scholarly journals Understory Species Diversity, Regeneration and Recruitment Potential of Sacred Groves in South West Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Onyekwelu ◽  
A. Lawal ◽  
R. Mosandl ◽  
B. Stimm ◽  
A. D. Agbelade
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Sacred Grove ◽  
Sacred Groves ◽  
Southwestern Nigeria ◽  
Understory Species ◽  
Regeneration Status ◽  
Wiener Diversity Index ◽  
High Regeneration ◽  
Overstory Trees

Abstract Background Global species extinction rates due to forest conversions are increasing. Ecologists, conservationists and governments have adopted various conservation methods. Sacred grove is one conservation option that has gained attention in recent time. We assessed understory species diversity, regeneration and recruitment potentials of four sacred groves in southwestern Nigeria. Overstory tree species were inventoried in eight 800m2 temporary sample plots, systematically laid along two transects of 1000m each. Understory tree species were assessed in 100m2 plots for saplings and 25m2 plots for seedlings in all sample plots. Results Shannon-Wiener diversity index (1.8-3.46 (overstory); 2.65-3.55 (understory)), number of species (32-58 (overstory); 39-78 (understory)) and tree density (309-417 individuals/ha (overstory); 775-1445 individuals/ha (understory)) were comparable and/or higher at the understories than the overstories. Dbh distribution curves showed highest stand density at the lowest class (10–20 cm) and decreased with increasing dbh, indicating good regeneration status and healthy ecosystem. Regeneration was considered good and fair, because in most cases, number of seedlings > saplings > overstory trees or number of seedlings > saplings ≤ overstory trees. The good regeneration status was further confirmed by the good species recruitment in the understory. Some tree species were found to be unique to some sacred groves while some species that were absent in protected forests existed in the groves. The presence of these unique tree species indicated the potential of sacred groves in conserving important tree species. The high regeneration could be attributed to strict access restrictions in the groves, and the taboos and myths feared by the people. However, the high influx of people into sacred groves for festivals and rituals, which results in trampling and burning of seedlings, is a threat to the diversity, regeneration and recruitment potentials of the groves.Conclusion High regeneration and recruitment status maintained in all the sacred groves in this study were achieved using taboos, cultural and traditional methods. These methods could be incorporated in managing forest reserves in Southwestern Nigeria.

Tree Diversity Conservation Initiatives in Sacred Groves of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-68
Author(s):  
Laxmi Joshi Shrestha ◽  
Mohan Devkota ◽  
Bhuvan Keshar Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Management System ◽  
Survey Methods ◽  
Belief Systems ◽  
Decisive Role ◽  
Diversity Indices ◽  
Kathmandu Valley ◽  
Sacred Grove ◽  
Sacred Groves ◽  
The Government

 The study was conducted in two sacred groves of Kathmandu Valley, Pashupati Sacred Grove, and Bajrabarahi Sacred Grove, aiming to analyze the diversity of tree species and their role in conserving biodiversity. Parallel transects with concentric circular plot survey methods were applied for data collection. During the study, 23 tree species belonging to 22 genera and 15 families were recorded in Pashupati sacred grove, whereas only 19 tree species belonging to 16 genera and 13 families were recorded from Bajrabarahi Sacred Grove. The Shannon-Weiner diversity indices were higher (H=1.91) in Pashupati Sacred Grove compared to Bajrabarahi Sacred Grove, with 1.80 Shanon-Weiner Indices. Three types of forest were recorded from Pashupati Sacred Grove, namely the Schima-Pyrus forest, Myrsine-Persea forest, and Quercus-Myrsine forest, and only one Neolitsiacuipala forest from Bajrabarahi Sacred Grove. The sacred grove is one of the pioneers and community-based management regimes of the forest resource management system. It plays a decisive role in biodiversity conservation as it associated with many taboos and belief systems, thus providing a better opportunity for conservation compared to that of the government management system.

