Assessment of plant diversity in Khadimnagar National Park of Bangladesh

Abstract

The study described the diversity of plant species (trees, shrubs and herbs) in Khadimnagar National Park of Bangladesh. A stratified random quadrate method was employed in the study. A total of 74 plant species were recorded of which 26 were tree species, 17 were shrubs and 31 were herbs. Among the tree species, Tectona grandis showed the highest density (3.03/l00m2), frequency (76.67%), relative density (17.7%), relative frequency (11.3%) and relative dominance (37.3%). On the contrary, Alstonia scholaris represented the lowest density (0.07/100m2), frequency (6.67%), relative density (0.39%) and relative frequency (0.99%). The lowest relative dominance was found in Sterculia villosa (0.14%). However, species with the highest abundance was calculated in Chickrassia tabularis (4.58) whereas the lowest was recorded in Alstonia scholaris, Cynometra polyandra, Sterculia villosa (1). Moreover, highest importance value index was measured in Tectona grandis (66.3) while the lowest was showed by Alstonia scholaris (1.54). Concerning shrub species, Clerodendrum viscosum represented the highest density (1.03/4m2) and frequency (50%). In contrast, lowest density (0.08/4m2) and frequency (8.33%) were measured in Antidesma ghaesembila. Species with the highest abundance was found in Urena lobata (2.35) whereas the lowest was showed by Antidesma ghaesembila (1). With regard to the herb species, Thysalonema maxima showed the highest density (1.03/4m2). On the other hand, lowest density was measured in Seseli indicum (0. 114m2). The calculation depicted that Eryngium foetidum had the highest frequency (45%) and the lowest was found in Seseli indicum (8.33%). But, species with the highest abundance was recorded in Centella asiatica (2.69) while the lowest was calculated in Amaranthus spinosus (1.07). Species of shrubs and herbs showed random to contagious distribution pattern. Shannon-Wiener diversity index were 2.76, 2.56 and 3.27 for trees, shrubs and herbs respectively.