Phytosociological Analysis in a Part of Western Himalayan Ecoregion Using Satellite Remote Sensing (original) (raw)
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The present study deals with the phytosociological analysis, anthropogenic impacts and regeneration status of tree species in five dominant forest types along an altitudinal gradient in Paddar valley of Northwest Himalaya. The tree density varied between 179 to 245 trees/ha whereas the total basal area varied between 24.7 and 37.7 m²/ha in five forest types. The value of Shannon-Weiner index (H') was found maximum for western mixed coniferous forest (1.75) whereas Concentration of dominance (Cd) and Evenness (J') were found maximum for dry temperate deciduous forest (0.41) and dry deodar forest (0.32) respectively. The maximum disturbance was found in the dry temperate deciduous forests due to heavy dependence of the locals on oak, Quercus baloot for fuelwood and fodder. The results pertaining to regeneration status of 18 tree species shows 4 species with good regeneration, 6 species with fair regeneration and 5 species with poor regeneration status whereas 3 tree species were found to have no regeneration at all. The regeneration was good for mixed coniferous forest and birch fir forests, poor for broadleaved and coniferous forest and fair for dry temperate deciduous forest and dry deodar forests.
Lower Himalayan conifers forests are the most diverse ecological locations on the globe. Six ecological parameters were investigated to study structural diversity in Ayubia national park, 210 stands at six different locations were selected and Quadrates method was used for sampling of vegetation. The size of the quadrates was 10×2m for tree, 5×2m for shrubs and 0.5×0.5 for herbs. There were six plants communities Picea-Vibernum-Plantago, Pinus-Rubus-Polygonum, Cedrus-Skimmia-Valeriana, Pinus-Rubus-Gerenium, Abies-Vibernum-Plantago and Cedrus-Vibernum-Trifolium were identified on the basis of an importance value index which ranges from 05.13 to 17.86. The average value of species richness was 0.846667; Simpson's and Shannon–Wiener's diversity values were 9.385 and the degree of maturity index was 65.37833, the unpalatable species dominated the local flora, indicating the heavy grazing pressure in the area. Development and implementation of regional conservation strategies are recommended to protect the threatened lower Himalayan biodiversity. Degree of aggregation in forests of Ayubia national park was recorded in relation to environmental variable and underlying anthropogenic influence. Aggregated species were dominant in the area with 51.85 value followed by the intermediate species with share of 33.33 and aggregate species with 13.58 share. Similarly regeneration capacity of the forest shows that Pinus wallichiana, Cedrus deodara, Abies pindrow and Picea smithiana were the regenerating species in the investigated area. The remaining Quercus dilatata, Cornus macrophylla, Taxus wallichiana, Prunus padus and Aesculus indica were not regenerating due to deforestation and overgrazing. These species are in endangered condition.
Ecological Indicators, 2019
is part of the western Himalaya and rich in phytodiversity, but until now little was known about its plant diversity on larger spatial scale and vegetation composition through multivariate statistical tools. To fill this research gap, the whole district was ecologically explored for the collection of field data from August 2014 to July 2016. For vegetation studies, a total of 16 altitudinal transects comprising 110 sampling stations (samples) with 990 plots were studied by using a stratified random vegetation sampling method. Different multivariate statistical tools including Monte Carlo permutation test, Indicator species analysis, hierarchical clustering, ordination, variation partitioning and multi-response permutation procedures tests were used for the first time for the study area to elucidate the number of significant vegetation groups, ranking and placement of plant species in these groups, classification of vegetation units, detection of important gradients, importance of groups of environmental variables and pairwise compositional differences of the species groups respectively. The results showed that all the recorded 343 plant species belong to seven significant plant associations which were further placed into 5 major forest types. Out of the total 19 variables studied, CCA detected the significant contribution of the majority (simple effects: 12; unique effects: 8) of them. The latter (unique effects) in descending order included altitude, forest cover, deforestation, community maturity, forest density, latitude, slope aspect, and longitudinal variations. Similarly, variation partitioning results depicted that topography was the leading driver affecting vegetation distribution, followed by the biotic and edaphic factors. The forest edges, especially the sub-alpine ecosystem, were most diverse, supported higher tree density and also faced maximum deforestation pressure. Furthermore, rangelands in the temperate to alpine zones were affected by heavy overgrazing. Due to the disrupted local ecosystem functioning, the study area needs proper management and conservations plans to save its biodiversity wealth in this part of western Himalaya.
