1. Flora Biodiversity Assessment in
Shambayung Community Forest as a PES
Valuation
Samantha Lasher
SFS Bhutan 2014 www.perfectindiantourism.com

2. Research Question
• Does the Shambayung Community Forest have enough
biodiversity to support a Payment for Environmental
Service (PES), specifically ecotourism?

3. Methods
• 20 transects total
• Counted flora species
o Tree (10 x 10 meter)
o Shrub (5 x 5 meter)
o Herb (1 x 1 meter)
• Species richness and species
diversity
• Compared with private and
government reserve forests

4. Trees Tree Count Shrubs Shrub Count Herbs Herb Count
Pinus wallichiana 75 Cirsium falconeri 169 Rubis nepalensis 267
Corylus avellana 41 Arcum sp. 159 Yugula sp. 154
Rosa sericea 122 Fragaria sp. 116
Dominant Species in Shambayung
Results
www.aramcoexpats.com www.ashridgetrees.co.uk
www.blackthumbgardner.com www.asianflora.com

5. 1.07
0.72
0.84
0.48
0.00
0.20
0.40
0.60
0.80
1.00
1.20
Total Trees Shrubs Herbs
Menhinick(Index(D)
Plant Layer
Species Richness in Shambayung CF
3.19
1.35
2.75
1.81
0.00
0.50
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
3.50
Total Trees Shrubs Herbs
ShannonWeinerDiversity
Index(H)
Plant Layer
Species Diversity in Shambayung CF
D = S/(n)^1/2
𝑯 = −𝚺𝒑𝒊 𝒍𝒏𝒑𝒊,

6. 0.00
0.50
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
3.50
Total Trees Shrubs Herbs
Shannon-WeinerDiversityIndex(H)
Plant Layer
Tang Valley Species Diversity Comparison
GRF
CF
PF

7. 0.00
0.20
0.40
0.60
0.80
1.00
1.20
1.40
1.60
1.80
2.00
Total Trees Shrubs Herbs
Menhinick'sIndex(D)
Plant Layer
Tang Valley Species Richness Comparison
GRF
CF
PF

8. Conclusions
• Shambayung CF would be viable for a Payment for Environmental
Service
o H = 3.19 > 2
• Shambayung CF, GF and PF have medium-high biodiversity
• Negative correlation between tree diversity/richness with shrub and
herb diversity/richness
o Blue Pine Encroachment?
• Further research

9. Tashi Delek!
Questions?