Corticolous Lichen Species Diversity on Dominant Trees in Selected Sacred Groves of Paschim Medinipur District, West Bengal, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 63 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 447-464
Author(s):  
U. K. Sen ◽  
R. K. Bhakat
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
West Bengal ◽  
Lichen Species ◽  
Growth Forms ◽  
Sacred Groves ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Shorea Robusta ◽  
Lichen Diversity ◽  
Community Based Conservation

Sacred groves are the fairly well-protected system of community-based conservation of tree patches on account of their association with village gods, and repository of many rare and threatened elements of biodiversity. There are, however, few publications on lichens of sacred groves. The lichens have long been regarded as sensitive indicators for monitoring environmental state. The present study reports one hundred and sixteen species of lichens from forty-four genera of nineteen families in four selected sacred groves of Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal. These lichens represent two different growth forms, i.e. crustose (105 species) and foliose (11 species). Shorea robusta, a dominant tree species in two sacred groves bears the highest lichen diversity with seventy-four species. To better understand the related biodiversity and climate, this work is likely to promote further studies on lichen diversity in other regions of West Bengal.

scholarly journals PHYTOSOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS AND FLORISTRIC DIVERSITY OF VANEESWARAM KAVU IN KANNUR DISTRICT, KERALA

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 19-23
Author(s):  
Jeeshna M.V
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Analysis ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Vascular Plants ◽  
Quantitative Approach ◽  
Sacred Grove ◽  
Sacred Groves ◽  
Conservation Of Biodiversity

Sacred groves act as a treasure house for rare and medicinal plants. Apart from the quantitative analysis quantitative approach to sacred grove gives the potential species and importance of sacred grove, which is the main focuses of this work. There are many sacred grooves are present at Kannur district in whichVaneeswaram Kavu is one of the important one. The flora of sacred groves of has analysed taxonomically and phytosociologically. A total of 64 vascular plants falling under 61 genera and 43 families were documented. About 12 species are reported in the red listed category. In phytosociological studies specieslike, Elaeocarpus serratus, Erycibe paniculata and Scleria lithosperma were showing higher IVI. The devastation of species diversity in the study area represent there is an urgent need for regeneration of the species for conservation of biodiversity.

scholarly journals Tree Species Diversity and Abundance of Akure Forest Reserve, Ondo State, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 1415-1419
Author(s):  
O.M. Ogundele ◽  
P.O. Ige ◽  
Y.T. Owoeye ◽  
D.E. Abanikanda ◽  
O.O. Komolafe
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Population Distribution ◽  
Diversity Index ◽  
Diversity Indices ◽  
Tree Species Diversity ◽  
Forest Reserve ◽  
Wiener Diversity Index ◽  
Permanent Sample Plot ◽  
Ondo State

This study was carried out to examine the tree species diversity and abundance in a natural forest ecosystem in the Southwestern region of Nigeria. Data were collected from a four equal size sampling plot of 50×50m in a permanent sample plot section of Akure Forest Reserve. All living trees with DBH ≥ 10cm were measured and identified. A total of 956 trees were encountered. These trees were from 42 genera and 20 families. Celtis zenkeri belonging to the family of Ulmaceae was the species with the highest population distribution while Sterculiaceae was the dominant family in the study area. The Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index (Hˈ) of 3.196 and species evenness of 0.84 were obtained from the study area. The high values of diversity indices obtained indicated that the forest is rich in biodiversity and hence should be protected from any forms of disturbance to enhance sustainability as well as protect the rare species in it from going into extinction.

scholarly journals Woody Species Diversity, Structure, and Regeneration Status of Yemrehane Kirstos Church Forest of Lasta Woreda, North Wollo Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanuel Ayanaw Abunie ◽  
Gemedo Dalle
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Diversity Index ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Amhara Region ◽  
Regeneration Status ◽  
Wiener Diversity Index ◽  
Woody Species Diversity ◽  
Church Forest ◽  
North Wollo ◽  
Diversity Structure

