PLANT DIVERSITY AND REGENERATION OF TWO COMMUNITY FORESTS IN BUFFER ZONE OF BANKE NATIONAL PARK, WESTERN NEPAL

Abstract

Community structure and regeneration are the most important factor for the sustainable management of a forest. The study was focused on the plant species diversity, regeneration and dependency of people on the forest resources for their livelihood in the buffer zone of Banke National Park (BaNP). The study was conducted at two sites Taradevi and Jaljala Community forests. Random stratified rectangular quadrat method was applied for vegetation analysis. Altogether 60 quadrats were laid on both community forests with 15 quadrats at each residential and natural area of two community forests. Settlement sampling on the buffer-zone was considered about 200 m far from the settlement areas, and the distance between the two quadrats was about 100m far. Similarly, sampling at natural area was also laid about 100m apart from each quadrate. To estimate regeneration of trees 60 quadrats of 20 ×20 m2 was considered, and 3 sub-plots for shrubs 5×5m2 with the 20×20 m2 and for herbs 3 sub-quadrats 2×2m2 with in each plots of shrubs were laid. Based on high IVI value in Taradevi community forest, at natural area Shorea robusta is mostly dominant tree species whereas shrubs like Clerodendrum viscosum, Murraya koenigii, and herbs like Imperata Eragrostis sp is dominant species. But at settlement area Shorea robusta and Mallotus phillippensis are dominant tree species whereas shrubs like Urena lobata, Murraya koenigii, and herbs like Imperata cylindrical is dominant species. Similarly, at Jaljala community forest, at natural area Shorea robusta, Mallotus phillippensis are mostly dominant tree species whereas shrubs like Desmodium sp., Murraya koenigii, and herbs like Imperata cylindrica is dominant species. But at settlement area Shorea robusta, Mallotus phillippensis is dominant tree species whereas shrubs like Clerodendrum viscosum, Urena lobata, and herbs like Eragrostis cynosuroides, Achyranthus aspera are dominant species. It was found that in both community forests the most dominant species is Shorea robusta. Jaljala community forest is found to be more diversified than Taradevi community forest. Both community forests show the good regeneration status of the community forests in the buffer zone, the potential for forest regeneration is in the proper sequence. The seedling, sapling and tree density and density diameter curve showed reversed J-shape curve indicating the the satisfactory regeneration status of both community forest.