Population Characteristics, Habitat Preference and Bark Harvest Potential of Daphne Bholua in Madane Protected Forest, Gulmi, Nepal
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Population Characteristics, Habitat Preference and Bark Harvest Potential of Daphne bholua in Madane Protected Forest, Gulmi, Nepal A Dissertation Submitted for the Partial Fulfillment of the Master Degree in Botany Submitted by Bikram Jnawali Roll No: Bot 108/071 T.U. Regd. No: 5–249–3–2010 Batch: 2071/73 Plant Systematics and Biodiversity Conservation Unit Central Department of Botany Institute of Science and Technology Tribhuvan University Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal April 2019 RECOMMENDATION It is hereby recommended that Bikram Jnawali, M.Sc. Botany final semester student of ‘Plant Systematics and Biodiversity Conservation Unit’ at Tribhuvan University, Institute of Science and Technology, Kirtipur, Kathmandu has carried out the research work entitled Population Characteristics, Habitat Preference and Bark Harvest Potential of Daphne bholua in Madane Protected Forest, Gulmi, Nepal under my supervision. The entire work is based on the field work performed by him and brings out some useful findings in the field of plant science. As per my knowledge, this work has not been submitted for any other academic degree. I, therefore recommend this dissertation to be accepted for the partial fulfillment of the requirement of Master’s Degree in Botany at the Insititute of Science and Technology, Tribhuvan University. ………………………………….. (Supervisor) Suresh Kumar Ghimire, Ph.D. Associate Professor Central Department of Botany Tribhuvan University, Nepal Date 25th April, 2019 i LETTER OF APPROVAL The M.Sc. dissertation entitled “Population Characteristics, Habitat Preference and Bark Harvest Potential of Daphne bholua in Madane Protected Forest, Gulmi, Nepal” submitted by Bikram Jnawali has been accepted for the partial fulfillment of Master’s Degree in Botany (Plant Systematics and Biodiversity Conservation Unit) Expert Committee: ……………………………… …………………………… (Supervisor) (Head of the Department) Suresh Kumar Ghimire, Ph.D. Ram Kailash Prasad Yadav, Ph. D. Associate Professor Professor Central Department of Botany Central Department of Botany Tribhuvan University, Nepal Tribhuvan University, Nepal …………………………….. ……………………………… (External Examiner) Internal Examiner Uddhab Raj Khadka, Ph. D. Anjana Devkota, Ph.D. Associate Professor Associate Professor Central Department of Environment Science Central Department of Botany Tribhuvan University, Nepal Tribhuvan University, Nepal Date ……………………….. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express the deepest appreciation to my respected supervisor Dr. Suresh Kumar Ghimire, Associate Professor, Central Department of Botany for providing me with invaluable suggestions, competent guidance, continuous encouragement and valuable advices throughout the preparation of this dissertation. My thanks to him will always be counted less in front of his support and all the motivations. I am grateful to Prof. Dr. Ram Kailash Prasad Yadav, Head of Central Department of Botany for his administrative support during study work. My warmest thanks are due to Prof. Mohan Siwakoti and Prof. Mohan Panthi, former Head, Central Department of Botany for their valuable suggestions, encouraging words, and necessary help during my study. I am thankful to Prof. Dr. Bijaya Pant, Prof. Dr.Sangeeta Rajbhandary, Dr. Bharat Babu Shrestha, Dr. Chitra Bahadur Baniya and Dr. Chandra Prasad Pokharel for their support and all the motivations during my study. Similarly, I am thankful to all the respected teachers and staff members of Central Department of Botany. I would like to express sincere thanks to Department of Forest, Government of Nepal, for granting me the permission for this study. I would like to thank the officials of District Forest Office Gulmi, Madane Protrcted Forest Banjhkateri for providing permission to conduct my research work and their valuable help during filed visit. I am also thankful to Mr. Chabilal Sharma, Mr. Dayanidhi Bhusal, Ms. Ramita Bhusal and all the local peoples of Madane Protected Forest for providing necessary help, suggestions and information about the study site. My special thanks go to Mr. Mukti Ram Poudel for providing me the much–needed knowledge about data collection, data entry and data analysis throughout my study. I would like to thank Dr. Birendra Karna and Dr. Lila Nath Sharma for sharing their knowledge and experience regarding to the research. Acknowledgements also goes to Mr. James Siddartha Lucas, Mr. Yagya Raj Paneru, Ms. Sunita Shrestha, Ms. Pratikshya Chalise, Mr. Suresh Paneru for support and suggestions. I also extend my special thanks to all the friends and colleagues for their active help and support from beginning to the completion of this research