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Impact of anthropogenic interferences on species composition, regeneration and stand quality in moist temperate forests of Central Himalaya

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Abstract

Mountain forest ecosystems are vital for maintaining nature’s contribution to people and human well-being. Over the last few decades’ threat to biodiversity due to human induced degradation have had a major impact on moist temperate mixed broad leaved forests of Central Himalaya. Study was carried out and compared to understand the forest structure and regeneration in a protected forest (Alnus nepalensis stand), community forest (Lyonia-Rhododendron stand) and reserve forest (Quercus floribunda stand) in Upper Kedarnath valley of Uttarakhand. A total of 34 species of trees, 28 shrub species, and 45 species of herbs were reported from these forest stands. Total tree density was higher at Q. floribunda stand and lower in A. nepalensis stand. Total tree basal area varied from 59.12 (in A. nepalensis) to 101.28 m2 ha−1 (Q. floribunda stand). The sapling, seedling, shrubs and herbs density was higher in Lyonia-Rhododendron stand than other two stands. Quercus leucotrichophora, Rhododendron arboreum, Lyonia ovalifolia, Neolitsea pallens were dominant tree species in lower girth classes in Lyonia-Rhododendron stand and A. nepalensis stand whereas, Cinnamomum tamala, Ilex dipyrena in higher girth classes were dominant in Q. floribunda stand. Cumulative Disturbance Index and Ramakrishnan Index of Stand Quality was analyzed to understand the forest stand quality. Our study provides insights to changing regeneration patterns and also stand quality of forest stands in Central Himalaya. The dominance of seral species and pioneers than climatic climax species is indication that forests are struggling from continuous encroachment that might jeopardize flow of ecosystem services from forests. There is vital need to take stock of scattered but vital scientific findings to develop scientific and appropriate planning and management of broad leaved forests in Central Himalaya.

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Acknowledgements

We thank our local inhabitants of Shersi, Triyuginarayan, Sonprayag, Badasu, Tosi and Kongadh villages in upper Kedarnath valley, for allowing us to work in their forests. Authors are thankful to Prof. K.G. Saxena, JNU, Delhi, Prof. K.S. Rao, Delhi University and Dr. Panna Deb, Silchar University for their suggestions. Thanks are also due to Shri. Harsh Prakash Semwal and Mrs. Asha Khanduri for field work support. Dr. Tapajit Bhattacharya, WII, Dehradun and Dr. Man Singh Rana, for their suggestions during data analysis. Financial support for the work from TSBF/GEF/CIAT/UNEP and DST SYSP (No. SP/YO/024/2008) is acknowledged. Knowledge Resource Centre (CSIR-NEERI), Nagpur is acknowledged for checking the manuscript for plagiarism and is acknowledged under the number KRC No.: CSIR-NEERI/KRC/2019/NOV/WTMD/2.

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  1. CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI), Nehru Marg, Nagpur, Maharashtra, 440020, India

    Shalini Dhyani

  2. G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment and Sustainable Development, Garhwal Unit, Srinagar Garhwal, Uttarakhand, 246174, India

    R. K. Maikhuri

  3. Society for Conserving Planet and Life (COPAL), Lower Bhaktiyana, Badrinath Road, Srinagar Garhwal, Uttarakhand, 246174, India

    Deepak Dhyani

  4. Commission on Ecosystem Management, International Union for the Conservation of Nature, 28 Rue Mauverney, 1196, Gland, Switzerland

    Shalini Dhyani

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Dhyani, S., Maikhuri, R.K. & Dhyani, D. Impact of anthropogenic interferences on species composition, regeneration and stand quality in moist temperate forests of Central Himalaya. Trop Ecol 60, 539–551 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42965-020-00054-0

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