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Comparison of Structural Diversity of Tree-crop Associations in Peripheral and Buffer Zones of Gachabari Sal Forest Area, Bangladesh

M.M. Rahman
Institute of Silviculture, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria

H. Vacik
Institute of Silviculture, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria

F. Begum
Department of Agronomy, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202. Bangladesh

A. Nishad
IUCN, Bangladesh.

K.K. Islam
Department of Agroforestry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202. Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The structural diversity of different tree-crop associations were studied at Gachabari Sal forest area of Madhupur Garh on Buffer and Peripheral Zone during 2006. The total density, basal area of trees in the Buffer and Peripheral Zone were 155.5 trees·hm-2, 795.4 trees·hm-2 and 3.9 m2 ·hm-2, 5.8 m² ·hm-2, respectively. No regeneration and natural trees were found in Peripheral Zone and the Zone is totally occupied by exotic species where the Buffer Zone comprised of both natural and exotic trees. The Peripheral Zone belonged to younger and smaller trees whereas the Buffer Zone belonged to mixture of smaller, taller, younger and mature trees simultaneously. For the practicing of different agroforestry systems both Zones have lost their original characters of Sal forest.

Keywords: Structural diversity, Tree-crop associations, Sal, Peripheral and Buffer Zone.

Location: Gachabari area under Madhupur Garh, Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-00-2006

End Date:

Program Area: Conservation and Biodiversity

Commodity: Sal

Objectives:

To assess the structural diversity with emphasis on stand structure including vertical and horizontal structure of Peripheral and Buffer Zone and to compare the degree denudation of natural trees between these two zones.

Methodology:

The study was conducted at Gachabari area under Madhupur Garh, Bangladesh. The area is located between 23º50'−24º50' North latitude and 89º54'−90º50' East longitude with 15 m altitude and the climate of the region is moderate. The annual rainfall ranges from 1500 to 2100 mm and the temperature ranges from 10 to 34ºC. The soil is red brown terrace with low organic matter content and moderately to strongly acidic in reaction (Richards and Hassan 1988). The study was carried out during November/2006. The Gachabari Sal forest area may be classified in three zones: (1) the peripheral zone, consisting of exotic tree stands with different field crops (2) the buffer zone, consisting of few natural Salexotic tree stands with different field crops and (3) the core zone, consisting of coppiced Sal. For the present study we have established 30 circular plots of 300 m2 area in the Peripheral and Buffer Zone respectively. Plots of Peripheral Zone were established randomly from different sites and plots from Buffer Zone were established continuously at 100 m interval in any directions. For the purpose of describing the stand structure the diameter at breast height (DBH), height and trunk height of each tree (≤ 5cm d.b.h. and ≤1.37 m height) were measured for each individual on each plot. The vegetation was quantitatively analyzed by frequency, density and basal area of trees following Curtis and McIntosh (1950). The relative values of frequency, density and abundance were determined as per Phillips (1959). These values were summed to represent IVI (Importance value Index) of individual species (Curtis 1959). Diameter of tree populations was classified as ≥5−10 cm, 10.1−15 cm, 15.1−20 cm, 20.1−25 cm and >25 cm where height was classified as ≥1.37−5 m, 5.1−10 m, 10.1−15 m, 15.1−20 m and 20.1−25 m. Each tree was classified according to its status as a dominant, co dominant, intermediate and suppressed tree on the basis of crown length, tree height, side branching and general level of canopy crown.

Source of Information: Journal of Forestry Research, 18(1): 23?26 (2007)

Article Link (Online Journal): DOI: 10.1007/s11676-007-0004-1

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The Buffer Zone is highly degraded and denuded as only few natural tree species exist there. Crop cultivations within the forest enhanced losing of the original characters of Sal forest in both zones though few decades ago they were natural forests. The Peripheral Zone was comprised of only exotic species of younger and smaller in size whereas the Buffer Zone comprised of both natural and exotic tree species of mixture of younger, mature, taller and smaller trees simultaneously. In Buffer Zone few seedlings of Sal were found which could not attain saplings due to probably soil disturbances and crop cultivations. Recovery of Peripheral Zone could not be possible but the Buffer Zone could be by adopting in- situ conservation of seedlings, protecting further denudation; stopping plantation of exotic trees and crop cultivations.

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