Diversity of trees in a community managed forest: the case of Komolchori VCF, Khagrachari, Bangladesh

Md Arif Chowdhury,Kazi Nazrul Islam,Nureza Hafiz,Kamrul Islam

doi:10.1080/24749508.2018.1508980

Abstract

ABSTRACTNatural forest in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHTs) of Bangladesh is degrading due to various reasons. Village common forest (VCF) in CHTs is one of the successful forest management schemes without government intervention. This research was conducted in the Komolchori VCF, Khagrachari, Bangladesh to delineate its tree diversity status . A total of 921 individuals belonging to 55 species were found from 25 randomly studied plots. The highest basal area and relative dominance were recorded for Terminalia bellirica which were 1.23 m2/ha and 6.07%, respectively, whereas the lowest basal area and relative dominance were 0.47 m2/ha and 2.30%, respectively, for Protium serratum. In addition, the highest relative density, relative frequency, and importance value index was occupied by Aglaia cucullata which were 20.41%, 7.54%, and 29.65%, respectively. Aglaia cucullata and Schima wallichii were found as the most dominant species based on hierarchical cluster membership. The Shannon’s index, Simpson’s index, species diversity index, Margalef’s (richness) index, species evenness index and dominance of Simpson index for the Komolchori VCF were found as 3.22, 0.07, 66.03, 7.91, 0.47, and 0.93, respectively. This study will progress the further study to ensure proper action on biodiversity conservation in the CHTs of Bangladesh.

Highlights

The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHTs) consist of three hilly districts – viz. Rangamati, Khagrachari, and Bandarban of Bangladesh, a part of the Himalayan region, covered with natural forests, which makes up nearly 40% of the total forests cover of the country (Ahammad & Stacey, 2016)
The tree species survey in the Komolchori village common forest (VCF) recorded 55 species belonging to 47 genera and 31 families
The varied nature of the VCF recommends that the indigenous communities are maintaining the excellent form of forest management to protect the plant diversity

Summary

Introduction

The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHTs) consist of three hilly districts – viz. Rangamati, Khagrachari, and Bandarban of Bangladesh, a part of the Himalayan region, covered with natural forests, which makes up nearly 40% of the total forests cover of the country (Ahammad & Stacey, 2016). This forest rich area has been degraded since the British colonial period due to the nationalization of forest, establishment of reserve forests, governmentinduced management system, and weakening of traditional institutions (Rasul, 2007). Four visible land uses of CHTs are shifting cultivation (locally known as Jhum), agroforestry, orchards, and village common forest (VCF). Agroforestry, and orchards are the outcomes of economic consideration with a little consideration for environment and nature

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