• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.75-83
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• 2012

An explanatory survey was conducted to assess preference and consumption pattern of horticultural species, their sources, location-wise planting preferences and diversity of these species in the rural homestead forest of the offshore island of Bangladesh. Assessment was done through multistage random sampling. Based on homestead size respondents were categorized into small (<0.05 ha), medium (0.05-0.25 ha) and large (>0.25 ha) and twenty from each category were selected randomly for the study. The study revealed that most of the farmer (75.5%) preferred to plant fruit tree species for future plantation followed by timber species (62.2%). But fruit-bearing plants were being gradually replaced by some exotic timber species such as Swietenia mahagoni, Acacia auriculiformis, Tectona grandis, Eucalyptus spp., etc. Diversity and abundance of fruit species was found higher in almost all homestead. A total of 41 horticultural species were identified and seven horticultural species among them were recognized as the most preferred ones in the study area. Consumption pattern was chiefly to meet the nutritional demand and to gain a quick monetary benefit. Average annual income from horticultural species was 7,183.33 Taka (US$102).

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2010

This paper analyzes data on the plant species diversity and their contribution to the livelihoods of rural people in five villages of Domar upazila, Nilphamari district, Bangladesh. Assessment was done by means of multistage random sampling. Information collected from a total of 40 households ranging from small, medium and large categories. A total of 52 plant species belonging to 34 families were identified as being important to local livelihoods. Fruits (37%), timber (23%) and medicinal (17%) species were the most important plant use categories. Determination of the relative density of the different species revealed that Areca catechu constitutes 19.17% of homestead vegetation of the area followed by Artocarpus heterophyllus, which occupies 10.34%. Margalef index showed that there is no major difference (5.11 for large, 5.49 for medium, 4.73 for small) across the different size classes and Shannon-Weiner Index of the study area varies from 2.75 to 2.98. Results show that the average annual homestead income varied from US$108.69 to US$291.67 and contribute 6.63% of the household income.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 2009

Agroforestry combines agriculture and forestry technologies to create more integrated, diverse, productive, profitable, healthy and sustainable land-use systems. This study was performed in three union of Chhagalnaiya Upazila (Sub-district; administrative entity) under Feni district, Southern Bangladesh with a view to identify the tree resources, utilization pattern and economic return of major fruit and timber tree species. Information collected from a total of 45 households ranging from marginal, small, medium and large categories. Number of plant species increased with the increase of homestead area. A total of 39 plant species were recorded from the homegarden, of which 23 were fruit and 16 were timber tree species. Considerable number of vegetables was also planted under the shade of the homestead trees. The investment analysis showed that average benefit-cost ratios were greater than one, net present values were positive and internal rate of returns were more than 10%. Long term investment on horticulture and timber tree species is highly profitable if species like Swietenia mahagoni and Tectona grandis, Spondias pinnata, Syzygium cumini and Areca catechu were planted.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.101-109
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• 2009

The Hajong are the ancient tribal forest community among the ethnic minorities of the North-East region of Bangladesh. The study was carried out with respect to three income groups highlighting their indigenous knowledge. A total of forty-five households (fifteen from each income groups) were assessed using different participatory appraisals through semi-structured questionnaires. A special type of indigenous knowledge on food habit was explored in the Hajong community, which correspond to the severe dependence on forest resources. They collect their food resources from homestead forest (45%) followed by forest (40%), market and others. They have indigenous hunting procedure to trap the animal in the forest. Twenty three tree species were tremendously planted in their homestead forests which are the very important source of food. Male are highly responsible to collect the food materials from forest as well as other sources.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.293-300
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• 2014

An explanatory survey was conducted to assess the contribution of palm species in carbon sequestration in the homegarden of the Sylhet Metropolitan City Corporation of Bangladesh. Assessment was done by means of two stage random sampling. A total of 10 housing area were selected randomly for the study and 4 common palm tree species were found abundantly. From the observations abundance of palm trees [Areca catechu (175/housing area), Cocos nucifera (145/housing area), Borassus flabellifer (124/housing area) and Phoenix sylvestris (27/housing area)] were found higher in all homesteads in comparison with other species. Study revealed that total organic carbon (MTOC mt/ha) was highest in Cocos nucifera (12.48 mt/ha), followed by Areca catechu (4.20 mt/ha), Borassus flabellifer (3.02 mt/ha) and Phoenix sylvestris (0.59 mt/ha). Total amount of organic carbon stored by palm trees in homestead areas was found 20.28 metric ton/ hector in the study area. Study revealed that palm trees of homestead forest accumulate a good amount of biomass and is a good sinker of organic carbon from the atmosphere. Proper management of palm trees will help to improve the local, national and international community through carbon sequestration.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.84-96
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• 2012

