Tree Species Diversity, Composition, Stocks and Soil Nutrients Dynamics Due to Management Practice in Collaborative Forest

Sustainable forest management practices have been just initiated in Nepal but its effect on species diversity, composition and stock have not assessed yet. Thus, this research was objectively carried out to explore and assess the effects of forest management activities on tree species diversity, composition, and its growing stock. The 1-yr and 7-yr old felling series (FS) as well as control plot of three sub-compartments in Tilaurakot collaborative forest were selected as study site. Stratified random sampling was applied based on felling series. Altogether 76 samples were taken in nested quadrate having 20m*25m for trees, 10m*10m for poles, 5m*5m for saplings and 5m*2m for seedlings respectively. Soil samples were collected from 0-10, 10-20 and 20-30cm depths. Diameter at breast height (DBH) and height of plant were measured. Species richness, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Simpson’s diversity index, Shannon diversity index and evenness were calculated as well as soil nutrients particularly N, P, K and OM were estimated. The Simpson’s diversity index, Shannon diversity index and evenness were found to be highest (0.740±0.052), (1.689±0.213) and (0.909±0.004) respectively in 1-yr old felling series at over storey on contrary it was found to be the highest (0.780 ± 0.035), (2.153 ± 0.261) and (0.935 ± 0.102) respectively at under storey in 7-yr old FS. However one-way ANOVA showed that there was no significant differences (p>0.05) in the indices values. The tree density and volume were found to be highest (62) and (84.71 m3 /ha) respectively in control plot. The soil N, P, K and OM were found to be highest at 0-10cm soil layer in all FS. The effects of management practices showed the variation in species diversity, composition and stock.

Keywords: Management, Diversity, Composition, Stock, Felling series.