Forest ecosystem provide valuable services and livelihood support to the rural mountain communities of the Himalayas. Present research was conducted to assess the forest ecosystem services and vegetation structure of Neelum valley in Kashmir, Pakistan. A total of 56 plants species belonging to 32 familes were recorded from the studied forest stands. The dominant species were Pinus wallichiana, Abies pindrow, Cedrus deodara, Vibrunum grandiflorum, Indigofera haterantha, and Agrostris gigantica. The recorded value of species diversity was found to be 2.35; richness as 1.61; species evenness as 0.75; and maturity index as 49.34%. Thirty two plants speices were reported having ethnomedicinal usage. Fourty two percent respondents were using wild vegetables whereas 23% were involved in mushroom collection. Population showed an average family size of 8.80; herd size of 5.26; land holding as 1.59 acres; and grazing area of 0.302 acre/grazing unit. Annual fuel wood consumption of 3.11 kg/ capita/ day was recorded. Forest stands showed an average tree density of 344/ha. An average stem/stump value of 2.01 indicated high tree felling intensity. Regeneration pattern was represented with an average of 85 seedlings/ha. A continuous grazing pressure along with moderate erosion effects was observed. Vegetation structure showed significant disturbance due to deforestation, overgrazing, trampling and environmental changes. Conservation policy should be applied at local and regional levels by authorities for conservation and maintenance of forest services.
The present study deals with phytosociological analysis of woody vegetation (tree layer and shrub layer) of different forest types occurring in Kumaun Himalaya, Uttarakhand. A total 12 forest types were mapped using multiseason satellite data of IRS-P6, AWiFS sensor. Sampling was carried out in all the forest types to characterize the structure of forests in terms of abundance, density and dominance at different sites. The field data from different sites was pooled across site for different forest types and was arranged in girth classes. Among all the tree species maximum IVI was recorded for Pinus roxburghii and minimum IVI was observed for Dalbergia sissoo. Maximum density was recorded for temperate conifer forest and minimum density exhibited by degraded sal forest. Maximum total tree basal cover was observed for temperate conifer forest. However, minimum basal area was recorded for degraded low altitude oak forest. Different forest types were also evaluated for the similarity in species composition.
The present study deals with impacts of fragmentation in vulnerable sub-tropical forest ecosystems of Jammu Siwaliks. The landscape analysis was performed with the objective to estimate and analyze the areas subjected to landscape dynamics by computing landscape indices using remote sensing and GIS techniques. The remotely sensed data derived vegetation map was used as input to fragmentation analysis. The classified map was evaluated for classification accuracy based on 750 field derived points laid separately for northern dry mixed deciduous (370), Himalayan sub-tropical scrub (280) and Himalayan sub-tropical pine forest (100) for quantitative sampling. The landscape parameters viz., fragmentation, porosity, patchiness, interspersion and juxtaposition have been evaluated for disturbance regime viz-a-viz biodiversity assessment and to evolve the conservation strategies thereof. The forest cover accounted for about 36% of the total area, whereas 33% of landmass was recorded fallow barren. It was observed that biodiversity levels are different in various fragments and with the changing fragments and patch size there is change in species richness and diversity. The spatial information generated thereof serves a vital input for effective forest management and in developing viable conservation strategies.
Quantification and Diminution of Quercus semecarpifolia Forests Ecosystem Services in Himalayan Region-An Overview, 2021
The genus Quercus comprises very important tree species of the Himalayan forests. Oaks are crucial for a multitude of ecosystem services and livelihood support services reaped by the locals in the Himalayan region. Quercus semecarpifolia is the oldest and dominating species of the Himalayan region. It is considered a lifeline for people of this region due to the wider range of ecosystem and livelihood services provided by it. But this species forest is depleting very rapidly in his region due to over dependency. Major cause of overexploitation is lopping for fodder and fuelwood. The present study attempted to Quantify, recognize, and group the ecosystem services provided by Q. semecarpifolia. Further, certain factors responsible for regular shrinkage of Q. semecarpifolia forests were also addressed. Highlights m Ecosystem services of Quercus semecarpifolia forests were quantified and recognized. m Quercus semecarpifolia forests in certain Himalayan Region are overexploited and threatened mainly due to anthropogenic disturbances. m Quantification, valuation, and prioritization of Forests Ecosystem services derived from the other ecosystems of Himalaya is still in its commencement.
Objective: To report the patterns of species diversity, and regenerating capacity in the forest of Nikyal valley in relation to environmental variables and underlying anthropogenic influence. Methods: A study area was selected in a traditionally managed mountain woody pasture during July 2012 to June 2013. The area was sampled by quadrat method. The quadrats were laid down at regular intervals of 150 m. The size of quadrats was kept 10伊10, 5伊5 and 1伊1 m 2 for trees, shrubs and herbs respectively. Density, frequency and cover were recorded. Importance value index of each plant species was calculated and plant communities were named after the plant species having the highest IV. Then diversity, its components and regenerating capacity were calculated with their formulas. Results: Shannon's diversity ranged from 2.75 to 3.31, Simpson's diversity, 0.90 to 0.95; Menhinick's diversity, 0.83 to 1.19; evenness, 0.41 to 0.65; species richness, 4.89 to 6.08 and maturity index, 30 to 44 species distribution pattern. Diversity values were similar to the other Himalayan forests. Pinus roxburghaii was the only regenerating species whereas the remaining four tree species including Qurecus dilatata regenerate up to 100 cm; they are at extreme risk of elimination due to anthropogenic factors. Conclusions: Nikyal valley is under severe deforestation pressure for fuel and timber value. There is an urgent need to promote the ethics among the people that improvement and conservation of natural resources are critical for land and soil management.