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Diversity of Trees in a Community Managed Forest: the Case of Komolchori Vcf, Khagrachari, Bangladesh

Md. Arif Chowdhury
Institute of Water and Flood Management, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Kazi Nazrul Islam
Institute ofForestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh;

Nureza Hafiza
Institute of Water and Flood Management, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Kamrul Islam
Graduate School of Engineering, Departmentof Systems Innovation, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Natural forest in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHTs) of Bangladesh is degrading due to variousreasons. Village common forest (VCF) in CHTs is one of the successful forest management schemes without government intervention. This research was conducted in the Komolchori VCF, Khagrachari, Bangladesh to delineate its tree diversity status . A total of 921 individuals belonging to 55 species were found from 25 randomly studied plots. The highest basal area and relative dominance were recorded for Terminalia belliricawhich were 1.23 m2/ha and 6.07%,respectively, whereas the lowest basal area and relative dominance were 0.47 m2/ha and 2.30%,respectively, for Protium serratum. In addition, the highest relative density, relative frequency, and importance value index was occupied by Aglaia cucullata which were 20.41%, 7.54%, and 29.65% ,respectively. Aglaia cucullata and Schima wallichii were found as the most dominant species based on hierarchical cluster membership. The Shannon’sindex,Simpson’s index, species diversity index, Margalef’s (richness) index, species evenness index and dominance of Simpson index for the Komolchori VCF were found as 3.22, 0.07, 66.03, 7.91, 0.47, and 0.93, respectively. This study will progress the further study to ensure proper action on biodiversity conservation in the CHTs of Bangladesh.

Keywords: Phytosociological attributes; Village common forest; Biodiversity indices; Hillforest; Biodiversity conservation

Location: Khagrachari district

Start Date: 00-06-2014

End Date: 00-12-2015

Program Area: Conservation and Biodiversity

Commodity: Plant

Objectives:

This study aims (i) to assess the tree composition and structure of the Komolchori VCF and (ii) to compare the diversity indices of Komolchori VCF with other state-managed forest of the country.

Methodology:

Study site The study was conducted in the Komolchori VCF (locallyknown as reserve) area in Buarchari Mouza (Mouza no.–264), Khagrachari Sadar during June 2014 to December 2015. Komolchori VCF is situated about 5 km away from the village Komolchori. The area of this forest is 127.88 ha. The VCF area is surrounded by two Tripura villagesknown as Thana Chanra Para and Jadu Ram Para. Geographically, the VCF is located between latitude 23.5⁰ to 23.6⁰ North and longitude 91.1⁰ to 92.2⁰ East. The geo-location of the Khagrachari district is latitude 22.38⁰ to 23.44⁰ North and longitude 91.42⁰ to 92.11⁰ East. The district is surrounded by Tripura of India in North-North-West, Rangamati district in East-South-East, Chittagong district in South West and Feni river & part of Tripura of India in west side. The annual average temperature of the district ranged from highest 34.6°C to lowest 13°C and the average annual rainfall is 3031 mm (Banglapedia, 2018). The topography of the area is mostly hilly with irregular plain land. It has a mild tropical climate with a little variation of temperature and rainfall. Rainfall is the heaviest during the monsoon period starting from June till October. Data collection and analysis: Tree species was surveyed in the study area to assess the structure, composition, and biodiversity status. As the study area falls under the category of natural forest, the minimum quadrat size was determined to be 10 m × 10 m. A total of 25randomly selected plots (nearly 0.20% sampling intensity) were surveyed. In each plot, dbh (diameter at breast height; 1.3 m above the ground)and height of all the trees having dbh≥10 cm were recorded. All the tree species in the plots were identified and recorded by local and scientific names. In case of unknown species, plant samples were collected to identify through consulting with taxonomists. Pasha and Uddin (2013) was followed to nomenclature all the recorded tree species.The value of diversity has a proportional impact on the stability of a plant community (Rahman et al.,2011).There are many indices available which measure species richness and biodiversity. In this study, different phyto-sociological attributes were calculated for all the plots.These are species relative density, relative frequency, relative abundance, relative dominance, and importance value index (IVI). Besides, biodiversity indices such as Shannon’sindex,Simpson’s diversity index, species evenness index, etc., for the Komolchori VCF were excerpt from published articles and compared it with the findings of other government managed forests of the country.

Source of Information: GEOLOGY, ECOLOGY, AND LANDSCAPES 2019, VOL. 3, NO. 2, 95–03https://doi.org/10.1080/24749508.2018.150898

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Natural forests of Bangladesh are degrading gradually. The revealed biodiversity status is a decisives cenario against the condition of the labeled forests in Bangladesh. The varied nature of the VCF recommends that the indigenous communities are maintaining the excellent form of forest management to protect the plant diversity. Tree species found in this study are of natural origin which indicates the importance of indigenous tree species conservation in the VCF. The IVI and the hierarchical cluster of the tree species in this study indicate the most naturally important and dominant tree species in the Komolchori VCF. These species need to be considered for further conservation initiatives. Following this, further research should be conducted on present knowledge and practices of indigenous communities in the perspective of VCF management to enhance the forest health of VCF as a forest managementmodel.Bangladesh Forest Department may provide different means of incentives to promote community induced forest biodiversity conservation. Alternative income generation activities may reduce the dependency on forest resources as well as forest land. Degraded landscapes under VCF may be brought under plantation activities with financial and technical help from government and non-government organizations. Such type of initiative may foster native biodiversity conservation along with sustainable livelihoods for ethnic community in the hilly region of Bangladesh.

Knowledge Management: Journal