Quantitative assessment of tree species diversity of Himchari National Park (HNP) in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

Abstract

Abstract. Hossen S, Hossain MK, Hossain MA, Uddin MF. 2020. Quantitative assessment of tree species diversity of Himchari National Park (HNP) in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Asian J For 5: 1-7. Himchari National Park (HNP) in Cox’s Bazar is an important conservation area in Bangladesh that is threatened by human disturbances, urging for vegetation assessment for monitoring and management purposes. The aim of the study was to assess the tree species diversity, composition and structure of HNP through stratified random sampling method using sample plots (51) of 20 m x 20 m in size during the period of January 2017 to May 2018. A total of 961 stems (dbh ? 5 cm) of 88 tree species belonging to 64 genera and 37 families were enumerated where the stem density and basal area were 457.39 stem ha^-1 and 10.979 m² ha^-1 respectively. On the other hand, the species diversity index, Shannon-Wiener’s diversity index, Shannon’s maximum diversity index, species evenness index, Margalef’s diversity index, and Simpson’s diversity index were 0.092, 3.733 ± 0.0071, 4.477, 0.834, 12.667 and 0.039 ± 0.0003 respectively. The highest Importance Value Index (IVI) was found for Acacia auriculiformis (23.23) followed by Tectona grandis (13.05), Gmelina arborea (12.66), Syzygium fruticosum (12.34), Casuarina equisetifolia (10.57), and Dipterocarpus turbinatus (10.55). Height range of 3 - <8 m and dbh class of 5 - <15 cm had the highest percentage of individuals with 59.83% and 65.97%, respectively. The outcome of present study suggests the protection, sustainable management, and conservation of the tree resources of HNP, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.