Plant Diversity, Regeneration and Carbon Stock ofThree Community Managed Forests, Kailali, Western Nepal

Abstract

Forest is an integral component of majority of people ofNepal. Community forestry program has been involved as a potential solution to the problem of deforestation. This study is intended to assess the status of plant diversity, regeneration and carbon stock of three community managed riverine forest (Gasisamaigi, Laxmi and Shiva Parbati) of Kailali Western Nepal. All these forest were riverine forest with different management period. To asses Important Value Index (IVI), species diversity, regeneration and carbon stock altogether 90 sample plots (30 plots in each forest) of size 10m×10m were established for tree applying stratified random sampling method. Within the 10 m× 10 m 3 sub plots of 5m×5m for shrubs and 3 subplots of 2m×2m for herbs was laidonJanuary (2020). Tree biomass was estimated using equation of Chavel et al., (2005) and regeneration was estimated by calculating the density of each species in seedling, sapling and tree phases. Carbon stock of Gwasisamaigi Community Forest was found higher (146.58t/ha) than in Laxmi Community Forest (69.10t/ha) and Shiva Parbati Community Forest (59.2t/ha) and it increased with increasing management period of community forest. Similarly total species diversity was found higher in GCF but herbs species diversity was found higher in SCF.SCF had good regeneration statusopen canopy of SCF might have favored the regeneration of forest. This result revealed that species diversity and carbon stock increases with increase in management period of community managed riverine forest.