Regeneration Status and Population Structure in Terai Community Forest: Evidence from Kalyankot Community Forest, Kapilvastu District, Nepal

Abstract

The regeneration status of a forest is an essential metrics to assess the regeneration potential and population structure of forests. In emerging nations like Nepal, however, human dependency on forests has had a negative influence on forest diversity and sustainability. This paper analyzes the regeneration status and its link with bio-physical aspects and human disturbances. The data were collected using a systematic random sampling method and sample plots were established using the fishnet tool in ArcGIS. An inventory survey of 96 plots was carried out with nested circular sample plots with a main radius of 1261 cm. The overall regeneration condition of the forest was found to be in good condition according to Community Forestry Inventory Guideline, 2004. The majority of the tree species were determined to have a sound quality and medium (II) grades in this study. In terms of the diameter class distribution, lower diameter classes (21-60 cm) comprised more adults than the upper diameter classes (61-120 cm). This study found no significant variations in the effects of biophysical factors, such as slope and aspect, on species regeneration. The study concludes the inadequate silvicultural management interventions in the forest. This information can be useful to devise systematic plans to promote good-quality regeneration and manage the factors that are likely to affect the overall regeneration. Further research focusing on other biophysical factors as well as social factors and their influence on regeneration including its management techniques is recommended.

Population structure and regeneration of Tsuga dumosa and Abies spectabilis across altitudinal gradient in Rasuwa district, central Nepal

“…Dhungana & Chhetri followed by the upper elevation stratum and inconsiderable in the lower elevation stratum which corresponds with the findings of Kharal et al (2015). Likewise, Chhetri et al (2023) found the forest in a good regeneration condition in the tropical region of Nepal, but our study found the seedling condition of T. dumosa species in 'medium' condition in the lower and middle elevation strata, while it was in a 'poor' state in the upper elevation stratum. On the other hand, the seedling condition of A. spectabilis, as per the CF Inventory Guidelines ( 2004), was deemed to be in a 'poor' state in all the three elevation strata.…”

“…Anthropogenic disturbances like grazing, logging, and fuelwood collection are identified as major contributors to forest degradation in Himalayan ecosystems (Maren & Sharma, 2018). Most of the population structure and regeneration studies are reported from the Terai forests of Nepal (Chhetri et al, 2023). However, there remains a significant gap in understanding the regeneration dynamics of the forests across the elevation gradient in the Nepal Himalaya (Kharal et al, 2015).…”