Evaluating Multi-Sensors Spectral and Spatial Resolutions for Tree Species Diversity Prediction

Forests contribute significantly to terrestrial biodiversity conservation. Monitoring of tree species diversity is vital due to climate change factors. Remote sensing imagery is a means of data collection for predicting diversity of tree species. Since various sensors have different spectral and spatial resolutions, it is worth comparing them to ascertain which could influence the accuracy of prediction of tree species diversity. Hence, this study evaluated the influence of the spectral and spatial resolutions of PlanetScope, RapidEye, Sentinel 2 and Landsat 8 images in diversity prediction based on the Shannon diversity index (H′), Simpson diversity Index (D1) and Species richness (S). The Random Forest regression was applied for the prediction using the spectral bands of the sensors as variables. The Sentinel 2 was the best image, producing the highest coefficient of determination (R2) under both the Shannon Index (R2 = 0.926) and the Species richness (R2 = 0.923). Both the Sentinel and RapidEye produced comparable higher accuracy for the Simpson Index (R2 = 0.917 and R2 = 0.915, respectively). The PlanetScope was the second-accurate for the Species richness (R2 = 0.90), whiles the Landsat 8 was the least accurate for the three diversity indices. The outcomes of this study suggest that both the spectral and spatial resolutions influence prediction accuracies of satellite imagery.

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A Random Forest Modelling Procedure for a Multi-Sensor Assessment of Tree Species Diversity

Remote Sensing ◽

10.3390/rs12071210 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (7) ◽

pp. 1210 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Giorgos Mallinis ◽

Irene Chrysafis ◽

Georgios Korakis ◽

Eleanna Pana ◽

Apostolos P. Kyriazopoulos

Keyword(s):

Species Diversity ◽

Random Forest ◽

Tree Species ◽

Diversity Index ◽

Remote Sensing Data ◽

Coefficient Of Determination ◽

Landsat 8 ◽

Observation Data ◽

Tree Species Diversity ◽

Forest Modelling

Earth observation data can provide important information for tree species diversity mapping and monitoring. The relatively recent advances in remote sensing data characteristics and processing systems elevate the potential of satellite imagery for providing accurate, timely, consistent, and robust spatially explicit estimates of tree species diversity over forest ecosystems. This study was conducted in Northern Pindos National Park, the largest terrestrial park in Greece and aimed to assess the potential of four satellite sensors with different instrumental characteristics, for the estimation of tree diversity. Through field measurements, we originally quantified two diversity indices, namely the Shannon diversity index (H’) and Simpson’s diversity (D1). Random forest regression models were developed for associating remotely sensed spectral signal with tree species diversity within the area. The models generated from the use of the WorldView-2 image were the most accurate with a coefficient of determination of up to 0.44 for H’ and 0.37 for D1. The Sentinel-2 -based models of tree species diversity performed slightly worse, but were better than the Landsat-8 and RapidEye models. The coefficient of variation quantifying internal variability of spectral values within each plot provided little or no usage for improving the modelling accuracy. Our results suggest that very-high-spatial-resolution imagery provides the most important information for the assessment of tree species diversity in heterogeneous Mediterranean ecosystems.

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Tree species diversity in the forest of Renikhayong para village in Bandarban, Bangladesh: a case study

Journal of Biodiversity Conservation and Bioresource Management ◽

10.3329/jbcbm.v5i2.44922 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 115-126 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

M Jannat ◽

M Kamruzzaman ◽

MA Hossain ◽

MK Hossain

Keyword(s):

Species Diversity ◽

Tree Species ◽

Diversity Index ◽

Sustainable Use ◽

Tree Height ◽

Diversity Indices ◽

Tree Species Diversity ◽

Height Range ◽

Hill District ◽

Number Of Individuals

The study was conducted to explore tree species diversity of Renikhayong para Village Common Forest (VCF) of Bandarban hill district. Stratified random sampling was carried out to assess the tree species diversity of the VCF. Renikhayong Para VCF with an area of 40 acres of land has more than 85 tree species belonging to 31 families, where Euphorbiaceae family was dominant containing 11 species followed by Rubiaceae (7 species), Moraceae (7 species), Meliaceae (5 species), Mimosaceae (5 species), Combretaceae (4 species), Lauraceae (4 species) and Anacardiaceae (3 species). Dominant tree species was Grewia nervosa. Renikhayong para VCF has diverse floristic resources that are known from the Shannon-Wiener’s diversity index (4.007), Simpson’s diversity index (0.028), Margalef’s richness index (13.21) and Species evenness index (0.90). However, number of species and number of individuals both were highest in the height range of 5 - <10 m. Similar trend was observed in dbh classes. Number of individuals were highest in dbh range of 5 - <15 cm and the lowest in ≥ 55 cm. The results depict the presence of maximum small trees in the VCF and decreasing the number of trees with the increase of tree height (m) and dbh (cm). Presence of diverse tree species and diversity indices indicate the importance and potential of the VCF for conservation and sustainable use. J. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag. 2019, 5(2): 115-126

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

Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management ◽

10.4314/jasem.v25i8.20 ◽

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.

