Mehraj A. Sheikh , Munesh Kumar , M. S. Gusain

Abstract

No abstract

Full Text

     

Munesh Kumar , C. M. Sharma , Govind S. Rajwar

Abstract

Two study sites selected on the basis of the disturbance gradient at the elevation from 900 to 1,300 m asl in the sub-tropical zone of District Pauri of the Garhwal Himalayas were studied for the structure and diversity of the forest. Density, total basal cover, importance value index, similarity index, concentration of dominance, diversity index, beta diversity and equitability index were analysed for tree, shrub, sapling and seedling layers of the forests and compared for the both the sites. The forest sites showed differences in analytic characters. The concentration of dominance and the index of diversity were higher for the mildly disturbed forest site.

Full Text

     

Munesh Kumar , Sanjay Kumar , Mehraj A. Sheikh , M. S. Gusain

Abstract

The study was carried out in the transitional zone of Anogeissus latifolia and Pinus roxburghii forests to understand the forest community structure, species niche width and soil characteristics. Three different forest types i.e., Pure Anogeissus latifolia (PAL) and Pure Pinus roxburghii (PPR) and mixed forest of Anogeissus latifolia and Pinus roxburghii (M.AL&PR) were reported in the study area. The soil pH was alkaline (7.26) in PPR forest followed by neutral (7.0) in M.AL&PR forest and acidic (6.76) in PAL forest. Soil organic carbon was 0.52±0.05 % highest in PAL forest followed by M.AL&PR forest (0.50±0.17%) and lowest in PPR (0.41±0.02%) forest. The phosphorus (31.68 kg/ha) and potassium (196 kg/ha) were the highest in M.AL&PR forest followed by PAL (31.58 kg/ha for phosphorus and 167.63 kg/ha for potassium) and PPR (23.09 kg/ha for phosphorus and 153.07 kg/ha for potassium) forests. Among the trees, the highest niche width was reported for Anogeissus latifolia (1.98) followed by Pinus roxburghii (1.96) and in shrub layer the niche width of Carissa opaca (2.45) was quite high compared to other shrubs species. The soil conditions in transition zone favoured the growth of diverse species composition.

Keywords

Species Niche Width, Transitional Zone, Sub-tropical Forest, Anogeissus latifolia, Pinus roxburghii

Full Text

     

Mehraj A. Sheikh , Munesh Kumar , Jahangeer A. Bhat , Nazir A. Pala , V. R. S. Rawat , N. P. Todaria

Abstract

Reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD+) in Non-Annex-I countries is of central importance in efforts to combat climate change, because carbon management in forests will probably be the single most important st agenda of the first half of the 21^st century in the context of the greenhouse effect and mitigation of global climatic changes. In this context we tried to know the position of Carbon stock in India from 1880 onwards by compiling the published literature, besides that the C stocks for the year 2003, 2005 and 2007 were also estimated on the basis of GS data published by Forest Survey of India. Carbon stocks in Indian forests from 1880 showed a marked decrease from 7940 Mt in 1880 to 3426 Mt in 1980 which have reduced to 3325.30 in 2003 to 3161.71 Mt in 2007. The carbon stock in India's forest biomass decreases continuously despite slight increase in forest cover of the country.

Keywords

Carbon Stock, Biomass, Forest Cover, Flux, Carbon Sequestration

Full Text

     

Jahangeer A. Bhat , Munesh Kumar , Ajeet K. Negi , N. P. Todaria

Abstract

The present study was carried out in parts of a protected area of Garhwal Himalaya, namely, Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS). The main aim of the study was to gather and analyze information from the sanctuary dwellers on conservation of natural resources and its value focusing on the needs of local inhabitants. Ninety three respondents of different age groups from two villages, one located within and the other on the fringe of the sanctuary, were considered for analysis. The respondent's opinions varied with regard to different conservation issues and their perception towards conservation and the value of wild animals, plants and wildlife sanctuary. Sixty (60%) percent of the respondents considered Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS) as an effective mechanism in the conservation of flora and fauna while 71% said that local communities contributed much more in conservation efforts prior to declaration of it as a wildlife sanctuary. Fifty seven (57%) percent of respondents think that being a sacred area any kind of disrespect around the vicinity of temple will make deity unhappy and 22% of respondents were of the opinion that the impact as a result of irregularities in climatic conditions can be checked by conserving plant resources. Sixty percent respondents reported damage to agricultural crops by wild animals.

Keywords

Perception, Protected Area, Respondents, Wildlife Sanctuary

Full Text