Tree and shrub species preferences and planting materials used by sub-religious communities in the village groves of floodplain area of Bangladesh

An exploratory study of the traditional homestead forest of two different religious groups (Hindu and Muslim) in one selected floodplain area of Bangladesh was conducted over a period of six months from January to June 2002. The species' (both tree and shrub) preferences, similarities, use and sources of planting materials, spacing and location of species in the homesteads of both Hindu and Muslim communities were studied. It was found thatMangifera indica as tree species andOcimum sanctum as shrub species were the best preferred species of the Hindu community.Artocarpus heterophyllus as tree species andLawsonia inermis as shrub species were found best preferred by the Muslim community. Floristic similarities between the two groups were found 86.57% in tree species and 78.48% in shrub species. Both seed and seedlings of tree and shrub species as planting materials were used by the highest percentage of both the religious communities. For tree species, homegarden was reported to be the highest source (39%) and for shrub species, nature was the highest source (40%), which was found in the Hindu community. Key words Species preferences - Species similarity - Planting materials - Hindu - Muslim - Homestead forests - Floodplain area - Bangladesh CLC number S72 Document code A Biography: Md. Danesh Miah (1971): male, Assistant Professor in the Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh.Responsible editor: Chai Ruihai

Consumption and species preference for house construction wood in central highlands of Ethiopia–implications for enhancing tree growing

A study was conducted in central Ethiopian highland in 2008 to investigate the consumption of house construction wood, the tree species preference for construction wood and the forthcoming conditions of this forest product and possible strategies for future availability. Twenty-four iron-roofed houses and twenty-eight thatch-roofed houses belonging to thirty-six farm households were investigated for types, volumes and sources of construction wood used. It was found that an average farmhouse with a floor space of 57 m^2 consumed about 13.7 m^3 of wood. Both floor space and wood consumptions vary with house types An average iron-roofed house with floor space of 51.9 m^2 consumed 16.8 m^3 of wood and an average thatch-roofed house with mean floor space of 28.6 m^2 consumed 3.2 m^3 of wood. Family size and floor space were the major factors influencing construction wood consumption. An average living house was composed of woods of 39.3% ,luniperus procera, 5.6% Cupressus lusitanica, 29.2% Eucalyptus globulus and 26% Eucalyptus camaldulensis. The wood volume from the first two species and half that of the third species were obtained from state forest which is currently banned from any construction wood extraction and hence there is a shortage of around 59.5% of woods. We suggest the promotion of various tree planting approaches to increase the wood supply and the use of alternative local materials like soil bricks for house construction.

Community Tree Species Preferences in Zambales, Philippines

Reforestation and reforestation efforts are generally dependent on the species recommended by the government. In the Philippines, most reforestation activities use Gmelina arborea, Acacia mangium, and Swietenia macrophylla due to their usual economic returns. Thus, the use of native species is less favored over exotic species. This paper considered the species preferences of the local community as involved in reforestation activities in Zambales. Assessment of the stakeholders’ preferences was based on a listing of species given by the respondents and community perceived benefits or uses. Familiarity of the respondents with the species presented to them was also considered in the analysis.