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Investigating the Relationship between Tree Species Diversity and Landsat-8 Spectral Heterogeneity across Multiple Phenological Stages

Remote Sensing ◽

10.3390/rs13132467 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (13) ◽

pp. 2467

Author(s):

Sabelo Madonsela ◽

Moses A. Cho ◽

Abel Ramoelo ◽

Onisimo Mutanga

Keyword(s):

Species Diversity ◽

Plant Species ◽

Tree Species ◽

Diversity Indices ◽

Plant Species Diversity ◽

Landsat 8 ◽

Tree Species Diversity ◽

Phenological Stages ◽

Species Diversity Indices ◽

The Relationship

The emergence of the spectral variation hypothesis (SVH) has gained widespread attention in the remote sensing community as a method for deriving biodiversity information from remotely sensed data. SVH states that spectral heterogeneity on remotely sensed imagery reflects environmental heterogeneity, which in turn is associated with high species diversity and, therefore, could be useful for characterizing landscape biodiversity. However, the effect of phenology has received relatively less attention despite being an important variable influencing plant species spectral responses. The study investigated (i) the effect of phenology on the relationship between spectral heterogeneity and plant species diversity and (ii) explored spectral angle mapper (SAM), the coefficient of variation (CV) and their interaction effect in estimating species diversity. Stratified random sampling was adopted to survey all tree species with a diameter at breast height of > 10 cm in 90 × 90 m plots distributed throughout the study site. Tree species diversity was quantified by the Shannon diversity index (H′), Simpson index of diversity (D2) and species richness (S). SAM and CV were employed on Landsat-8 data to compute spectral heterogeneity. The study applied linear regression models to investigate the relationship between spectral heterogeneity metrics and species diversity indices across four phenological stages. The results showed that the end of the growing season was the most ideal phenological stage for estimating species diversity, following the SVH concept. During this period, SAM and species diversity indices (S, H′, D2) had an r2 of 0.14, 0.24, and 0.20, respectively, while CV had an r2 of 0.22, 0.22, and 0.25, respectively. The interaction of SAM and CV improved the relationship between the spectral data and H′ and D2 (from r2 of 0.24 and 0.25 to r2 of 0.32 and 0.28, respectively) at the end of the growing season. The two spectral heterogeneity metrics showed differential sensitivity to components of plant diversity. SAM had a high relationship with H′ followed by D2 and then a lower relationship with S throughout the different phenological stages. Meanwhile, CV had a higher relationship with D2 than other plant diversity indices and its relationship with S and H′ remained similar. Although the coefficient of determination was comparatively low, the relationship between spectral heterogeneity metrics and species diversity indices was statistically significant (p < 0.05) and this supports the assertion that SVH could be implemented to characterize plant species diversity. Importantly, the application of SVH should consider (i) the choice of spectral heterogeneity metric in line with the purpose of the SVH application since these metrics relate to components of species diversity differently and (ii) vegetation phenology, which affects the relationship that spectral heterogeneity has with plant species diversity.

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TREE SPECIES DIVERSITY IN A PRISTINE MONTANE FOREST PREVIOUSLY UNTOUCHED BY HUMAN ACTIVITIES IN FOJA MOUNTAINS, PAPUA, INDONESIA

REINWARDTIA ◽

10.14203/reinwardtia.v17i2.3546 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Asep Sadili ◽

Kuswata Kartawinata ◽

Herwasono Soedjito ◽

Edy Nasriadi Sambas

Keyword(s):

