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Natural Regeneration of Indigenous Tree Seedlings Under Broussonetia Papyrifera Stand

Broussonetia papyrifera is an exotic invasive tree species in Ghana with some documented evidences on their impact on the forest ecosystem. It proliferation could be detrimental to undergrowth diversity of indigenous tree species. The study sought to evaluate the eﬀect of Broussonetia papyrifera on regeneration of indigenous tree seedlings in Bia Tano Forest Reserve of Ghana. Ten sub plots were laid within two separate main plots of 100 m x 20 m in both Broussonetia papyrifera and natural forest stand. The study identiﬁed nine indigenous tree seedlings within the Broussonetia papyrifera stand whilst thirteen (13) indigenous tree seedlings were identiﬁed under the natural forest stand. The Broussonetia stand had a Shannon’s diversity index of 1.87 compared with the natural stand of 1.84. The eﬀective number of species were 6.50 and 6.20 for Broussonetia papyrifera and natural stand respectively. No signiﬁcant diﬀerence was observed in Shannon’s diversity index Shannon evenness and eﬀective number of species. Species richness was however signiﬁcantly diﬀerent with Natural forest having the highest value of 13. Celtis milbraedii, Cola gigantean, Triplochiton scleroxylon, Antiaris toxicaria, Nesorgodonia papyverifera and Blighia sapida were higher in Broussonetia papyrifera stand than the natural forest. The notion that Broussonetia papyrifera suppresses the emergence of indigenous tree species could not be ascertained. However, it was clear that the closer of canopy under Broussonetia papyriferasuppresses shade intolerant and favours shade loving species. Canopy closure could be key in suppressing tree species rather than Broussonetia papyrifera.