A special type of indigenous knowledge on plants utilization and farming system was explored by the Garo tribe community in the North-East region of Bangladesh, which correspond to the severe dependence on homestead forest. Results show that the Garo are totally dependent on the natural resources and that the extent of their dependency is faithfully reflected in their ethno-botanical knowledge. Dependencies that the study addressed focused on various aspects of food, fruit, energy, timber and health care on plants products. Garo tribe community in Bangladesh followed agrosilvipastoral system in their homesteads. They have indigenous hunting procedure to trap the animal in the forest. A total of 9 foods, 15 fruits, 12 energy-producing and 11 timber species was found and recorded that the Garo used in their daily life. Moreover, Garo used 23 medicinal plants species and have vast indigenous knowledge about using herbal medicine in daily health care practices. The Garo women do mostly the household activities, managing homestead forest and helping agricultural field where men perform all hard working activities like ploughing, cutting trees, digging the soil, preparation of horticultural and agricultural land, hunting, etc. The overall quality of life of the Garo could be considerably upgraded if ethno-botanical issues and their own indigenous knowledge will complement with scientific knowledge. The findings of the study conclude that the conservation of the indigenous knowledge of the Garo tribe related to plants utilization can also be turned to good account in forest conservation and is an important tool in this tribal area of Bangladesh.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.63 no.4
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• pp.253-259
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• 2019

5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide (AICAR), a structural analog of adenosine monophosphate (AMP), promotes oxidative remodeling in muscle cells. AICAR activates AMP-dependent protein kinase (AMPK), thus increasing lipid metabolism, respiration, and mitochondrial counts. This process is called oxidative remodeling, which enhances the physical endurance of mice. To test this drug on an invertebrate that is genetically similar to humans, we used the small water crustacean Daphnia magna, which is sensitive to changes in water conditions. We tested the effects of pH on the efficacy of AICAR using two methods. One method measured oxygen consumption of Daphnia in oxygen chambers. The other method determined lipid levels of Daphnia through fluorescent tagging of lipids. The results showed that when exposed to AICAR at pH 6.58, D. magna consumed more oxygen and had lower overall levels of lipids, which is consistent with the expected effects of AICAR, such as increased respiration and lipid metabolism.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.84 no.4
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• pp.525-535
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• 1995

The western-style industrial forest management practice involving large scale clearcutting, silviculture with industrially desirable species, and inadequate consideration on ecosystem preservation, has faced severe criticisms from environmentalists, ecologists and conservationists. With an increasing concern about environmental degradation the general public has also been becoming vocal in demanding ecologically sound alternative forest management. An age-old practice of sustainable ecosystem management variously defined as community forestry, social forestry or homestead forestry, has received increased attention in recent days. This type of traditional, and often not very organized method of natural resource management has been practised in many countries from the prehistoric times. It is believed that with a clear understanding of the functioning of ecosystem and community needs, the existing landuse method can be developed into a more productive one. The nature of community forestry management will vary depending on the scale, geographical location, social/community structure and expectations. This article argues that although the rate of economic growth may be lower with community forestry than with industrial forestry, the former fosters the principle of ecosystem sustainability. Industrial forestry may have an initial high growth rate but often it is associated with unsustainable harvesting leading to ecosystem degradation. A review of the traditional methods of economic analyses shows that they do not take into account the many social and environmental costs associated with forestry. It is argued that a well managed community forestry can maintain the critical balance between economic and ecosystem sustainability. An integrated model of community/homestead forestry development is proposed by coordinating the extension services of the departments of agriculture, forestry and environment.

• Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.65-75
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• 2015

The purposes of carrying out this research were the efficient formation and management of the house gardens of the farming villages in the future by stereotyping the house gardens of the farming villages and the garden spaces and the facilities through the analysis of the present situation of the farm villages and the suggestion of the basic materials for the improvement of the farming village environments. As a result, there were the limitations that this research had been limited to the garden spaces of the farm village houses, without considering all the environments of the farm villages. It was thought that, if, based on these results, the researches for drawing the item of the concrete creation of the gardens and the management are proceeded with through the in-depth analysis in the vein of the relationship between the farm village homestead gardens and the villages in the future, this will prove helpful in practically formulating and putting into practice the policies for supplying the farm village gardens for the farm villages.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.94 no.5 s.162
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• pp.342-348
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• 2005

An exploratory survey was performed to assess the present status of distribution and production of coconut palm (Cocos nucifera Linn.) in the rural landscape of Meghna floodplain of Bangladesh. A multistage simple random sampling technique was adopted to identify the study area and respondents. A total of 50 households were selected randomly for the study. Traditional knowledge on cultivation, management, and production of coconut palm was emphasized. Marketing of coconut palm products and income derived from coconut palm cultivation was taken into consideration. Perceptions of farmers, traders and professionals were described in due context of opportunities and constraints of coconut palm cultivation. Coconut palm cultivation was found to play an important role in household economy in rural Bangladesh sharing considerable contribution to the total income. About 10% of their total annual income was reported to come from coconut husbandry. Highest number of the coconut palms, 24%, was found to grow in the homestead compounds and in the pond banks. About one-third lands of the households were found to be covered by the coconut palms. Maximum, 19%, coconut palms were found in the 16-20 years age-class. Production of coconut was found highest at the age-class 11-15 years. The study found some important opportunities and constraints of coconut farming in rural Meghna floodplain area of Bangladesh. The results of this study would be useful for the rural development practitioners in Bangladesh.