Diversity, regeneration....

Abstract

The research aimed to study diversity, regeneration, and carbon stock of tree species in three Buddhist sacred forest in Lumbini, Tilaurakot, and Ramagram of Nepal. Purposive sampling design was carried out with a total of 70 plots, among them 40 plots in Lumbini, 20 in Tilaurakot and 10 in Ramagram sacred forest were sampledfor data collection. Quadrats of 20m X20m, 5m X 5m, and 1m X1 m were laid used for sampling trees, saplings, and seedlings, respectively. A total of 60 tree species, within 45 genera and 19 families were recorded from three sacred sites. The family Fabaceae has been found to exhibit the highest tree diversity representing 47, 23 and 27 tree species in Lumbini, Tilaurakot and Ramagram, respectively. Tree species such as Dalbergia sissoo, Schleichera oleosa and Terminalia arjuna was found to be dominant in Lumbini, Tilaurakot and Ramagram, respectively. Regeneration status of species was determined based on population size of seedlings,saplings and trees. In Lumbini, 85.34% of overall population structure was occupied by trees, 7.78% by saplings and 6.88% by seedlings. In Tilaurakot, 82.55% by trees, 9.66% by saplings and 7.79 % by seedlings. In Ramagram 85.84% by trees, 10.62% by sapling and 3.54% by seedlings. Survival of seedlings and saplings in different forests was found to be very low. Overall density diameter distribution curves of three forest showed different pattern. In Lumbini it was deviated from J-shape, Tilaurakot was bell shaped, and in Ramagram it was also deviated from J-shaped size class indicating poor regenerationin sacred sites. Anthropogenic disturbances and poor management of sacred sites are responsible for poor survival of seedlings and saplings. Very discontinuous regeneration showed that some tree species although dominant at present may be at risk in future. Carbon stock in Lumbini was found to be 24.06 ton/ha (highest contribution by Shorea robusta i.e. 28.30%), 41.41 ton/ha in Tilaurakot (highest contribution by Scheichera oleosa i.e. 51.62%) and 18.86 ton/ha in Ramagram i.e (highest by Terminalia arjuna i.e 26.67%). Carbon storage capacity was greater in Tilaurakot with greater DBH and older trees. Sacred forests are the source of various components e.g., food, fodder, fiber, medicinal, and they are also home to many threatened plant species. Sacred trees, preserved through past years should be respected and conserved for our future generation. Therefore, this research calls for plan to conserve biological diversity of sacred sites.