Financial viability and conservation role of betel leaf based agroforestry： an indigenous hill farming system of Khasia community in Bangladesh

A study was conducted to investigate the cultural and financial management techniques of betel leaf based agroforestry system practiced in or near homegardens of Khasia community in Jaintapur Upazila in the district of Sylhet, Bangladesh. The Khasia is an edu- cated community where 100% of Khasia people were literate, a stunning fact for this ethnic community in Bangladesh. The average family size in the study area was 7.68, with a ration of male and females of 141：100. The homegardens of the Khasia are rich in species composition, which 15 timber species, 22 horticultural species, six medicinal species, 13 annual crops including leafy vegetables, seven species of spices and five species of bamboo were identified along with betel leaf. The Khasia is an economically prosperous community with the minimum family incomes of Tk 4 000 per month （Tk. 70=1 US Dollar）. Betel leaf based agroforestry is very common being a prevalent source of income. About 95.45% of the households are involved in betel leaf husbandry. The mean annual income from one hectare of be- tel leaf plantation was estimated to be Tk. 80979. This practice was proven to be a profitable business where the benefit cost ratio was cal- culated to be 4.47. Moreover, the species composition in the betel leaf plantation area （the forest area once utilized by Khasia for shifting cultivation） was found to be very promising to play the significant role in conservation of biological diversity making the practice a sustainable agroforestry system.

A multi-purpose National Forest Inventory in Bangladesh:design,operationalisation and key results

Background:National forest inventory and forest monitoring systems are more important than ever considering continued global degradation of trees and forests.These systems are especially important in a country like Bangladesh,which is characterised by a large population density,climate change vulnerability and dependence on natural resources.With the aim of supporting the Government’s actions towards sustainable forest management through reliable information,the Bangladesh Forest Inventory(BFI)was designed and implemented through three components:biophysical inventory,socio-economic survey and remote sensing-based land cover mapping.This article documents the approach undertaken by the Forest Department under the Ministry of Environment,Forests and Climate Change to establish the BFI as a multipurpose,efficient,accurate and replicable national forest assessment.The design,operationalization and some key results of the process are presented.Methods:The BFI takes advantage of the latest and most well-accepted technological and methodological approaches.Importantly,it was designed through a collaborative process which drew from the experience and knowledge of multiple national and international entities.Overall,1781 field plots were visited,6400 households were surveyed,and a national land cover map for the year 2015 was produced.Innovative technological enhancements include a semi-automated segmentation approach for developing the wall-to-wall land cover map,an object-based national land characterisation system,consistent estimates between sample-based and mapped land cover areas,use of mobile apps for tree species identification and data collection,and use of differential global positioning system for referencing plot centres.Results:Seven criteria,and multiple associated indicators,were developed for monitoring progress towards sustainable forest management goals,informing management decisions,and national and international reporting needs.A wide range of biophysical and socioeconomic data were collected,and in some cases integrated,for estimating the indicators.Conclusions:The BFI is a new information source tool for helping guide Bangladesh towards a sustainable future.Reliable information on the status of tree and forest resources,as well as land use,empowers evidence-based decision making across multiple stakeholders and at different levels for protecting natural resources.The integrated socioeconomic data collected provides information about the interactions between people and their tree and forest resources,and the valuation of ecosystem services.The BFI is designed to be a permanent assessment of these resources,and future data collection will enable monitoring of trends against the current baseline.However,additional institutional support as well as continuation of collaboration among national partners is crucial for sustaining the BFI process in future.

Financial viability and conservation role of betel leaf based agroforestry:an indigenous hill farming system of Khasia community in Bangladesh

A study was conducted to investigate the cultural and financial management techniques of betel leaf based agroforestry system practiced in or near homegardens of Khasia community in Jaintapur Upazila in the district of Sylhet, Bangladesh.The Khasia is an educated community where 100% of Khasia people were literate, a stunning fact for this ethnic community in Bangladesh.The average family size in the study area was 7.68, with a ration of male and females of 141:100.The homegardens of the Khasia are rich in species composi-tion, which 15 timber species, 22 horticultural species, six medicinal species, 13 annual crops including leafy vegetables, seven species of spices and five species of bamboo were identified along with betel leaf.The Khasia is an economically prosperous community with the minimum family incomes of Tk 4 000 per month(Tk.70=1 US Dollar).Betel leaf based agroforestry is very common being a prevalent source of income.About 95.45% of the households are involved in betel leaf husbandry.The mean annual income from one hectare of betel leaf plantation was estimated to be Tk.80979.This practice was proven to be a profitable business where the benefit cost ratio was calculated to be 4.47.Moreover, the species composition in the betel leaf plantation area(the forest area once utilized by Khasia for shifting cultivation) was found to be very promising to play the significant role in conservation of biological diversity making the practice a sus-tainable agroforestry system.

The effects of teak monoculture on forest soils: a case study in Bangladesh

Teak plantations date back to 1871 in Bangladesh. This study was designed to assess how teak monoculture has impacted the soil properties in Bangladesh. Multiple linear regression and correlation matrices were estimated to evaluate these impacts. The means of soil physicochemical properties were compared across various attributes of the plantations. Older plantations accumulated more organic carbon in the soils than the younger plantations. Excessive removal of litter from the forest floor resulted in reduced levels of N, P, K, and other nutrients in the soils. Since bulk density was continuously decreasing deeper into the soil, the penetration of mineral nutrients into the soil was low. Furthermore, moisture content in the topsoil was significantly lower than that in the bottom layers due to the exposed and dry condition of the forest floor under teak plantations. For improving depleted teak plantation soils, teak could be planted with other tree species rather than just in monocultures. In addition, the forest floor could be enriched with leguminous herbs and shrubs to improve soil health in these plantations.