Influence of Spacing on Growth of Dhundul (Xylocarpus Granatum) in the Sundarbans of Bangladesh
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International Journal of Research and Innovations in Earth Science Volume 7, Issue 6, ISSN (Online): 2394-1375 Influence of Spacing on Growth of Dhundul (Xylocarpus granatum) in the Sundarbans of Bangladesh Dr. ASM Helal Siddiqui 1*, Sk. Md. Mehedi Hasan 2 and Dr. Md. Masudur Rahman 3 1 Divisional Officer, Mangrove Silviculrure Division, Bangladesh Forest Research Institute, Muzgunni, Khulna, Bangladesh. 2 Field Investigator, Mangrove Silviculrure Division, Bangladesh Forest Research Institute, Muzgunni, Khulna, Bangladesh. 3 Director, Mangrove Silviculrure Division, Bangladesh Forest Research Institute, Muzgunni, Khulna, Bangladesh. Date of publication (dd/mm/yyyy): 28/12/2020 Abstract – Dhundul is one of the most important moderate-sized evergreen threatened mangrove species and play a pivotal role for the conservation of the ecosystem of Sundarbans. Between 2012 and 2017, an experimental plantation with randomize complete block design (RCBD) was conducted to enrich mangrove ecosystems by conserving dhundul at Moderate saline zone-comp nos. 31 of the Sundarbans. The objectives of this study are not only sustainable conservation of dhundul but also to create a better habitat as a source of the plus tree near future. Seedling survival percentage, mean height (h) and Mean Annual Increment (MAI) were observed each year to evaluate the effectiveness of dhundul plantation. The mean height (m), MAI (m) and survival percentage of dhundul differ significantly at different spacing. The highest mean height (m) and survival percentage have been found 2.46 ± 0.19, and 85%, respectively in the spacing 1m x 1m, as well as the highest Mean Annual Increment (MAI) for height 0.364m, were found in the same spacing. The result was highly significant (F = 1.57) at the 5% level for height. There are significant differences in the total mean height (m) among the spacing 2m x 2m, 1.5m x 1.5m and 1m x 1m. On the other hand (CV) at different spacing was 24.25, 20.09 and 21.98 for height. All these findings reflect that the growth performance of dhundul was better in 1m x 1m spacing. Artificial regeneration of dhundul was able to improve degraded residences and to ensure the sustainability of mangroves. So, it is highly recommended to establish long- term scientific research programs by setting up natural reserves of that threatened species and protect the existing mangrove mangrove ecosystem sustainably. Keywords – Biodiversity, Dhundul (Xylocarpus granatum), Mangrove, Spacing, Species, Threatened. I. INTRODUCTION The Sundarbans, the largest contiguous mangrove forest in the world [1, 2] is considered as a site of national and international importance for the conservation of biodiversity [3, 4]. The Sundarbans covers an area of approximately 10,000 km2 and lies in the territory of Bangladesh and India [1]. The Sundarbans of Bangladesh lies between the latitude 21030 and 22030 N and between the longitudes 89000' and 89055 E [5]. This forest has enormous ecological and economic importance at local, national and global scales [3]. The Sundarbans plays an important role in the economy of the southwestern region of Bangladesh as well as in the national economy [6]. Most notable services of Sundarbans are acts as barriers against winds and storm surges [7], serves as coastal defense and reduces coastal flooding and coastal erosion provide livelihoods of coastal people as well as contributing to the local and national economy [8] The Sundarbans is a natural mangrove forest consisting of 245 genera and 334 species of trees, herbs, shrubs, bryophytes, and pteridophytes [9, 10] listed 66 plant species from the Sundarbans. Sundarbans also provides natural protection to life and properties of the coastal population in the cyclone prone Bangladesh [6]. Mangroves are uniquely adapted coastal plants of great ecological and Copyright © 2020 IJRIES, All right reserved 76 International Journal of Research and Innovations in Earth Science Volume 7, Issue 6, ISSN (Online): 2394-1375 economic significance, but their habitat continued to disappear globally at a rate of 0.66% per year during the 2000–2005 periods [11]. This habitat loss has put at least 40% of the animal species that are restricted to mangrove habitat at an elevated risk of extinction under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) categories and criteria [12]. The results published in PLoS ONE reveal that 11 of the 70 mangrove species in the world (16%) are at an elevated threat of extinction [13]. Economically, Mangroves are considered as a supplier of natural products such as charcoal, wild honey, timber, food and medicinal element [14]. Nearly 50% of the biome has been lost since the 1950s because of inadequate habitat protection, and large-scale habitat alteration. If the current rate of mangrove loss continues, the whole mangrove biome will disappear in the next 100 years [15]. There are only 70 mangrove