Does scientific forest management promote plant species diversity and regeneration in Sal (Shorea robusta) forest? A case study from Lumbini collaborative forest, Rupandehi, Nepal

Scientific forest management, specifically the Irregular Shelterwood System, significantly increases Sal (Shorea robusta) regeneration while reducing plant species diversity and evenness in Lumbini's collaborative forests. The study, conducted over managed and unmanaged blocks, found higher seedling density of S. robusta in managed areas but noted a decline in overall biodiversity metrics, such as richness and dominance indices, compared to unmanaged stands. These findings suggest that while this management approach may enhance the regeneration of the dominant species, it could negatively impact ecological diversity. The research recommends continued implementation for degraded Sal forests but calls for further long-term studies to assess its broader ecological impacts.

Awasthi, N., Bhandari, S. K., & Khanal, Y. (2015). Does scientific forest management promote plant species diversity and regeneration in Sal (Shorea robusta) forest? A case study from Lumbini collaborative forest, Rupandehi, Nepal. Banko Janakari, 25(1), 20–29. https://doi.org/10.3126/banko.v25i1.13468