HUMAN-INDUCED SUCCESSION OF VEGETATION ON NEW ACCRETIONS IN THE COASTAL AREAS OF BANGLADESH

Abstract

Coastal afforestation in Bangladesh was initiated in 1996 with pioneer species Sonneratia apetala and Avicennia officinalis. Tree species, Excoecaria agallocha, Heritiera fomes and Xylocarpus mekongensis; shrub species, Cynometra ramiflora and Lumnitzera racemosa; and palm species, Phoenix paludosa and Nypa fruticans were suitable for second rotation crops. A survival of 90.3% for E. agallocha, 84.7% for H. fomes and 58.3% for X. mekongensis was recorded. Mean annual height increments of these species were 1.03, 0.59 and 0.14 m and diameter increments 0.92, 0.39 and 0.15 cm respectively. Survivals for C. ramiflora, L. racemosa, P. paludosa and N. fruticans were 59.0, 51.3, 84.7 and 97.3% respectively. On relatively raised lands, non-mangrove species, namely Acacia nilotica, Casuarina equisetifolia, Pithecellobium dulce, Samanea saman, Albizia lebbeck and A. procera were promising. After eight years, these species had a survival of 69, 65, 85, 61, 60 and 19% respectively with good height and diameter increments. Thus, a sustainable forest cover in the coastal areas of Bangladesh can be ensured.