Agricultural Research Management Information System

Home
Research Summary
Search
About Us
- ARMIS
- Brochure
Contact Us
Report
User Request
Data Input
Help
- Operation Manual
  - PDF
  - Video
- Program Area & Commodity
We have reached 37600 number of research entries at this moment.

- Logout

Research Detail

Home
Research
Detail

Exotic Plants and Their Usage by Local Communities in the Sitakunda Botanical Garden and Eco-park, Chittagong, Bangladesh

Shourav Dutta*
Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh

Hossain MK
Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh

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

Pinaki Chowdhury
Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was carried out to assess the occurrence, invasion and usage of exotic plant species in the natural ecosystem of Sitakunda Botanical Garden and Eco-park, Chittagong, Bangladesh through transect and random sampling and Focused Group Discussion (FGD) during August 2013 to April 2014. A total of 103 exotic plant species (99 species of angiosperms and 4 gymnosperms) belonging to 90 genera and 43 families were recorded through transect method from the study area. Among the exotics, tree species constitute the major category (46 species, 21 families) followed by shrubs (33 species, 18 families), herbs (21 species, 17 families) and climbers (3 species, 3 families). Mimosaceae family was represented by maximum exotic plant species followed by Caesalpiniaceae, Myrtaceae and Malvaceae. Most of the exotic plants were introduced in the eco-park after its establishment. Exotic tree species are given priority as the dominant plantation species in the eco-park area because of their short rotation, wider adaptability and faster growth. A total of 74 tree species (52 native and 22 exotic) belonging to 33 families were recorded through random sampling method in the eco-park. Number of both exotic and native tree species in hill top, mid hill and hill bottom varied simultaneously. Density of exotic trees were found maximum (366.6/ ha) in the hill bottom. Holarrhena antidysenterica (14.77) and Stereospermum colais (14.53) were the two native tree species that showed maximum Importance Value Index (IVI). Besides, two exotics that showed maximum IVI were Xylia xylocarpa (10.05) and Psidium guajava (9.15). The enumerated exotic plant species were categorized under six different traditional use categories according to their habit form (tree, shrub, herb and climber). The study revealed 39 exotic species used for timber purpose indicates their prominent economic potentiality. Moreover, local communities extracting exotic plants for meeting their needs of fuel, housing implements, livelihoods etc. Control of the exotics in future plantation programs need to be considered and available native plants should give priority to ensure ex-situ conservation of the Botanical Garden and Eco-park.

Keywords: Exotic plants; Eco-park; Botanical garden

Location: Sitakunda Botanical Garden and Eco-park, Chittagong, Bangladesh August 2013 to April 2014

Start Date: 00-08-2013

End Date: 00-04-2014

Program Area: Development of Host and Medicinal Plants

Commodity: Medicinal Plants

Objectives:

In the present study, an attempt has been made to assess the occurrence of exotic plants along with their influence in the natural ecosystem and surrounding localities of the Sitakunda Botanical Garden and Ecopark. Categorizing the recorded exotic plants based on their habit form and use was another aim of the study.

Methodology:

Study site: Sitakunda Botanical Garden and Eco-park lies between 22°36´ - 22°39´N latitude and 91°40´ - 91°42´E longitude. It is situated at the north-western part of Chittagong district which comprises of the Chandranath Reserve Forest under the jurisdiction of Chittagong North Forest Division. It is about 35 km north from Chittagong city, 3 km far away from Sitakunda Upazilla head quarter and about one kilometer east from the Dhaka – Chittagong highway. The park area is under the Southern Sitakunda Reserved Forest of Chittagong North Forest Division, Bangladesh. It was established in 2000 under Bangladesh Wildlife Preservation (Amendment) Act 1974. Before establishment the eco-park area was under Chandranath block of Sitakunda Beat under Bariadhala Range of Chittagong North Forest Division [8,11]. The Botanical Garden and Eco-park of Sitakunda comprises an area of about 808.38 ha, of which the Botanical Garden covers an area of 405 ha and rest of the 403.38 ha area is under the eco-park. The park area is composed of a good number of low, medium and high hills, numerous gullies, a few waterfalls and many streams originated from the hills and these hills are mainly the part of Garo Hill Range. The original forest was semi evergreen with high floral diversity including various evergreen and deciduous species. The landscape has a broken topography comprising of very steep hills and valleys. The park area lies under the tropical climatic zone and enjoys moist tropical climate of 29.6°C mean annual temperature, 287.2 cm average annual rainfall, and 66.5% - 88.6% mean monthly humidity. Methods Exotic plant species in Sitakunda Botanical Garden and Eco-park were studied by transect method during August 2013 to April 2014. Transect walks were made along the foot trails that passed across the whole study area. All the exotic plant species (herbs, shrubs, trees and climbers) were recorded and tagged in the field. Fertile plant parts of the unknown tree species were collected to prepare herbarium in order to facilitate their identification. The herbaria were identified consulting different flora. A total of 36 sample plots of 10 m × 10 m in size were selected in the whole study area by random sampling method. Among 36 sample plots, the hill top, mid hill and the valley were represented by 12 plots each. Quadrats were distributed to each of the four aspects (southern, northern, eastern and western) evenly at the hill top, mid hill and valley of hill. All the plots were well demarcated by marking their corners with pegs and then all the trees (native and exotic) in each plot were identified and recorded. Individuals of each tree species having dbh of ≥5 cm at breast height (1.3 m) were counted and recorded. Identified plant samples were arranged taxonomically and categorized according to their habit form. The relative density, relative frequency, relative dominance and Importance Value Index (IVI) were calculated following the methods of Shukla and Chandal. Information about the traditional uses and influence of the recorded exotics were gathered through Focused Group Discussion (FGD) involving local communities living around the surrounding areas of the botanical garden. Consultation was also made with the Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh to better assess the use of the recorded plants. Along with the timber producing exotic plants, many medicinal, fuel wood, fiber yielding, ornamental and shade bearing exotic plant species were recorded from the ecopark and thus, categorized into six categories (timber, food or fodder, medicine, ornamental, fuel wood and miscellaneous).

Source of Information: Forest Res 4: 136.

Article Link (Online Journal): doi:10.4172/21689776.1000136

Funding Source:

1.

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

A number of economically important exotics were introduced in Bangladesh over a long period [6] and these exotic species are getting preferences over the indigenous ones in the plantation programs of the country. After establishment of the Botanical Garden and Ecopark, a considerable number of exotic plant species were introduced in the park area for preserving their gene-pool. It is wise to plant all sorts of plants from gene conservation of wider species point of view but considering conservation of natural ecosystems and native biodiversity population of exotic plants should be controlled. The present findings (103 exotic plant species belonging to 90 genera and 43 families) is a preliminary list of exotic plant species of the park area. For conserving the gene-pool of both native and exotic plant species and securing optimal productivity of all plants on a sustainable basis, it is right time to protect, conserve and manage the garden properly. Further study could also be carried out to assess the ecological impacts of existing exotic plants on native plant species of Sitakunda Botanical Garden and Eco-park.

Knowledge Management: Journal