The present study is the outcome of vegetation sampling conducted in the managed and unmanaged forest patch under the irregular shelterwood system to analyze community structure and plant diversity in a degraded mixed forest in eastern Terai, Nepal. Systematic random sampling was followed by laying out 15 quadrates sized 4m2 with uniform spacing of 50 meters in both managed and unmanaged blocks, respectively. This study revealed that the first and second-year regeneration felling subsisted the Shorea robusta in the managed forest patch. There was observed a remarkable increase in regeneration but a decrease in plant diversity in the managed area in comparison to the unmanaged one. Simpson’s index of diversity was 0.760 and 0.890 and Shannon-Wiener indexes were 1.82 and 2.43 in managed and unmanaged forest blocks, respectively. Independent sample t-test showed a significant difference in the total number of regenerations between managed and unmanaged forest blocks since P-value <0.05 (P=0.0166) i.e., managed blocks with opened canopy had higher regeneration but a lower diversity. This study concludes that the irregular shelterwood system is deemed pivotal for increased regeneration of Shorea robusta particularly in the eastern lowland of Nepal.

This paper explores the status of Invasive Alien Plant Species in an urban forest of Hetauda, Nepal. The study is based on a quadrate survey (130 quadrants) within the transect line at an interval of 30 m within different six habitat types. This study identified a total of 22 invasive alien plant species representing 20 genera and 12 families out of recorded 26 species representing 24 genera and 15 families in the country. This study identified four species namely Chromolaena odorata, Eichhornia crassipes, Lantana camara and Mikania micrantha in the study area that were listed as the world’s 100 worst invasive species. The invasion was found to be negatively correlated with canopy cover. The higher the canopy cover; the lower the abundance of invasive alien species. Regarding the habitat type, settlement area had the highest number of invasive species followed by forest and roadside. Mikania micrantha, Lantana camara, Ageratum houstonianum and Chromolaena odorata were mostly abundant in forest whereas Eichhornia crassipes was highly abundant in wetlands. Mikania micrantha was mostly abundant in settlement area and Senna tora was confined to open land. The relative abundance of Ageratum conyzoides, Senna occidentalis, Ageratum adenophora, Leersia hexandra, Mimosa pudica, Bidens pilosa, Oxalis latifolia, Ipomoea carnea, Amaranthus spinosus, Argemone mexicana, Esosphaerum suaveolens were lower.

This study was carried out in Chillikot village of Dang district to find out the economic contribution of Cinnamomum glaucescens to local economy and to document the major conservation threats for this species. Household survey (n=29), key informants interviews (n=5) and focus group discussions (n=3) were carried out to collect the data. This study reveals that about NPR 1.7 million (US$ 16,5002) have been contributed annually to local economy by 29 households from NTFPs including C. glaucescens berries collection business. Average annual income for each household was around US$ 569.19 from the species that contributes about 53% of the total annual household income. Value chain analysis showed that six different value chain actors were found involved in C. glaucescens business with maximum profit margin to wholesaler (US$ 1.66 kg-1) and minimum to village traders ( US$ 0.07 kg-1). Open access to the resource and poor functional linkage among the actors were identified as major limitations in the value chain of the products. Handing over the national forest as a community forest, linking the producers with processor through organized market channel has been recommended for future.