A report of Siwalik forest around Letang Raja-Rani wetland, Morang, eastern Nepal

Abstract

Species composition, phytosociological status and soil characteristics of Siwalik forest occurring around Raja-Rani wetland, Letang municipality, eastern Nepal was studied.  A total of 47 tree species belonging to 40 genera and 26 families were reported. Dominant and co-dominant trees were Shorea robusta (IVI=133.4) and Schima wallichii (IVI=70.6), respectively. In the forest total tree density, basal cover area, seedling density, fallen dead density and dead standing density were 378.4 trees ha^-1, 163.7 m² ha^-1, 105250 individual ha^-1, 4 trees ha^-1 and 1.6 trees ha^-1, respectively. Irregular girth class distribution and high stump density (136.8 tree ha^-1) denote disturbance. Soil physicochemical characteristics were: acidic soil (pH 4.8), moisture (12.5%), water holding capacity (50.05%), bulk density (1.17 g cm^-3), porosity (0.55%), humus (8.6%), organic carbon (0.52%), nitrogen (0.1%), phosphorus (33 kg ha^-1), and potassium (300 kg ha^-1). Regulating human encroachment to ensure natural regeneration of species to maintain the viability of the Letang Raja-Rani wetland site and integrity of the local ecosystem is strongly recommended.