The Riparian Tree Species Composition and Diversity of the Midstream of Halda River in Chittagong, Bangladesh

Abstract

Riparian vegetation has been depleting in the many river basins of Bangladesh. Consequently, this study assessed the tree species composition, structure and diversity of the midstream area of the Halda River in Bangladesh. Twenty two quadrats (20 × 20m in size) were sampled. A total of 414 individual tree stems of ≥10 cm DBH of 36 tree species belonging to 31 genera and 15 families were enumerated. Density, Basal area and volume of the tree species were measured. Different diversity indices, i.e. Shannon-Wienners Diversity Index, Simpson's Dominance Index, Pielou’s Species Evenness Index, Margalef's and Menhinick’s richness index were calculated. Fabaceae was the most represented family with nine species, followed by Moraceae, Meliaceae and Anacardiaceae. Density, basal area and volume of the trees were 470.45 stem/ha, 19.09m²/ha and 139.42m³/ha, respectively. Samanea saman was found to be dominant, showing a maximum IVI, followed by v, Mangifer aindica, Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Artocarpus heterophyllus. The findings of the study will be helpful for the posterior researchers in their research work and their future tree based planning programs and conservation. So it is recommended that greater emphasis should be taken to proper management and conservation against over extraction and illegal felling for the maintenance of existing tree species composition and density.