Growing Stock Variations in Different <I>Cedrus deodara</I> forests of Garhwal Himalaya

Abstract

The population structure and growing stock variations under various diameter classes were recorded in five distinct natural forests of Cedrus deodara of Garhwal Himalaya. In all, 25 sample plots (five on each site) of 0.1 ha were laid out randomly to observe the variations in the structure of growing stock under different sets of environmental conditions. The results have manifested that the highest total growing stock value (761.70±58.73 m³/ha) among all the diameter classes was recorded in Dewarkhal area (site No.3, at the highest altitude, 2300m amsl) in Uttarkashi District, where highest total basal cover (TBC) (60.5424±4.6362 m²/ha) and minimum density (313±23.44 trees/ha) of C. deodara individuals, along with highest potassium content (372.27±6.15 kg/ha) in the soil were present. On the other hand the lowest total growing stock value (298.54±99.65 m³/ha) was observed in Devidhar area (site No.4, at the lowest altitude, 1900m amsl) in Rudraprayag District, where the lowest TBC (34.2763±9.9157 m^l/ha) and the highest density (438:t43.08 trees/ha) of C. deodara with lowest values of moisture contents (17.57±1.20%) in the soil were recorded.