Species Diversity ◽

Tree Species ◽

Human Activities ◽

Diversity Index ◽

Basal Area ◽

Montane Forest ◽

Tree Species Diversity ◽

Importance Value ◽

Montane Forests ◽

Species Area

ADILI, A., KARTAWINATA, K., SOEDJITO, H. & SAMBAS, E. N. 2018. Tree species diversity in a pristine montane forest previously untouched by human activities in Foja Mountains, Papua, Indonesia. Reinwardtia 17(2): 133‒154. ‒‒ A study on structure and composition of the pristine montane forest previously untouched by human activities was conducted at the Foja Mountains in November 2008. We established a one-hectare plot divided into 100 subplots of 10 m × 10 m each. We enumerated all trees with DBH ≥ 10 cm which diameters were measured, heights were estimated and habitats were noted. We recorded 59 species, 42 genera and 27 families, comprising 693 trees with the total basal area (BA) of 41.35 m2/ha. The forest had lower species richness compared to those of lowland forests in Kalimantan, and Sumatra and montane forests in West Java. The Shannon-Wiener’s diversity index was 3.22. Nothofagus rubra (Importance Value, IV=47.89%) and Parinari corymbosa (IV=40.3%) were the dominant species, constituting the basis for designating the forest as the Nothofagus rubra - Parinari corymbosa association. To date, the dominance of N. rubra is unique to the Foja Mountains, as elsewhere in Papua the montane forests were dominated by N. pullei or other species. The species-area curve indicated a minimal area of 5000 m2. On the family level Fagaceae (IV=53.23%), Chrysobalanaceae (IV=40.53%) and Myristicaceae (IV=26.43%) were dominant. Verti-cally the forest consisted of four strata (A–D). In each stratum Nothofagus rubra, Platea latifolia, Parinari corymbosa and Myristica hollrungii were dominant. The diameter class distribution of Nothofagus rubra, Parinari corymbosa and Platea latifolia led us to assume that these species were regenerating well.

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Deep Learning Approaches for the Mapping of Tree Species Diversity in a Tropical Wetland Using Airborne LiDAR and High-Spatial-Resolution Remote Sensing Images

Forests ◽

10.3390/f10111047 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 1047 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Ying Sun ◽

Jianfeng Huang ◽

Zurui Ao ◽

Dazhao Lao ◽

Qinchuan Xin

Keyword(s):

Remote Sensing ◽

Deep Learning ◽

Species Diversity ◽

Spatial Resolution ◽

Tree Species ◽

High Spatial Resolution ◽

Diversity Index ◽

Tree Species Diversity ◽

Individual Tree ◽

Rgb Images

The monitoring of tree species diversity is important for forest or wetland ecosystem service maintenance or resource management. Remote sensing is an efficient alternative to traditional field work to map tree species diversity over large areas. Previous studies have used light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and imaging spectroscopy (hyperspectral or multispectral remote sensing) for species richness prediction. The recent development of very high spatial resolution (VHR) RGB images has enabled detailed characterization of canopies and forest structures. In this study, we developed a three-step workflow for mapping tree species diversity, the aim of which was to increase knowledge of tree species diversity assessment using deep learning in a tropical wetland (Haizhu Wetland) in South China based on VHR-RGB images and LiDAR points. Firstly, individual trees were detected based on a canopy height model (CHM, derived from LiDAR points) by the local-maxima-based method in the FUSION software (Version 3.70, Seattle, USA). Then, tree species at the individual tree level were identified via a patch-based image input method, which cropped the RGB images into small patches (the individually detected trees) based on the tree apexes detected. Three different deep learning methods (i.e., AlexNet, VGG16, and ResNet50) were modified to classify the tree species, as they can make good use of the spatial context information. Finally, four diversity indices, namely, the Margalef richness index, the Shannon–Wiener diversity index, the Simpson diversity index, and the Pielou evenness index, were calculated from the fixed subset with a size of 30 × 30 m for assessment. In the classification phase, VGG16 had the best performance, with an overall accuracy of 73.25% for 18 tree species. Based on the classification results, mapping of tree species diversity showed reasonable agreement with field survey data (R2Margalef = 0.4562, root-mean-square error RMSEMargalef = 0.5629; R2Shannon–Wiener = 0.7948, RMSEShannon–Wiener = 0.7202; R2Simpson = 0.7907, RMSESimpson = 0.1038; and R2Pielou = 0.5875, RMSEPielou = 0.3053). While challenges remain for individual tree detection and species classification, the deep-learning-based solution shows potential for mapping tree species diversity.

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Influence of elevations on woody tree species diversity in Nam Kar Natural Reserve of Daklak province, Vietnam

Journal of Vietnamese Environment ◽

10.13141/jve.vol8.no2.pp95-101 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 95-101

Author(s):

Thi Thanh Huong Nguyen ◽

Thi Nhu Quynh Chau

Keyword(s):

