Stand Structure and Species Composition of Community Forests under Livelihood Transition in Two Villages in the Inle Lake Region, Myanmar

This study observed the stand structure and species composition of community-managed forests in two villages in the Inle lake region, Shan State of Myanmar. Atotal of 44 circular plots were established to sample trees ≥ 5cm diameter (DBH) (1.38 ha). Fifty-one species in thirty families are recorded. Dipterocarpus tuberculatus, Shorea siamensis, Quercus brandisana, Melanorrhoea usitata, and Xylia xylocarpa were the most important species in these community forests and accounted for about 73.17% of all recorded stems ≥ 5cm DBH. The site had a long history of fuelwood collection for local and regional needs until 2010. The presences of coppice and pollard trees are indicative of past disturbance activities. However, those forests are recovering after the demand for forest resources decreased, the breakdown of the fuelwood market, and applying specific village rules for harvesting. Dependency on the community forest resource was reduced after the electrification of the area, a marked shift to tourism-related livelihoods, and stabilized transportation access to the agricultural market. It can be concluded that livelihood transitions facilitated less dependency on forest resources and supported community forest regeneration.