Tree species diversity and structural composition: The case of Durgapur Hill Forest, Netrokona, Bangladesh

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MD. RAYHANUR RAHMAN
Md. MIZANUR RAHMAN
Md. ARIF CHOWDHURY
JARIN AKHTER

Abstract

Abstract. Rahman MdR, Rahman MdM, Chowdhury MdA, Akhter J. 2019. Tree species diversity and structural composition: The case of Durgapur Hill Forest, Netrokona, Bangladesh. Asian J For 3: 10-19. Hill forest in Durgapur, Netrokona District, Bangladesh has been rarely studied to reveal its biodiversity information. This study aimed to assess tree species diversity and structural composition based on diameter and height class distribution in Durgapur hill forest (DHF). Tree inventory using stratified random sampling method was conducted during the period of October 2017 to May 2018 by establishing 42 sample plots with each plot had 20 m x 20 m in size. A total of 1436 stems of ?5 cm DBH of 56 tree species belonging to 50 genera and 29 families were enumerated from the sampled area. Stem density was 855 stem ha-1 and basal area was 29.27 m2 ha-1. The Shannon-Wiener’s, Margalef’s, Simpson’s and Pielou’s diversity indices indicate that Durgarpur hill forest had a moderately diverse tree species and lower diversity in comparison to other natural forests of the country. The study showed that the most dominant 10 species have 58% of the total IVI (174.29 out of 300) in which Acacia auriculiformis showed the maximum Importance Value Index (51.02) followed by Shorea robusta (24.23). Number of individual tree species was the highest (49) in the height range of 7- <12 m whereas maximum (52) species were recorded in the DBH (cm) range of 5- <10 cm. Acacia auriculiformis, Shorea robusta, and Tectona grandis were found as the most dominant species based on hierarchical cluster analysis. The current study will be helpful for policymakers in formulating forest resource management plan for Durgapur hill forest.

2017-01-01

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