Variation in Net Primary Production of East and West Facing Slope Montane Grasslands of Uttarkashi, Garhwal Himalaya

Abstract

Standing crop biomass and net primary productivity of east and west facing slope montane grassland, of Uttarkashi in Garhwal Himalaya have been assessed Belowground net primary production (BNP) was bigher than aboveground net primary production (ANP). Maximum mean litter biomass was observed on east facing slopes. Total net primary production (TNPJ was higher on the upper slope sites than on the lower ones on both the east and west aspects. Upper and lower slopes were dominated by Chrysopogon aciculatus (Retz.) Triol and Digitaria cilltaris (Retz) Koel, respectively. The values of TNP for the present grasslands ranged between 1091 and 1857 gm^-2 Yr^-1 on east facing and between 1095 and 1331 gm^-2 Yr^-1 on west facing slopes Coefficient of Relative Variability in mean aboveground and belowground biomass was maximum for east facing slopes. ANP sbowed more variability than BNP and TNP.