Species diversity of plants in Phu Huay Sai forest, Khon Buri district, Nakhon Ratchasima province

Abstract

The study of plant diversity and utilization in Phu Huay Sai forest, Ban Mai subdistrict, Khon Buri district, Nakhon Ratchasima province. Conducted between December 2019 and November 2020 using random sampling. A plot of 3 square meters of 40x40 meter² was applied. The inhabitants of 30 homes in the village of Angon, Hua Bueng, and Subudom were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The results show that there were 49 families 82 genera and 118 species. The most commonly represented family was Fabaceae (17 species). The most important of trees was Xylia xylocarpa (Roxb.) Taub., Grewia eriocarpa Juss. and Dipterocarpus intricatus Dyer. The important value indexes were 56.21, 30.72, and 26.15 respectively. The values of the species diversity index (Shannon’s index, H) of trees and understory were 2.90 and 3.10. The evenness index (E) of trees and understory were 0.53 and 0.42. Seven invasive plants; Tridax procumbens L., Solanum nigrum L., Phyllanthus amarus Schumch. & Thonn., Praxelis clematidea (Hieron. Ex Kuntze) R.M. King & H.Rob., Chromoleana odoratum (L.) R.M. King & H.Rob., Pennisetum polystachyon (L.) Schult. and Physalis angulata L., were found in the forest. The plants were classified into 4 groups according to their usages; herbs (17 species), foods (9 species), constructions (8 species), and fuels (4 species), respectively. This research would be used for information to conserve forests in the future.