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Diversity and Conservation Status of Tree Species in Hazarikhil Wildlife Sanctuary (hws) of Chittagong, Bangladesh

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

Abdul Alim
Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh

Saddam Hossen
Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh

Md. Akhter Hossain
Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh

Anisur Rahman
Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Hazarikhil Wildlife Sanctuary (HWS), located in the Fatikchari upazila of Chittagong district, Bangladesh with a land area of 2,908.5 acres, is a Protected Area IUCN Category II. Once the forest was very rich in flora and fauna but apparently, it seems that some lesser known species may have been disappeared from the area due to changes in overall conditions. The study was conducted through systematic quadrat method where the size of the plot was 20 m×20 m. A total of 162 tree species (having ≥5 cm diameter at breast height (dbh)) belonging to 50 families were recorded where Euphorbiaceae family possess the highest number of species (18) followed by Moraceae (12 species). Conservation status of the plants indicated that 52% species (85 species) were Least Concern (LC) which was maximum among the conservation categories. However, the Vulnerable, Endangered, Near Threatened and Critically Endangered tree species were represented by 20% (32 species), 6% (9 species), 1% (1 species) and 2% (3 species) respectively. The study created a baseline of information on the tree species diversity of the protected area which is expected to be helpful to the future researchers as well as in taking managerial actions by the policy makers.

Keywords: Tree species; Threatened; Hazarikhil; Conservation; Wildlife Sanctuary

Location: Fatikchari upazila of Chittagong district, Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Conservation and Biodiversity

Commodity: Plant

Objectives:

Inventorying the trees is essential for better understanding of the levels, distribution, and dynamics of native tree species of a particular forest. Presence of systematic records of the flora of a forest and its regeneration will help in any plan to preserve its biodiversity. To achieve good conservation and management of our natural resources, we should know the status and structure of biological resources, especially the native tree species.

Methodology:

Study area Hazarikhil Wildlife Sanctuary was a part of the reserved forest of Chittagong North Forest Division in Bangladesh. It was declared as Hazarikhil Wildlife Sanctuary (2908.50 acres) on 6 April 2010 by the Ministry of Environment and Forest by gazette notification no. MoEF/For-Sec-02/02 Wildlife Sanctuary/ 11/2010/211 dated 06/04/2010 under the power given under section 23(3) of Bangladesh Wildlife (Preservation) (Amendment) Act 1974. The area is located about 65 km north of Chittagong city and western side of Chittagong-Khagrachari road. HWS experiences tropical monsoon climate, characterized by basically four seasons, e.g., winter (December–February), summer (March–May), monsoon (June–September) and autumn (October– November). During the monsoon, the area receives an average annual rainfall of 3000 mm with a range of 1,611–3,878 mm. Temperature of the HWS varies from 12.5°C to 37°C whereas humidity from 67% to 88% round the year. The forest valleys comprising streams (chara), canals and lakes contain and carry the water to mainly the Feni River and some water is directly transmitted to the Sandwip channel of the Bay of Bengal. A number of sandy-bedded streams passed through the HWS and aquatic habitats associated with forest cover and riparian (streamside) vegetation, wildlife species are important part of the entire habitat. Some stream flow continuously but some of them become dry in winter. Part of Hajarikhil WS is covered by the low hill ranges while the rest is in the Bengal flood plain. The soils in this area range from clay to clayey loam on level ground and from sandy loam to coarse sand on hilly land. The wildlife sanctuary is covered basically with tropical semi-evergreen natural vegetation and scatter block plantations along with few degraded hills in the periphery. Reconnaissance survey The research team visited the Hazarikhil Wildlife Sanctuary (HWS) to have an idea of species composition of the whole forest prior to selection of sampling procedure for floristic composition and diversity of the tree species. A thorough field visit was conducted in the whole forest at the onset of the fieldwork. A formal discussion was held with the concerned forest officials and some experienced forest villagers. A base map of the area was collected from the Forest Department. Detail information about the geography, land uses, plantations and present management systems were also collected from respective authority. Two transact walks (one from North to South and the other from East to West) across the forest were made with the help of the field assistants. The objectives of the walk were to familiarizing with the vegetation community, designing sampling design, planning accessibility and field works and to get an idea about the vegetation in the study area. Field data collection and processing The composition and diversity of the tree species in HWS were assessed through systematic quadrat survey with 20 m×20 m sized sample plots were conducted during January 2016 to December 2016 (Rahman & Hossain, 2002; Roy, Singh, & Porwal, 1993). The quadrat size was determined by applying species area curve method (Moore & Chapman, 1986). Quadrats were placed systematically at 13″ (thirteen seconds) spatial interval which is approximately 530 m along both longitudes and latitudes. The sampling intensity of the survey was 0.25%. Besides the quadrats trees were recorded from the walk ways (line transacts) whenever a new species occurred during the travel from one quadrat to another. All trees having ≥5 cm dbh were identified, counted by individuals and measured in the quadrats. Fertile materials the unknown trees were collected to prepare herbarium specimen for identification. The herbarium specimen of the Bangladesh Forest Research Institute (BFRI) were consulted along with Khan (1990), Rahman and Hossain (2002) and Ahmed et al. (2008) for identification of the unknown species. Conservation status of the plants were assessed based on the field observations along the consultation of Ahmed et al. (2008), Rahman (2013), Ara, Khan, and Uddin (2013) and Hossen and Hossain (2018). All the plants were compiled together and their number under respective families and conservation status were counted.

Source of Information: Geology, Ecology, and Landscapes,

Article Link (Online Journal): DOI: 10.1080/24749508.2019.1694131

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

HWS is rich in tree composition and diversity as represented with 162 tree species including some threatened and rare plant species. Physical observation during the study indicated that the vegetative resources are degrading rapidly. The main issues in the loss of tree diversity in HWS are degradation of habitat, e.g., change in land use, conversion of forest lands to agricultural lands, haphazard introduction and priority of alien invasive species, expansion of road networks and other anthropogenic activities that have damage most of the forest resources of HWS. Over exploitation of resources, e.g., illicit felling, encroachment, indiscriminate harvesting of tree species and Non-Timber Forest products, hunting and trafficking exerts a significant negative impact on the biodiversity of HWS. The process of conserving native tree species can be divided into three phases: i) identification – determining which species are in danger of extinction, ii) protection – determining and implementing the short-term measures necessary to halt species from extinction, iii) recovery – determining and implementing the long-term measures necessary to rebuild the population of the species to the point at which it is no longer in danger of extinction. The present findings provide an assessment on tree species density, diversity, dominance and composition which will be helpful for preparing a sustainable management plan. The study results will also help in adopting appropriate conservation and protection measures for the HWS. The study also reveals the advancement of gradual restoration process that initiated after massive anthropogenic disturbances through both artificial and natural means.

Knowledge Management: Journal