Pattern of Diversity and Regeneration Potential along Altitudinal Gradient in Selected Forest Stands of Kumaun Himalaya

Vinod Chandra Joshi; Naveen Chandra

doi:10.36808/if/2020/v146i4/146911

Pattern of Diversity and Regeneration Potential along Altitudinal Gradient in Selected Forest Stands of Kumaun Himalaya

Authors

Vinod Chandra Joshi GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment (NIHE), Kosi-Katarmal, Almora- 263643
Naveen Chandra Uttarakhand Space Application Centre, Dehradun (Uttarakhand)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36808/if/2020/v146i4/146911

Keywords:

Altitudinal Gradients, Biodiversity, Species Composition, Regeneration.

Abstract

Forest diversity is the main source of livelihood of the people living in the Kumaun Himalaya, and vegetation diversity of forest depends on the several climatic, and topographic factors. The aim of the present study is to investigate altitudinal gradient in species composition, diversity, species richness and regeneration potential with special reference to density, frequency, species diversity and concentration of dominance. The study was conducted in selected forest stands of Almora Forest Division in the Kumaun Himalaya, along elevation gradient of 1200-1950m altitude in three altitudinal gradients i.e. hill base (Vishwanath) hill slope (Palna) and hill top (Banari Devi). Pinus roxburghii was the most dominant species in hill base and hill slope while Quercus leucotrichophora was the dominated species in hill top. In different layers, density varied from 472 to 1194 ind/ha (tree layer), 49-560 ind/ha (sapling) and 350-1428 ind/ha (seedlings). The species diversity ranges from 1.26 to 2.99 for trees, 0.89 to 3.03 for sapling and 0.60 to 1.48 for seedlings. The maximum density of trees was recorded in the hill top while it was found minimum in hill base of study sites. The total basal area was found ranges from 27.95-54.87 m²/ha for tree layer and 0.23-0.40 m²/ha for sapling. On the basis of density of seedlings, saplings and trees, the regeneration potential in all three altitude was fair.

References

Ayyappan N. and Parthsarathy N. (1999). Biodiversity inventory of trees in large scale permanent plot of tropical evergreen forest at Varagalaiar, Anamalaris, Western Ghats. India. Biodiversity and Conservation, 8:1533-1554.

Baduni N.P. and Sharma CM. (2001). Population structure and community analysis on different aspects of Sal savanna forest type in outer Garhwal Himalaya. Indian Forester, 127(9):1001-1011.

Criddle R.S., Church J.N., Smith B.N. and Hansen, L.D. (2003). Fundamental causes of the global pattern of species range and richness. Russian Journal of Plant Physiology, 50:192-199.

Curtis J.T. and Mcintosh R.P (1950). The interrelations of certain analytic and synthetic phytosociological characters. Ecology, 31434-455

Gairola S., Rawal R.S. and Totaria N.P. (2008). Forest vegetation pattern along an altitudinal gradient in subalpine zone in west Himalaya, India. African Journal of Plant Science, 2(6):42-48.

Good N.F. and Good R.E. (1972). Population dynamics of three seedlings and saplings in mature eastern hardwood forest. Bull. Torrey Botanical Club, 39:172-178.

Halle F, Oldemann R.A. and Tomlinson PB. (1978). Tropical Tree and Forests. Archil Anal. Springer, Berlin.

Henle K., Davies K.F., Kleyer M., Margules C. and Settele J. (2004). Predictors of species sensitivity to fragmentation. Biodiversity Conservation, 13:207-251.

Huston M.A. (1994). Biological diversity. The coexistence of species on changing landscapes, XIX, 681 p. Cabridge University Press.

Malik Z.A. (2014). Phytosociological behaviour. Anthropogenic disturbance and regeneration status an altitudinal gradient in Kedarnath wildlife sanctuary (KWLS) and its adjoining areas. PhD thesis submitted to HNB Garhwal university Srinagar Garhwal (Uttarakhand).

Malik Z.A. and Bhatt B. (2015). Phytosociological Analysis of Woody Species in Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary and Its Adjoining Areas in Western Himalaya, India. Journal of forest and Environment Science, 31(3): 2288-9744. DOI. 10.7747.JFES.2015.31.3.149

Malik Z.A. and Bhatt B. (2016). Regeneration status of tree species and survival of their seedlings in Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary and its adjoining areas in Western Himalaya, India. Tropical Ecology, 57(4):677-690.

Misra R. (1968). Ecology Workbook. Calcutta, India: Oxford and IBH.

Phillips E.A. (1959). Methods of vegetation study. Henry Hill & Co. Inc., U.S.A.

Ralhan P.K., SaxenaA.K. and Singh J.S. (1982). Analysis of forest vegetation in and around Nainital in Kumaun Himalaya. Proceeding Indian National Science Academy, 48:122-138.

Rawat VS. and Rawat YS. (2010). Van Panchayats as an effective tool in conserving biodiversity at local level. Journal of Environment Protection, 12:279.

Rikhari H.C., Chandra R. and Singh S.P (1989). Pattern of species distribution and community character along a moisture gradient within an oak zone of Kumaun Himalaya. Proceeding Indian National Science Academy, (5):431-438.

Saxena A.K and Singh J.S. (1982). A phytosociological analysis of woody species in forest communities of a part of Kumaun Himalaya. Vegetation, 50:3-22.

Shannon C.E. and Weaver W. (1963). The Mathematical theory of communication. University of Illinois Press, Urbana.

Simpson E.H. (1949). Measurement of diversity. Nature, 163: 6-88.

Singh J.S. and Singh S.P. (1984). An integrated ecological study of eastern Kumaun Himalaya with emphasis on natural resources Kumaun University, Nainital. Final Report (HCS/DST/187/76) vols 1-3.

Singh J.S. and Singh S.P. (1992). Forest of Himalaya: Structure Functioning and impact of man Gynodaya Prakashnan, Nainital.

Todaria N.P, Pokhriyal P., Uniyal P. and Chauhan D.S. (2010). Regeneration status of tree species in forest of Phakot and Pathri Rao watersheds in Garhwal Himalaya. Current Science, 98(2): 171-175.

Tripathi B.S., Rikhari H.C. and Singh R.P. (1987). Dominance and diversity distribution in certain forest of Kumaun Himalayas, IX International Symposium on tropical ecology, 235pp.

Uma Shankar. (2001). Case of high tree diversity in a Sal (Shorea robusta) dominated lowland forest of eastern Himalaya, Floristic composition, regeneration and conservation. Current Science, 81 776-786.

Upreti N., Tewari J.C. and Singh S.P. (1985). The oak forests of the Kumaun Himalaya India composition diversity and regeneration. Mountain Research and Development 5(2): 163-174.

Wangda P. (2003). Forest Zonation along the complex altitudinal gradients in a dry valley of Punatsang-chu, Bhutan. Master's Thesis, The University of Tokyo, Japan, Tokyo.