This study is aimed at generating data on woody species diversity, structure, and regeneration status of some species and was conducted in Yemrehane Kirstos Church Forest of Lasta Woreda, North Wollo Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Six transect lines were laid following altitudinal gradient. Quadrats of size 20 m × 20 m (400m2) were used to collect data that were established systematically at every 100 m interval along the transect lines. Data on woody species was collected from a total of 34 sampling quadrats of 400m2. To collect data on seedlings and saplings, five subplots of 1 m × 1m (1m2) size located at the four corners and centre of the main plot were used. Species diversity was determined using the Shannon-Wiener index (H′). A total of 39 woody species belonging to 38 genera and 29 families were identified in Yemrehane Kirstos Church Forest. The overall Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H′) and evenness values for the entire forest were 2.88 and 0.79, respectively. The six most abundant woody species in their order of highest density were Juniperus procera, Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata, Maytenus arbutifolia, Osyris quadripartita, Calpurnia aurea, and Debregeasia saeneb. The densities for mature woody species, saplings, and seedlings were 506.6, 514.7, and 415.4 individuals ha−1, respectively. The basal area of the forest is 72 m2 ha−1. The population structure and regeneration status of the forest indicated that there have been high forest degradation and severe anthropogenic disturbances in the area and, therefore, conservation of species, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable use of the forest genetic resources are recommended as a result of this study.

scholarly journals Regeneration status and species diversity of major tree species under scientific forest management in Kapilbastu district, Nepal

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 26-39
Author(s):  
B. Aryal ◽  
S. Regmi ◽  
S. Timilsina
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Diversity Indices ◽  
Management Technique ◽  
Timber Species ◽  
Natural Forests ◽  
Regeneration Status ◽  
The Simpsons ◽  
Regeneration Condition

In Nepal, scientific forest managementhas been practiced as an effective forest management technique to utilize forest resources sustainably. However, the program has faced many controversies such as intentional logging of only high-valued timber species like Shorearobusta. In addition, few believe this program is severely affecting the regeneration productivity and species diversity in the natural forests. In order to address these issues, we examinedthe regeneration condition and plant species diversity in the stands where scientific forest management operations were carried out. The data related to regeneration status and species diversity were collected using a systematic random sampling of the selected stands. Our results showed good regeneration conditions (Seedling >5000, Sapling>2000) in all the studied stands. The tree species community was dominated by S.robusta(Sal) followed by Schleicheraoleosa (Kusum) and Casia fistula (Rajbriksha). The value of diversity indices of different species varied significantly between felling series. The highest diversity was found in the second year felling series with the Simpsons Index of dominance value 0.6934 and the lowest species diversity was in the first year felling series with a value of 0.8448. It can be recommended that the regeneration felling practice has helped in promoting the regeneration condition and growth.  

scholarly journals Tree regeneration in sacred groves of Kathmandu valley, Nepal

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
pp. 29-38
Author(s):  
L.J. Shrestha ◽  
M.P. Devkota ◽  
B.K. Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Tree Regeneration ◽  
Kathmandu Valley ◽  
Sacred Groves ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Regeneration Status ◽  
Schima Wallichii ◽  
Castanopsis Indica ◽  
Pyrus Pashia

Population structure and regeneration status of tree species were studied in two sacred groves of Kathmandu valley, Pashupati (PSG) and Bajrabarahi (BSG) by sampling in concentric circular plots of 20 m radius. The dominant tree species of PSG are Schima wallichii, Pyrus pashia, Myrsine capitellata, Persea odoratissima and Quercus glauca, where as those in BSG are Neolitsea cuipala, Castanopsis indica,, Choerospondias axillaris, Schima wallichii and, Myrsine capitellata. On the basis of biomass removal, tree cutting, livestock and wildlife grazing and other anthropogenic activities, disturbance levels were classified as undisturbed, least disturbed, moderately disturbed and highly disturbed. The highest number of seedlings, saplings and adults were found in the least disturbed areas of the studied groves showing good to fair regeneration of tree species. In this study Pyrus pashia, Myrsine capitellata, Castanopsis indica, Neolitsea cuipala are found in good and fair state of regeneration. Management authority should address the prevalent factors affecting natural regeneration of the tree species.ECOPRINT 22: 29-38, 2015

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