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Environmental Correlates of Vegetation Distribution in Tropical Juri Forest, Bangladesh

S. K. Sarker
Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, Sylhet-3114, Bangladesh

S. Rashid
Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, Sylhet-3114, Bangladesh

M. Sharmin
Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, Sylhet-3114, Bangladesh

M. M. Haque
Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, Sylhet-3114, Bangladesh

S. S. Sonet
Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, Sylhet-3114, Bangladesh

M. Nur-Un-Nabi
Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, Sylhet-3114, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

In this paper, we provide a primary assessment on the relationships between vegetation and environmental factors for the ecologically unexplored tropical Juri forest, Bangladesh, using numerical methods. Vegetation and environmental data (13 variables) were collected from 120 sample plots. We classified and verified vegetation communities using Two-Way Cluster Analysis (TWCA) and Multi-response Permutation Procedures (MRPP), respectively. We also estimated species alpha diversity and compositional similarity between the communities. In total, 146 vascular plant species belonging to 66 families of 122 genera were surveyed. Finally, Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) with associated Monte Carlo permutation tests was performed to explore the patterns of variation in vegetation distribution explained by the environmental variables. We identified eight community types that significantly varied in species composition. Soil acidity, phosphorus, calcium, and organic matter content were identified as the most influential soil variables responsible for species compositional variation.

Keywords: Community classification, Cluster analysis, Indicator species, Natural forest, Species conservation.

Location:

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Conservation and Biodiversity

Commodity: Plant

Objectives:

The study has two objectives; firstly to numerically classify the plant communities and secondly, to investigate the distribution of the plant communities in relation to environ-mental variables. In addition, plant diversity patterns within the communities and compositional variability among the communities are also explored to assist plant conservation.

Methodology:

Study site The tropical Juri natural forest (Lathitila) (24° 32′ 56′′ N to 24° 34′ 19′′ N latitude and longitudes 92° 12′ 01′′ E to 92° 13′ 53′′ E longitudes, 2280 ha) is one of the remnant natural forests in the north-eastern Bangladesh (Islam et al. 2008). The forest is generally classified as tropical semi-evergreen forest and lies under the jurisdiction of Sylhet Forest Division. The forest is within the monsoon climate zone. The maximum annual average temperature is 33.2 °C and the minimum 13.6 °C and total rainfall is 3334 mm. Average monthly rainfall substantially varies across the year. Relative humidity remains high (75 - 90 %) most of the year, with the highest during the months of May to October. Humidity dips below 80 % from November to April (Bangladesh Meteorological Department 2012). The topography of the area varies from medium to steep slopes and hillocks of different elevations (10 - 100 m above mean sea level) with undulating valleys, ridges, and water streams. Lowlands occupy a reasonable portion of the area and are inundated by flood water during monsoon. Several channels with many tributaries criss-cross the forest (IUCN 2004). The hilly areas are composed of upper tertiary rocks. Sediments are generally well weathered and limestone is also found on the high elevated site, sometimes cemented with secondary ironstones (Islam et al. 2008). The soil varies from clay loam on level ground to sandy loam on hill slopes, and show low pH. Accumulation of humus on the top soil is very small due to the rapid decomposition of debris under moist warm tropical condition (Hassan 1994; IUCN 2004).

Source of Information: Tropical Ecology55(2): 177-193, 2014 ISSN 0564-3295

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1.

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Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

We are not aware of any kind of research in the Juri forest that used numerical methods to classify plant communities and also to determine the environmental factors responsible for plant compositional variation. In this paper, we provide the first comprehensive investigation into environmental factors that significantly affect the distribution of plants in a priority conservation area of South Asia. Despite the low variance in the data explained, the accounted variables provide useful insight on plant distribution. Thus the research approach demonstrated here can help in conserving the last remaining natural patches of the forest by providing a basis for vegetation monitoring, mapping and assessing site qualities a priori.

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