Phytosociological characteristics and diversity of trees in a comanaged protected area of Bangladesh: Implications for conservation

作者：Nath Tapan Kumar; Jashimuddin Mohammed; Kamruzzaman Md; Mazumder Vaskar; Hasan Md Kamrul; Das Sukumar; Dhali Panchannon Kumar

来源：Journal of Sustainable Forestry, 2016, 35(8): 562-577.

DOI：10.1080/10549811.2016.1231615

• Basal area
• comanagement
• diversity index
• forest conservation
• livelihood
• tree density

The Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS), a degraded protected area in southeastern Bangladesh, had been under comanagement since 2004. This study examined phytosociological characteristics and diversity of trees in CWS and discussed villagers' opinions on the impact of comanagement on forest conservation. Following a stratified and systematic sampling 140 circular plots, 17.84-m radius each, were laid out in seven forest beats for the assessment of phytosociological characteristics and tree diversity. Several key-informant interviews and 15 focus group discussions were held to explore the impact of comanagement on forest conservation and on villagers' livelihood. A total of 93 tree species were identified having a diameter at breast height (dbh) of >= 5 cm in 36 plant families. The dominant species were Acacia auriculiformis, Dipterocarpus turbinatus, Ficus hispida, and Tectona grandis. The average density of trees was 239 trees/ha of which 60% was composed of planted exotic species. Nearly 90% trees were belonging to 5-to 15-cm dbh class and the Shannon-Wiener index was 3.15. The comanagement governance had brought positive changes in forest conservation. However, to sustain the engagement of poor villagers in the comanagement and conservation of degraded CWS, more collective efforts are needed to support their living.

• 出版日期2016