Assessing the Population Status of a Tree Species Using Distance Sampling: Aquilaria crassna (Thymelaeaceae) in Northern Laos
Lack of reliable and accurate field data affect assessments of population status of tree species, especially tropical taxa with broad distributions. Use of distance sampling techniques may help to overcome the problem. This paper describes a method for estimation of absolute density of a rare tree s...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2012-01-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Forestry Research |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/265831 |
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| author | Anders Jensen Henrik Meilby |
| author_facet | Anders Jensen Henrik Meilby |
| author_sort | Anders Jensen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Lack of reliable and accurate field data affect assessments of population status of tree species, especially tropical taxa with broad distributions. Use of distance sampling techniques may help to overcome the problem. This paper describes a method for estimation of absolute density of a rare tree species with scattered and clumped distribution, using line transect distance sampling. The method was applied to previously harvested populations of Aquilaria crassna Pierre ex H. Lec. (Thymelaeaceae) at four sites in Northern Laos. This species is destructively harvested to yield agarwood, probably the world’s most valuable nontimber forest product and categorised as ”critically endangered“. The average density of felled A. crassna trees at the four sites was 2.2 ha−1, indicating that harvesting has been extensive. However, the estimated densities of living saplings, 10.9 ha−1, small trees (DBH < 10 cm), 10.6 ha−1, and larger trees (DBH ≥ 10 cm), 1.7 ha−1, suggest that populations are not wiped flat. The survey method should stand a good chance of wider use as a tool in management and conservation of a wide range of tree species. Results of the present case study could suggest that the conservation status of A. crassna should be re-categorised. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d876286e4151423e83b128938963d1a7 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1687-9368 1687-9376 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2012-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Forestry Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-d876286e4151423e83b128938963d1a72025-02-03T05:50:33ZengWileyInternational Journal of Forestry Research1687-93681687-93762012-01-01201210.1155/2012/265831265831Assessing the Population Status of a Tree Species Using Distance Sampling: Aquilaria crassna (Thymelaeaceae) in Northern LaosAnders Jensen0Henrik Meilby1Forest & Landscape, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 23, DK-1958 Frederiksberg C, DenmarkForest & Landscape, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 23, DK-1958 Frederiksberg C, DenmarkLack of reliable and accurate field data affect assessments of population status of tree species, especially tropical taxa with broad distributions. Use of distance sampling techniques may help to overcome the problem. This paper describes a method for estimation of absolute density of a rare tree species with scattered and clumped distribution, using line transect distance sampling. The method was applied to previously harvested populations of Aquilaria crassna Pierre ex H. Lec. (Thymelaeaceae) at four sites in Northern Laos. This species is destructively harvested to yield agarwood, probably the world’s most valuable nontimber forest product and categorised as ”critically endangered“. The average density of felled A. crassna trees at the four sites was 2.2 ha−1, indicating that harvesting has been extensive. However, the estimated densities of living saplings, 10.9 ha−1, small trees (DBH < 10 cm), 10.6 ha−1, and larger trees (DBH ≥ 10 cm), 1.7 ha−1, suggest that populations are not wiped flat. The survey method should stand a good chance of wider use as a tool in management and conservation of a wide range of tree species. Results of the present case study could suggest that the conservation status of A. crassna should be re-categorised.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/265831 |
| spellingShingle | Anders Jensen Henrik Meilby Assessing the Population Status of a Tree Species Using Distance Sampling: Aquilaria crassna (Thymelaeaceae) in Northern Laos International Journal of Forestry Research |
| title | Assessing the Population Status of a Tree Species Using Distance Sampling: Aquilaria crassna (Thymelaeaceae) in Northern Laos |
| title_full | Assessing the Population Status of a Tree Species Using Distance Sampling: Aquilaria crassna (Thymelaeaceae) in Northern Laos |
| title_fullStr | Assessing the Population Status of a Tree Species Using Distance Sampling: Aquilaria crassna (Thymelaeaceae) in Northern Laos |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessing the Population Status of a Tree Species Using Distance Sampling: Aquilaria crassna (Thymelaeaceae) in Northern Laos |
| title_short | Assessing the Population Status of a Tree Species Using Distance Sampling: Aquilaria crassna (Thymelaeaceae) in Northern Laos |
| title_sort | assessing the population status of a tree species using distance sampling aquilaria crassna thymelaeaceae in northern laos |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/265831 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT andersjensen assessingthepopulationstatusofatreespeciesusingdistancesamplingaquilariacrassnathymelaeaceaeinnorthernlaos AT henrikmeilby assessingthepopulationstatusofatreespeciesusingdistancesamplingaquilariacrassnathymelaeaceaeinnorthernlaos |