PLANT SPECIES COMPOSITION, CARBON STOCK, AND REGENERATION OF TWO COMMUNITY FORESTS IN NAWALPARASI DISTRICT, CENTRAL NEPAL

Abstract

This research explores vegetation dynamics in Shiva Community Forest (SCF) and Budhaulikuna Community Forest (BCF) with different management practices in Nawalparasi district. SCF restricts resource collection to six months, while BCF allows year-round access. Sixty sample plots were systematically sampled to assess species diversity, carbon stock, and regeneration in these two forests with different forest management practices. Results indicated similar herb diversity at BCF and SCF, slightly lower shrub diversity in BCF than in SCF, and in the case of trees, the diversity was high at SCF. BCF exhibited higher seedling and sapling density, while SCF showed higher tree density. BCF is a comparatively matured forest and SCF is a young forest, which is evident from the DBH. Most of the trees in BCF were of the DBH class between 40 to 90 cm but in SCF it was between 10-30 cm. The density-diameter relation showed more mature trees in BCF, with a Hump-shaped curve, while SCF had a reverse j-shaped curve. Carbon stock calculations revealed BCF with significantly higher stock (163 tons/ha) dominated by Sal trees compared to SCF (81 tons/ha). Regeneration of seedlings and saplings was higher in BCF than in SCF. Controlled harvesting in SCF might have benefited trees but hindered seedling growth. On the other hand, at BCF the number of matured trees was less and this possibly supported better seedling and saplings growth because of more canopy gap. The findings suggest that both practices of forest management have certain demerits and hence need to be modified for preserving, protecting, and systematically utilizing the resources especially to maintain and protect plant diversity.