Ecological Impact of Forest Trails in Khadimnagar National Park, Sylhet, Bangladesh

Abstract

A forest trail is a fragmentation structure in the forest which is of great importance when it comes to the management and recreation facilities of the forest. These kinds of transportation networks within the forest influence the balance of the forest ecosystem, which makes it imperative to address the effect of forest trails. In this study, we evaluated the effect of forest trails in Khadimnagar National Park, Sylhet, Bangladesh. Data on trees, tree regeneration, canopy cover, and litter layer depth were recorded on 40 main plots and 80 micro plots, which were laid on transect lines at 20 points, at 5 m and 15 m sampling distances from the trail. The Shannon diversity index of both tree and tree regeneration species, and canopy cover and litter layer depth were calculated. The results indicate that the Shannon index value of tree diversity was higher (p < .05) at a 15 m sampling distance compared a 5 m sampling distance, where the Shannon index value of tree regeneration, canopy cover and litter layer showed no significant values (p > .05). This study concludes that there is an effect of the trail on the tree diversity but not on the regeneration diversity, canopy cover, and litter layer, as it represents the adaption and mitigation capacity of the forest to the effect of the trails throughout time. Investigation on other environmental and vegetational parameters can help to understand the concept of forest trail effects. Additionally, forest managers can use the results of this study to produce an ecologically sound network of trails in forest.