Floristic Composition, Diversity and Stand Structure of Tropical Forests in Popa Mountain Park

Yu Ya Aye,Nophea Sasaki,Kanita Thanacharoenchanaphas,Chanin Umponstira,Savent Pampasit

doi:10.4236/jep.2014.517150

Yu Ya Aye, Nophea Sasaki + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.4236/jep.2014.517150

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Abstract

Safeguarding biodiversity is an important component of the REDD+ scheme of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Information on tree species and their distribution is therefore needed for successful implementation of forestry carbon projects. Forest inventory data were collected in four natural forests located in Popa Mountain Park, Myanmar. Based on the data from 4-ha sample plots, average stem density ranges from 1293 trees ha-1 in dry dipterocarp forest to 804 tree ha-1 in dry evergreen forest. According to the Jackknife estimator for species richness (trees with DBH ≥ 5 cm), the highest number of species was recorded in dry mixed deciduous forest—74 species ha-1, and the lowest number of species recorded in dry forest—40 species ha-1. Dry mixed deciduous forest occupied the highest value on the Shannon-Wiener index and Simpson diversity index while the lowest was in dry forest, indicating that dry mixed deciduous forest is the most complex whereas dry forest is the simplest community. Not only does this study provide useful information on the current status of vegetation type but the information is important for designing forestry management systems that could result in biodiversity conservation and carbon emission reductions.

Highlights

Conservation of natural forest resources is an important component of climate change mitigation strategies in the region [1]
This paper investigated in four natural forest types in Popa Mountain Park (PMP) and stand structures in each type were analyzed in order to determine the level of species composition, diversity and distribution in the area
Our findings of tree species are in the range of that found in mature tropical forest, 56 - 282 species ha−1 (DBH ≥ 10 cm) [31]

Summary

Introduction

Conservation of natural forest resources is an important component of climate change mitigation strategies in the region [1]. Demand for wood and non-wood forest products increases along with increasing population [5] These activities vary over time and space [6] and have different degrees of impact on forest vegetation [7]. Safeguarding local benefits and biodiversity is an important requirement for carbon project development under the reducing emission from deforestation and forest degradation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks (REDD+) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Monitoring changes of tree diversity and forest structure becomes important for the successful implementation of any REDD+ scheme because REDD+ scheme focuses on reducing carbon emissions, and on safeguarding biodiversity and socio-economics of forest dependent communities in developing countries

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Conclusion