Current Science

Munesh Kumar ¹, Rahul Kumar ¹, Bobbymoore Konsam ¹, Mehraj A. Sheikh ¹, Rajiv Pandey ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Forestry, HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar-Garhwal 249 161, IN
2 Department of Informatics, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun 248 003, IN

Abstract

Chir pine (Pinus roxburghii Sargent) stands were selected across their distributional range from Himalaya, i.e. from lower altitude to upper altitude to understand distribution of chir tree density, basal cover and biomass with altitudes. Tree density was highest >1800 m (405 ind ha^–1) and lowest (171.67 ind ha^–1) between 1401 and 1800 m. Tree height was highest (23.69 m) between 1001 and 1400 m and lowest (17.71 m) >1800 m. Basal area was highest (30.51 m² ha^–1) between 1001 and 1400 m and lowest (17.16 m² ha^–1) between 1401 and 1800 m. The highest volume was observed between 1001 and 1400 m altitude and lowest between 1401 and 1800 m. Bole biomass was highest (145.51 t ha^–1) between 1001 and 1400 m and lowest (80.78 t ha^–1) between 1401 and 1800 m. The mean leaf litter biomass production was highest in summer and showed decreasing trend in winter to rainy seasons, except in Rudraprayag where the highest biomass was observed in summer and regressed from rainy to winter seasons. The study concluded that, the density, height, basal area and volume of Pinus roxburgii trees varied with altitude in the Himalaya, but it is not directional. Density of trees plays an important role which changes biomass accordingly. Litter production had inverse relation with altitude, however increase in biomass of litter at >1801 m was observed due to new plantations.

Keywords

Carbon, Conifers, Greenhouse Gas, Pure Forest, REDD⁺.

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Sourav Ranjan Mohapatra ¹, Neha Singh Panwar ¹, Rahul Kumar ¹, Ashok Kumar ¹

Affiliations
1 Division of Genetics and Tree Improvement, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun 248 006, IN

Abstract

No Abstract.

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S. P. Singh ¹, A. Bhattacharyya ², Amit Mittal ³, Aseesh Pandey ⁴, Ashish Tewari ³, Avantika Latwal ⁵, Bency David ², Bhupendra S. Adhikari ⁶, Devendra Kumar ⁴, G. C. S. Negi ¹, Ishfaq Ahmad Mir ⁷, Krishna Kumar Tamta ³, Kumar Sambhav ⁵, Mayank Shekhar ², Mohit Phulara ⁵, Munisa Manzoor ⁷, Nandan Singh ³, Pankaj Tewari ¹, Parminder S. Ranhotra ², Pradeep Singh ⁵, Pratap Dhaila ¹, Priyanka Sah ⁵, Rahul Kumar ⁶, Rajesh Joshi ⁵, Ranbeer S. Rawal ⁵, Renu Rawal ⁵, Ripu Daman Singh ¹, Shruti Shah ³, Subrat Sharma ⁵, Subzar Ahmad Nanda ⁷, Surabhi Gumber ¹, Utsa Singh ¹, Zafar Reshi ⁷

Affiliations
1 Central Himalayan Environment Association, 6 Waldorf Compound, Mallital, Nainital 263 001, IN
2 Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, 53, University Road, Lucknow 226 007, IN
3 Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, D.S.B. Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital 263 001, IN
4 G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment and Sustainable Development, Sikkim Regional Centre, Pangthang, Gangtok 737 101, IN
5 G. B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment and Sustainable Development (GBPNIHESD), Kosi-Katramal, Almora 263 643, IN
6 Department of Habitat Ecology, Wildlife Institute of India, P.O. Box 18, Chandrabani, Dehradun 248 001, IN
7 Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar 190 006, IN

Abstract

This article enumerates the findings of a team research on the Indian Himalayan timberline ecotone, with focus on three sites (located in Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Sikkim). Timberline elevation increased from west to east, was higher in the warmer south aspect than the cooler north aspect, and was generally depressed. Betula, Abies, Rhododendron and Juniperus were important treeline genera. The Himalaya has not only the highest treelines (Juniperus tibetica, at 4900 m), but also the widest elevational range (>1700 m). Remotely sensed data revealed that the timberline is a long, twisting and turning ecotone, traversing a length of 8–10 km per km horizontal distance. Surface temperature lapse rate in the monsoonal regions was lower (–0.53°C/100 m elevation) than generally perceived and varied considerably with season, being the lowest in December. The Himalayan treeline species are not water-stressed at least in monsoonal regions, predawn tree water potential seldom getting below –1 MPa. The upward advance of Rhododendron campanulatum (a krummholz species) may deplete alpine meadows with climatic warming. Tree-ring chronology indicated that winter warming may be favouring Abies spectabilis. Early snowmelt increased growth period and species richness. Treelines generally are stable in spite of decades of warming. Dependence of people on timberline was still high; so economic interventions are required to reduce the same.

Keywords

Climate Change, Temperature Lapse Rate, Timberline Ecotone And Elevation, Tree Water Relation, Treeline Genera.

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