species worldwide, compared to between 40,000 and 53,000 tropical forest tree species [16]. Already 16% of mangrove species are critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable and 10% are near-threatened [13]. More than 40% of the mangrove-endemic vertebrates are now also at risk of extinction due to habitat loss [12]. It was designated a Ramsar site under the Ramsar Convention in 1992 [17]. UNESCO declared the Sundarbans a World Heritage Site in 1997, because of its ‘Outstanding Universal Value’, biological diversity and the ecosystem services the area provides [17]. Dhundul is one of the most important mangrove species out of 66 species. Xylocarpus granatum J. Konig (Meliaceae), locally known as ‘Dhundul’ in Bangladesh is a moderate-sized evergreen tree with their gray bark [18]. The plant is well distributed among some continents like Australia, South-East Asia, and East Africa [19, 20]. Dhundul has been used traditionally to treat diarrhea, cholera and fever, as an astringent and emollient [21, 22]. The barks of this plant are used for tanning and in the preparation of an amber dye. The aqueous extracts of different parts of this plant are also reported to have significant antifilarial activity [23, 24]. The wood of Xylocarpus granatum is hard and durable and can be used for house building, boat-building, construction works and furniture making, however, the trees are twisted and often hollow so large pieces of timber may not be available. The wood is also used for handles and other small items and it can be used as fuel wood but burns quickly [25]. Dhundul is under threat from coastal development and harvesting, and another threat is global warming and the consequent rise in sea levels. The dried fruit peel is used as an appetizer [26]. The astringent bark has some medicinal uses. It is reported to cure dysentery, diarrhea and other abdominal troubles, and is also used as a febrifuge [25]. Bark is used for strengthening rope that needs to be used in the water [25]. The wood is very hard, moderately heavy, strong and durable, it is rarely, if ever, attacked by beetles, but is not resistant to termites [25]. The wood shrinks little and is usually easy to work and finish; it takes a high polish [27]. It is used for making small objects such as pins, tool handles etc, and house posts [28]. It is threatened by the loss of mangrove habitat throughout its range primarily due to extraction and coastal development and there has been an estimated 21% decline in mangrove area within this species range since 1980 [29]. As a result, the dhundul species is not found everywhere in the Sundarbans. Only found in very small quantities at Katka (compt. no. 06), Andarmanik (compt. no. 37, 41) and Alki (compt. no. 38) areas of the Sundarbans. If tree trafficking continues like this, the dhundul trees will be abolished from the Sundarbans within very short period of time. Mangrove Silviculture Division of Bangladesh Forest Research Institute, Khulna is trying to conserve this species. At present, experimental plantation is ongoing of moderate saline zone at Dhangmari (compt. no. 31) areas of the Sundarbans for the conservation of dhundul species. So, the objectives of this study are to not only sustainable conservation of dhundul species but also to create a better habitat as a source of the plus tree near future through identifying better spacing pattern which affects growth of Copyright © 2020 IJRIES, All right reserved 77 International Journal of Research and Innovations in Earth Science Volume 7, Issue 6, ISSN (Online): 2394-1375 this species. Thus it is very important to conserve for the development of sustainable biodiversity and management of ecosystem in the Sundarbans mangrove forest of Bangladesh. Fig. 1. Nursery and plantation area of dhundul in the moderate saline zone of the Sundarbans of Bangladesh. II. MATERIALS AND METHODS Site Characteristics and Ecological Zonation of the Sundarbans: Climatic conditions of the Sundarbans is humid with annual rainfall of about 200-2100 mm. Highest temperature in the Sundarbans occur in April and May up to 400c and lowest temperature is 120c in December and January. The mean annual rainfall is about 1700 mm in most of the Sundarbans area. Maximum and minimum average relative humidity (RH) in the Sundarbans is 100% and 23% respectively. The soils of the Sundarbans are alluvial in nature, no distinct profile and hydromorphic with varying degree of gluing in the sub- soil horizon [30]. In general soil fertility decreases from east to west and from north to south [31]. The soil of the Sundarbans is slightly saline, silty clay loam and sub-soil consists of alternate layers of clay and sand, and it is uniform throughout the forests. The mean organic matter content in the top soil is 0.62% and pH range is 5.0- 8.0 throughout the Sundarbans. Seed Collection, Nursery Raising and Maintenance of Nursery: The experiment was conducted during the year of 2012 to 2017 to enrich mangrove ecosystems through the establishment and conservation of dhundul.