future changes as well as taking policy decisions for the management of this Wildlife Sanctuary.

Keywords: Natural regeneration; Tree diversity; Protected Areas; Hazarikhil Wildlife Sanctuary; Forest restoration

Location: Hazarikhil Wildlife Sanctuary (HWS) in Chittagong North Forest Division, Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-01-2016

End Date: 00-04-2017

Program Area: Conservation and Biodiversity

Commodity: Plant

Objectives:

Considering the importance, the present initiative was to assess the natural regeneration potential of Hazarikhil Wildlife Sanctuary in Chattogram.

Methodology:

Study area Hazarikhil Wildlife Sanctuary (HWS) covering an area of 1,177 ha is located in the North-West of Fatikchari Upazila in Chattogram district and consists of two beats, namely Fatikchari beat and Hazarikhil beat. It is under the jurisdiction of Chittagong North Forest Division. HWS is covered by tropical moist semi-evergreen forest comprising of hills (altitude 20-110m), hillocks and plain lands. The forest is mostly a secondary one as the area experiences extensive removal of trees and forest resources illegally. Forest department conducted some plantations with both native and exotic species to cover the gap areas. The area is traversed by numerous creeks. Soil is loamy and yellowish brown to reddish-brown which grade into broken shale or sandstone at a depth of 30 - 120 cm (Osman 2013). The soil condition and thickness of top humus layer varies from place to place depending on topography. The mean annual temperature of HWS and adjacent area ranges from 19.9°C to 28.3°C, while the mean annual rainfall is about 2900 mm, and mean annual relative humidity is approximately 78%. The climate of the area is characterized by three distinct seasons- a hot and humid summer from March to June, a cool and rainy monsoon season from June to October, and a cool and dry winter from October to March (Shahid 2010). Study design A systematic quadratic sampling method (Williams 1991) was used to determine the regeneration status of the tree species of Hazarikhil Wildlife Sanctuary. Sample plots were laid on map at equal intervals encompassing the whole area of HWS. Some of the plots were not accessible due to steep terrain, deep gorge and other physical reasons. However, seventy-five sample plots of size 4 m×4 m (45 from Hazarikhil and 30 from Fatikchari beat) were surveyed for the regeneration study from January 2016 to April 2017. Field data collection The regenerations of the tree species having dbh < 2 cm were considered as seedlings. The seedlings of tree species were identified by local experts in the field and verifieded with the help of taxonomists in the Department of Botany, Chittagong University and Bangladesh Forest Research Institute (BFRI). The seedlings were counted by species and the data were analyzed following some formulae. Regeneration from the seed, coppice or root sucker was also recorded as the source of seedlings. Data analysis The identified tree species were compiled using the latest binomial names following Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh (Ahmed et al. 2008). Phytosociological attributes including density, frequency, abundance, family relative density, and importance value index were estimated following Williams (1991). Different biological diversity indices, i.e. Shannon-Wiener’s diversity index (H), Simpson’s dominance index (D), Margalef’s species richness index (R), Simpson’s species evenness index (E) were studied following Margalef (1958), Pielou (1984), Shannon and Weiner (1963) and Simpson (1949).

Source of Information: J. biodivers conserv bioresour manag 5(2), 2019

Article Link (Online Journal): DOI: https://doi.org/10.3329/jbcbm.v5i2.44909

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The present study reveals that natural regeneration potential of the HWS is moderate in terms of regeneration, composition and diversity though it is comparatively poor in both species and family diversity. The reasons responsible for the poor regenerating species composition, and diversity in the HWS are degradation of habitat, (e.g. change in land use, introduction of exotics, and other anthropogenic activities) that have damage most of the forest resources of Hazarikhil WS. Over exploitation of resources, e.g. illicit felling, encroachment, indiscriminate harvesting of tree species and non-timber forest products exert a significant negative impact on the regeneration of the HWS. However, considering the recent conservation initiatives of the wildlife sanctuary authority, it is expected to have positive impacts on the forest coverage and regeneration potentials. The area is rich in soil seed bank of tree species and regeneration may be enhanced if fire can be controlled during dry season.

Knowledge Management: Journal