work. In particular, I would like to take this opportunity to admire my friends Mr. Ajay Neupane, Ms. iii Sabana Perveen, Mr. Ganesh Joshi, Ms. Shristhi Nepal for their never–ending support, invaluably constructive criticism and friendly advice during the entire work. My thanks go to Mr. Basudev Poudel who helped me to prepare GIS map. I would also like to thank my friends, Ms. Prativa Paneru, Ms. Ashika Bhusal, Mr. Subash Nyaupane, Mr. Hari G.M., Ms. Illina Bajracharya, Ms. Mamita Shakya, Ms. Basanti Bhatt, Ms. Pooja Joshi, and Ms. Sushila Sharma for their help and support. My words of thank is also due to my senior and junior friends of Central Department of Botany. Nobody has been more important to me in the pursuit of this project than the members of my family. I would like to thank my parents; whose love and guidance are with me in whatever I pursue. They are the ultimate role models. Most importantly, I wish to thank my loving and supportive parents Mr. Rajendra Gyawali, Mrs. Bhagwati Gyawali, Ms. Bandana Gyawali and Ms. Brasha Gyawali for their unending support and inspiration. ……………………… Bikram Jnawali Date iv ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ANOVA Analysis of variance GoN Government of Nepal RDA Redundancy Analysis DCA Detrended Correspondence Analysis MPF Madane Protected Forest NR Near Threatened IUCN International Union for Nature Conservation HMG His Majesty’s Government KATH National Herbarium and Plant Laboratories TUCH Tribhuvan University Central Herbarium, Kathmandu SE Standard Error SOC Soil Organic Carbon NTFP Non–Timber Forest Product SPSS Statistical Program for Social Science US$ United State Dollar ITC International Trade Center FSRO Forestry Services v ABSTRACT Unsustainable harvest of non–timber forest products (NTFPs) for commercial purpose may cause severe impacts to the harvested populations. Therefore, there is a need for studies pertaining to their sustainable management. Sustainability of NTFP harvesting depends upon plant performance and growth strategy. Daphne bholua Buch. – Ham. Ex D. Don is a potential non–timber forest product (NTFP), whose bark is extracted for making Nepali handmade paper. Studies pertaining to its bark potential, habitat characteristics and population status are limited in Nepal. We evaluated its habitat characteristics, bark potential and regeneration potentialities along an elevation gradient in Madane Protected Forest (MPF). Altogether 108 plots (5×5) m were established along three elevation sites each of 200–meter elevation with three canopy types: close, semi–close and open. Total elevation range of the species was 1900– 2500 m. The mean density of D. bholua was maximum in the highest elevation band (2300–2500 m) that received less disturbance. A density was obtained minimum in the lowest site (1900–2100 m) that received highest disturbance. The semi–close canopy condition with slightly acidic soil with high nutrient and moisture supports higher growth and regeneration of Daphne as compared to open and close canopy. which are negative to either side of close and open canopies. High bark mass was found in higher elevation sites with semi–close canopy, which was followed by open and close canopy. Good representation of lower size classes followed by higher size classes indicated the good natural regeneration. In majority of cases, regeneration was limited with root suckers and coppice outgrowth. The flower production and fruit set were very poor at lowest site. In the study area, bark of Daphne bholua is only harvested for local use and yet to be commercialized. However, D. bholua populations at lower elevation band were affected greatly by grazing and trampling effects and also by developmental activities. The present stock of of D. bholua bark in MPF is in good condition with potential for sustainable harvest and management, which could serve as best income generating resource to the local people. Key words: Madane Protected Forest, Daphne bholua, bark, handmade paper vi Contents RECOMMENDATION ............................................................................................................ i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................... iii ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................................ v ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................. vi CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION .................................................................................... 1 1.1 General Background ........................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Daphne bholua ................................................................................................................. 4 1.3 Rationale .........................................................................................................................