Manoj Dhaulakhandi , Govind S. Rajwar

Abstract

Quercus leucotrichophora and Q. floribunda were two important tree species of the montane zone of Garhwal Himalaya. Total litter production of Quercus leucotrichophora (site I) forest was estimated as 663.9±56.8 gm^-2 yr^-1 and Q. floribunda (site II) forest as 564.1 ± 27.74 gm^-2 yr^-1. Leaf fall contribution to the total litter fall was 530.0 ± 50.1 on site I and 446.0 ± 25.7 gm^-2 yr^-1 on site II. The litter decomposition rate on both the sites was maximum in August. Total litter decomposition after a period of 13 months on site I was 75.1 and on site II 66.6 %. Decomposition constant (K') values for these species were 0.75 and 0.67 respectively.

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G. S. Rajwar , Manoj Dhaulakhandi , Pramod Kumar

Abstract

The density of seedlings and saplings, a measure of regeneration potential, was studied for ten forest sites with three stands each consisting of three elevational forest types : Quercus leucotrichophora-Pinus roxburghii (I800-2000m), Q. leucotrichophora (2000-220Om) and Q. floribunda (2200-2400m). In these forests the sapling density ranged from 2.64 to 7.73 saplings 25 m^-2 , and seedling density 5.28 to 14.52 seedlings 25 m^-2. On the basis of regeneration potential, Sites I to III were dominated by Q. floribunda, Sites IV to VIII and X by Q. leucotrichophora and Site IX by Pinus roxburghii. Most of the species were contiguously distributed. Only 88% of the tree species were recorded in seedling stage while sapling percentage is further reduced.

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