Title: Undergrowth Species Composition of the Exotic and Indigenous Tree Plots in Deciduous Forest Area of Hoteya Forest Range of Tangail District, Bangladesh
Abstract:This study was conducted to assess the impacts of monoculture of exotic tree species on the species composition and status of undergrowths in relation to that of indigenous tree species and to provide...This study was conducted to assess the impacts of monoculture of exotic tree species on the species composition and status of undergrowths in relation to that of indigenous tree species and to provide the baseline data on the undergrowth species of the plantation forests of exotic and indigenous tree species. This study reports 116 undergrowth species belonging to 97 genera and 52 families of vascular plants from the tree plots of exotic Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. ex Benth. and Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. and 150 undergrowth speciesunder 122 genera and 56 families from those of indigenous Shorea robusta Roxb. and Mangifera indica L. of Hoteya Forest Range of Tangail district. Most of the 182 undergrowth species, found in exotic and indigenous tree plots together, were Angiosperms (±95%) and only ±5% were Pteridophytes. 63.74% of these species were herbs, 25.82% trees and 10.44% shrubs. In exotic tree plots, the undergrowths of 86, 87 and 76 species, and in indigenous tree plots, the undergrowths of 118, 113 and 111 species were found in summer-, monsoon- and winter seasons, respectively. In S. robusta-, A. auriculiformis-, E. camaldulensis-, and M. indica tree plots, a total of 93, 69, 61 and 42 species were found in summer; 90, 77, 55, and 46 species in monsoon; and 82, 68, 39 and 51 species in winter seasons, respectively. In exotic tree plots, Axonopus compressus (Sw.) P. Beauv. was found in highest relative density and frequency and Cyperus iria L. in highest relative abundance, whereas, in indigenous tree plots, A. compressus was found in highest relative density and abundance, and Clerodendrum infortunatum L. in highest relative frequency. Species number and density were significantly different among the plots of A. auriculiformis, S. robusta, M. indica and E. camaldulensis. This study concluds that, indigenous tree plots harbor the higher number of species (18.68%) than the exotic tree plots, considering all types of plant species and all seasons and the number of uncommon species was relatively higher in indigenous tree plots than that in exotic tree plots. It proves that plantations of indigenous tree species are relatively better in harboring better species richness and diversity. The data provided by this study will be useful in biodiversity conservation and in appropriate selection of tree species for better plantation programs. This study suggests for preferring the indigenous species for plantation programs in forested and fertile land areas; and exotic species for that in the degraded or barren areas with strict maintenance of the natural condition.Read More
Publication Year: 2016
Publication Date: 2016-11-04
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 1
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