Species Diversity ◽

Species Composition ◽

Tree Species ◽

Stand Structure ◽

Satellite Image ◽

Landsat 8 ◽

Tree Species Diversity ◽

Number Of Species ◽

Natural Reserve ◽

Forest Strata

This paper describes the influence of elevation on woody tree species diversity in Nam Kar Natural Reserve of Daklak, of which remote sensing and GIS techniques were used as the tools in biodiversity inventory and assessment. The whole Reserve area was divided into four elevation classes based on DEM (Digital Elevation Model) using GIS technique. Landsat 8 satellite image was employed to stratify the forest into the four strata. A total of 4 transect lines of 100 m in length and 20 m in width (abbreviated as H1, H2, H3, and H4) established in east-west direction representing for 4 elevation classes was used for surveying biodiversity and stand structure. The different diversity indices were compared among the different elevation classes. The relationships between reflectance value of sat- ellite image, forest strata with biodiversity indices were also analysed. The result shows that the diversity of woody tree species is different among elevation classes. Based on sample plots a total of 135 tree species belonging to 42 genera was found in this area. Although a low inverse correlations were found between number of species composition, basal area, and tree density with DNs, most correlation was statistically insignificant 95%. However, a medium relation between forest strata and number of species composition were found with correlation coefficient r = 0.53 (P<0.00) in the area. Nghiên cứu này đánh giá đa dạng thực vật thân gỗ tại khu bảo tồn thiên nhiên Nam Kar theo các cấp độ cao khác nhau. Nghiên cứu đã sử dụng ảnh vệ tinh và kỹ thuật GIS để hỗ trong trong việc điều tra và đánh giá đa dạng sinh học. Toàn bộ khu bảo tồn được chia thành 4 cấp độ cao dựa vào mô hình số độ cao (DEM) được thực hiện bằng kỹ thuật GIS. Ảnh Landsat 8 đã được sử dụng để phân chia rừng thành 4 khối trạng thái. Có 4 ô tiêu chuẩn dạng dải có kích thước 100m chiều dài và 20m chiều rộng được đặt ở từng đai cao (viết tắt là H1, H2, H3, và H4) theo hướng cố định Đông – Tây để điều tra đa dạng sinh học và cấu trúc lâm phần của thực vật thân gỗ ở từng đai cao. Các chỉ số đa dạng sinh học đã được so sánh trong từng cấp độ cao. Mối quan hệ giữa giá trị ảnh, hiện trạng rừng với các chỉ số đa dạng cũng được phân tích. Kết quả nghiên cứu cho thấy có sự khác biệt về đa dạng loài thực vật thân gỗ theo từng đai cao. Dựa vào ô mẫu nghiên cứu cũng đã ước tính có 135 loài thuộc 42 chi có trong vùng nghiên cứu. Một số đặc điểm lâm phần như thành phần loài, tiết diệt ngang bình quân và mật độ cây có mối tương quan nghịch với giá trị ảnh vệ tinh tuy nhiên mối quan hệ này không có ý nghĩa thống kê ở độ tin cậy 95%. Tuy vậy nghiên cứu cho thấy có mối tương quan tương quan khá chặt giữa số loài và các khối hiện trạng rừng với hệ số tương quan là 0.53 ở mức P<0.00.

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Assessing Fruit Tree Species Diversity in Home Garden Agro-Forestry and Their Role Supporting Local People’s Livelihoods in Burie District, Ethiopia

Turkish Journal of Agriculture - Food Science and Technology ◽

10.24925/turjaf.v7i7.946-954.1977 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (7) ◽

pp. 946

Author(s):

Alebachew Abebe Alemu ◽

Habtamu Kiros ◽

Eba Muluneh Sorecha

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Species Diversity ◽

Tree Species ◽

Fruit Tree ◽

Home Gardens ◽

Home Garden ◽

Cultivated Plants ◽

Tree Species Diversity ◽

Wealth Status ◽

Agro Forestry

Clearing of natural ecosystems and land degradation due to unsustainable agricultural practices are becoming threats to the sustainability and productivity of agricultural systems in Burie town administrative, Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia. The aim of this paper is therefore to assess the fruit tree species diversity in home garden agro-forestry and their role for supporting local people’s livelihoods in Burie town administration. Cultivated plants of 72 home gardens were surveyed and critical information were collected through questioner and focus group discussion from 12 households. Fruit tree species diversity (expressed in species richness and evenness) in home gardens in the study sites was determined using the Shannon-Weiner Index. The study basically considers the human consumption fruit trees species. A total of 18 fruit tree species represented by 9-genera and 7-families were recorded in home garden agro-forestry within the three wealth status (poor, medium, and rich) of the selected respondents commonly. From all wealth categories, the highest Shannon diversity index was recorded in rich and the lowest was in poor class category. Similarly, the highest species evenness was recorded in rich wealth category. However, there was no significant difference among rich and medium wealth categories for species richness. The study also revealed that age, land hold size, education status is the cause for species diversity in addition to the wealth status in the study area. Older respondents had significantly higher species richness and diversity than youngsters. It has been also found that almost all (100%) of the sampled households harvest and use at least four types of home garden products for various purposes. Lacks of management practices were the factors which puts the species diversity in question in the study area.

