Diversity and regeneration status of Sarkot Van Panchyat in Garhwal Himalaya, India

We investigated the floristic composition, phytosociological and regeneration status of Sarkot Van Panchyat （community forest） in Chamoli district of Garhwal Himalaya. A total of 52 plant species of 46 genera and 26 families were recorded, which included 12 trees, 18 shrubs and 22 herb species. Quercus leucotrichophora was dominant tree species in sapling and seedling layers, followed by Lyonia ovalifolia and Rhododendron arboreum. Out of 12 tree species, 7 species in seedling stage and 8 species in sapling stage were recorded in the study area. The 44.41% species in the study area showed good regeneration status, 16.66% species were fairly regenerating, and 8.33% species showed poor regeneration status, while 33% species were not regenerating. Number of individuals from lower girth classes （0--10 cm and 10-30 cm） showed decreasing trend with the increase in size of girth class. Shannon index （H） for trees, shrubs and herbs was recorded as 1.82, 2.24 and 2.41 respectively. Simpsons index （Co） was recorded as 0.21, 0.12 and 0.12 for trees, shrubs and herbs respectively. The forest should be di- vided into compartments for better management purpose and each compartment should be closed for five years to assist regeneration and enrichment planting may also be carried out for sustainable management.

Temporal Variations in Carbon Stock of Pinus roxburghii Sargent Forests of Himachal Pradesh,India

The present study was conducted in Solan Forest Division of Himachal Pradesh covering an area of about 57,158 ha. The aim was to estimate and assess the temporal change in carbon stock of the Chil Working Circle, in two forest ranges of the Division, Solan and Dharampur, over the period of 1956-2011. The inventory data of the working plans of Solan Forest Division from 1956-1957, 1984-1985 and 2002-2003 were used in the present study while field data for biomass estimation was collected for the year 2011.The results showed a declining trend in carbon stock over 1956-1984 period, however, an increasing trend over 1984-2002 was observed, which showed a further increase for the period 2002-2011. These fluctuating trends in the forest carbon stock can be related to increasing anthropogenic pressure on forests and the subsequent introduction of a ban on green felling envisaging efficient forest management, both of which affect the forest carbon pool significantly.

Biomass production and carbon stock inventory of high-altitude dry temperate land use systems in North Western Himalaya

Introduction:Carbon stock estimation in different land use systems is necessary for curbing global climatic crisis.In the present study,high-altitude dry temperate land use systems(LUS)at three altitudinal ranges“A1,1900-2170 m.a.s.l.,A2,2170–2440 m.a.s.l.,and A3,2440–2710 m.a.s.l.”were selected based on lapse rates in Kinnur district of Himachal Pradesh,India.The study was aimed at estimating the difference in biomass and carbon stocks in different land use systems and recommendation of the suitable environment-friendly land use for the region.Six land use systems viz.;agriculture,horticulture,agrihorticulture,agri-horti-silviculture,silvipasture,and barren land common at all the three altitudes were selected for experimental setup.Results:Maximum mean aboveground biomass(84.65 t ha^(−1)),belowground biomass(19.50 t ha^(−1)),and total biomass(104.10 t ha^(−1))were recorded in the silvipasture land use system.Total biomass production of different land use systems followed the order:silvipasture>agri-horti-silviculture>agrihorticulture>horticulture>agriculture>barren land respectively.Maximum soil organic carbon(1.41%)was recorded in silvipasture land use systems,which however remained statistically at par with the organic carbon contents of horticulture.Soil organic carbon,irrespective of the land use system increased with increase in altitudinal range and decreased with increase in soil depth.Maximum carbon density(155.77 t ha−1)in 0–100 cm layer was in agri-horticulture LUS.The order of carbon density under different land use systems was agri-horticulture>agri-horti-silviculture>silvipasture>horticulture>agriculture>barren land.Irrespective of the land use system,the carbon density at different altitudinal gradient followed the trend A1,1900–2170 m.a.s.l.,>A3,2440–2710 m.a.s.l and>A2,2170–2440 m.a.s.l.Conclusions:The outcome of the study can play an important role,while selecting different land use systems and different crop combinations for effective management of carbon budget to mitigate climate change and global warming issues in other fragile Himalayan ecosystems.