Abstract
Tropical forests of Bangladesh are facing rapid loss in floristic diversity and resultant changes of vegetation necessitates the assessment of plant composition and diversity. The present study was conducted to assess the composition of native tree species of Rampahar Forest Reserve of Rangamati hill district, Bangladesh. Rampahar is a remnant tropical semi-evergreen natural forest extending to an area of 648 ha. Simple random sampling method with 20 m × 20 m sized 20 and 5 m × 5 m sized 10 samples plots were used to study both tree species composition and seedling status of tree species. A total of 50 tree species under 28 families and 15 regenerating tree species under 13 families were recorded in the study area. Family Moraceae possessed the highest number of tree species (6 species) while families Anacardiaceae and Sterculiaceae possessed the highest number (2 species) for regenerating tree species. The survey indicated that Protium serratum (Wall. ex Colebr.) Engl. is the most dominant tree species with the highest relative density (RD), relative frequency (RF) and importance value index (IVI). Basal area of all the tree species was 13.13 m 2 /ha where Ficus religiosa was represented by the highest basal area (1.14 m 2 /ha). Protium serratum was also a dominant regenerating tree species with highest RD (15.24%), RF (16.30%) and IVI (50.09). The native trees species of this remnant forest need attention for immediate conservation
Highlights
Rampahar along with Sitapahar was declared as the first forest reserve within the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHTs) in 1875 (Chowdhury, 2006)
The study recorded a total of 50 tree species belonging to 28 families in Rampahar Forest Reserve
Seedlings of 15 species were recorded belonging to 13 families in the Rampahar Forest Reserve
Summary
Rampahar along with Sitapahar was declared as the first forest reserve within the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHTs) in 1875 (Chowdhury, 2006). The under explored forest area of Rampahar represents tropical rainforest mainly of semievergreen to evergreen type of vegetation. It is situated in Kaptai upazila under Rangamati district. A comprehensive list of flora and fauna including all lower plants and animals along with their present conservation status and recovery plan is needed for proper conservation and management of biodiversity in reserves. The conservation of its diversity is both a matter of insurance and investment in order to ensure sustainable improvement of agriculture, forestry and fisheries production. Conservation of biodiversity sustains different services of forest ecosystems; as a buffer against harmful environmental changes, as a source of raw material for scientific and industrial innovation and as a matter of moral principle (IUCN, 1980)
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