Assessment of forest degradation condition in Natmataung National Park Watershed, Myanmar

Abstract

Abstract. Oo Y, Suanpaga W, Muenpong P. 2021. Assessment of forest degradation condition in Natmataung National Park Watershed, Myanmar. Biodiversitas 22: 1354-1362. Natmataung National Park (NTNP) is an important biodiversity hotspot in Myanmar, yet it is threatened by various anthropogenic activities, leading to deforestation and forest degradation. As such, the park needs to be restored to bring back its main function of conserving biodiversity. Ecological restoration in NTNP needs assessment of forest restoration potential through forest degradation condition. This research aimed: (1) to assess forest stand parameters of tree density, basal area, Above Ground Biomass (AGB), and Above Ground Carbon (AGC) at plot level and study area level through sampling with fixed area in the NTNP watershed, (2) to compare the accessed forest stand parameters of old-growth forest (OF) and secondary forest (SF) (per plot individual level and per stem individual level) and tree species richness and diversity of OF and SF (per plot individual level only) in order to know the forest degradation condition. A total of 69 square plots were sampled to achieve such aims. This study found two main results: (1) the estimation of stand parameters in both OF and SF at the plot level and study area level had acceptable statistical proration: (2) stand parameters at stem level had significant differences in which OF had overall higher values of parameters than in SF. Based on the results of this study, we recommend that the OF sites should be conserved through sustainable forest management, while the SF sites should be restored to mimic condition in OF through the implementation of assisted natural regeneration (ANR) with highest dominant native tree species, and the abandoned fallow lands should be restored using pioneer native tree species.