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Analyzing the Relationship, Distribution of Tree Species Diversity, and Above-Ground Biomass on the Chitwan-Annapurna Landscape in Nepal

International Journal of Forestry Research ◽

10.1155/2020/2789753 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Shiva Pokhrel ◽

Chungla Sherpa

Keyword(s):

Species Diversity ◽

Sea Level ◽

Tree Species ◽

Diversity Index ◽

Tree Species Diversity ◽

Above Ground Biomass ◽

Breast Height ◽

Ground Biomass ◽

The Relationship ◽

Landscape Level

Forests provide numerous ecosystem goods and services. Their roles are considered as important for both climate mitigation and adaptation program. In Nepal, there are significant forest resources which are distributed in different regions; however, the studies on the spatial tree species distribution and the above-ground biomass and their relationship at the landscape level have not been well studied. This study aims to analyze the relationship, distribution of tree species diversity, and above-ground biomass at a landscape level. The data used for this study were obtained from the Forest Research and Training Center of Nepal, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), and Worldwide Wildlife Fund (WWF-Nepal). The landscape has a mean of 191.89 tons ha−1 of the above-ground biomass. The highest amount of the above-ground biomass measured was 650 tons ha−1 with 96 individual trees, and the least was 3.428 tons ha−1. The measured mean height of the tree was 11.77 m, and diameter at breast height (DBH) was 18.59 cm. In the case of the spatial distribution of the above-ground biomass, plots distributed at the middle altitude range greater than 900 meters above sea level (m. a. s. l) to 3000 meters above sea level taking more amount of the above-ground biomass (AGB). Similarly, the highest plot-level Shannon diversity index (H’) was 2.75 with an average of 0.96 at the middle altitude region followed by the lower region with an average of 0.89 and least 0.87 at a higher elevation. Above-ground biomass (R2 = 0.48) and tree height (R2 = 0.506) significantly increased with increasing elevation up to a certain level increased of elevation. Diameter at breast height (DBH) showed significance (R2 = 0.364) but small increase with increasing elevation, while the relationship among tree species diversity index, above-ground biomass, and elevation showed a weak and very weak positive relationship with R2 = 0.018 and R2 = 0.002, respectively. Based on the overall results, it is concluded that elevation has some level of influence on the forest tree diversity and above-ground biomass. The finding of this study could be useful for landscape-level resource management and planning under various changes.

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Community forestry adoption based on multipurpose tree species diversity towards to sustainable forest management in ICEF of University of Lampung, Indonesia

Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity ◽

10.13057/biodiv/d190344 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 19 (3) ◽

pp. 1102-1109 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

CHRISTINE WULANDARI ◽

AFIF BINTORO ◽

RUSITA RUSITA ◽

TRIO SANTOSO ◽

DURYAT DURYAT ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Forest Management ◽

Species Diversity ◽

Tree Species ◽

Sustainable Forest Management ◽

Community Forestry ◽

Diversity Index ◽

Conservation Education ◽

Tree Species Diversity ◽

Multipurpose Tree ◽

Multipurpose Tree Species

Wulandari C, Bintoro A, Rusita, Santoso T, Duryat, Kaskoyo H, Erwin, Budiono P. 2018. Community forestry adoption basedon multipurpose tree species diversity towards to sustainable forest management in ICEF of University of Lampung, Indonesia.Biodiversitas 19: 1102-1109. Integrated Conservation Education Forest (ICEF) of University of Lampung (Unila) at Wan AbdulRachman (WAR) Forest Park is a conservation forest which should be free from any kinds of human activities. In fact, more than 75%the area has been managed by community hence there is a need for management strategy through Community Forestry (CF). It is knownthat there are a lot of Multipurpose Tree Species (MPTS) that can be utilized for the community’s daily life. The research’s objectivesare to analyze the ability of the community to adopt CF scheme, to calculate the diversity index of MPTS and level of Skill KnowledgeAttitude (SKA) and to determine the correlation variables to sustainable CF. This study used Shannon-Wiener diversity index, analysisof SKA level and regression analysis for adoption level. The results of this study noted that at the research site has diversity index 0.115and 74.29% of plants are MPTS. Based on the data analysis, 168 respondents [89%] agree to adopt CF scheme and level of their SKA ismoderate therefore needs to increase this level towards to forest sustainability. There are three variables of community forestry adoptiontoward to sustainable forest management at ICEF: number of trees species, the volume of forest products that would be sold, and rolesof extension education.

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