A community analysis of sal (Shorea robusta) forests in the western Terai of Nepal

Sal (Shorea robusta) forest is found in an extensive array of conditions in lowland Nepal, and has been heavily used by both government and local people. Thus, we did a study to provide information on sal forests occupying a broad range of historical and environmental influences across anextensiverangeinthewesternTerai ofNepaland explorefactors‐bothenvironmentaland anthropogenic‐that mayberesponsibleforvariation of forest structure. Trees, saplings, seedlings and shrubs were sampled along transects (2 km long) in two protected areas and two proposed community forests. The protected areas had three transects each, and a single transect covered two proposed community forests. Samplings were done every 200 m along the transects, a plotless technique sampled trees (>5 cm dbh). With tree sampling point as the center, shrubs and saplings (1‐5 cm dbh and >1 m height) were sampled in 5 m radius circular plots and herbs and seedlings (