TITLE:
Assessment of Tree Diversity and Abundance in Rashad Natural Reserved Forest, South Kordofan, Sudan
AUTHORS:
Khalid A E Eisawi, Hong He, Tayyab Shaheen, Emad H. E. Yasin
KEYWORDS:
Assessment, Tree Species Diversity, Rashad Natural Reserved Forest, Relative Density, Relative Dominance, Importance Value Index
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Forestry,
Vol.11 No.1,
January
29,
2021
ABSTRACT: This study aims to estimate the tree diversity status of Rashad Forest
Reserves in the Rashad locality of the South Kordofan State of Sudan. For data
collection, eight sample plots (20 × 20 m) were taken randomly, and
parameters were determined: trees species
diversity, composition, relative density, dominance, important value index, and
species richness in the Rashad forest reserve. The results show that a total of
237 and 56 tree species, including 22 families, have been identified in the
study area. Fabaceae family and species numbers have the highest number of 13
species in 8 genera, followed by Combretaceae with 8 species belonging to 3
different genera, Malvaceae with 5 species belonging to 4 different genera,
Apocynaceae with 3 species belonging to 3 different genera. The Arecaceae,
Burseraceae, Capparaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Meliaceae, and Rubiaceae families each
had two species, and all the other 11 families had one species each. Among the
56 different tree species found within the reserve. The results also indicated
that Tamarindus indica L. and Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Desf. had the highest relative density and dominance of 4.64% and 11%
respectively. Adansonia digitata L., Grewia villosa Willd, Vepris nobilis (Delile) Mziray had density and
dominance of 4.80% and 9%. Followed by Anogeissus leiocarpa (DC.) Guill. & Perr, Adansonia
digitata L., Catunaregam nilotica (Stapf) Tirveng. (Syn: Xeromphis nilotica (Stapf) Keay, Vangueria madagascariensis J. F. Gmel. with 3.38% and 8%,
respectively. Eleven species recorded the least relative dominance of
0.42%. Shannon-Weiner diversity index (H’) value stood at 3.82. And as
diversity indices varied with location depending on the species available
within an ecological zone, Rashad forest
reserve is blessed with a moderate diversity index.