Assessing anthropogenic pressure and threats on Paeonia emodi Wall.ex Royle habitats in Garhwal Himalaya

The Garhwal Himalaya is among the major repositories of immensely valuable wild edible plants and provides food security to the local population.Among the valuable plant species that grow in this region,Paeonia emodi(family Paeoniaceae)is an important wild edible species that found in temperate regions with an altitude range between 1800 and 2800 m.The species is facing a severe threat to its sustainability due to overharvesting,habitat disturbances,and a lack of effort regarding conservation.For the first time,this study investigated anthropogenic pressure,population decline perceptions in the natural habitat,and vulnerability assessment of P.emodi under selected study sites(n=23 villages).A semi structured questionnaire was used to interview approximately 45%of the local inhabitants,including herbal practitioners(Vaidhyas or Dais)of each village.On the basis of demographic characteristics,the perceptions and responses of 464 local people were documented regarding potential causes of deterioration and feasible options for sustainable utilization.Using the weight survey method,we estimated the actual amount of collection based on personal interaction and direct observation.In order to determine the threats status,a rapid vulnerability assessment(RVA)was performed and were used based on the current exploitation and usage.The present study revealed that leaf(100%)was the most frequently harvested part,followed by stem(95.65%),seed(26.09%),root(21.74%)and flower(13.04%).The village Triyuginarayan and Pothivasa recorded the highest collection scores while the purpose of the collection was mostly edible(100%),medicinal(100%),and least commercial(8.70%).According to the literature review and the present survey,the RVA(total=21)is categorized as category II(intermediate side of the RVA index),indicating a degree of vulnerability.The study revealed that P.emodi faces extinction in the Garhwal Himalayas.Growing this species through agro-production techniques may alleviate the pressure on the existing population as a result of the availability of raw materials for commercial and household uses.These findings will provide an effective framework for conservation and management decisions and plans.

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.

Regeneration dynamics of dominant tree species along an altitudinal gradient in moist temperate valley slopes of the Garhwal Himalaya

The present study was undertaken in moist temperate forest of Mandal-Chopta area in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India. The aim of the present study was to understand the regeneration dynamics of the dominant tree species along an altitudinal gradient in naturally regen- erating, restricted access forest. The overall regeneration status was fairly high in the study area. Most of the native canopy and undercanopy domi- nants had frequent reproduction and expanding populations, which sug- gests the stability of forest structure/composition and further expansion of dominant species. The overall regeneration of trees in the forest had a greater contribution of middle and understurey species. Because of infre- quent rep＇roduction and declining populations of some of the dominant native species viz., Abies pindrow, Alnus nepalensis and Betula alnoides, structural/compositional changes in the future are expected in respective forests dominated by them..4bies pindrow and Taxus baccata need im- mediate attention by forest managers for their survival in the area. Seed- lings were found to be more prone to competition from herb and shrubs than saplings.

Regeneration of tree species in the sub-tropical forest of Alaknanda Valley, Garhwal Himalaya, India

We studied the regeneration of tree species in the sub-tropical forest of Alaknanda Valley in Garhwal Himalaya, India. The overall regeneration status was fairly good in the study area. Seedling density ranged between 520 and 1,240 seedlings per ha while the density of saplings varied between 400 and 800 saplings per ha. Out of eight sites studied, five sites, viz., A1, A2, B1, B2 and C2 contained the highest number of seedlings （280-480 per ha） and saplings ,（200-440 per ha） for Pinus roxburghfi and remaining three sites viz., C1, D1 and D2 represented the highest number of seedlings （240-400 per ha） and saplings （200-240 per ha） for Anogeissus latifolius. The DBH class distribution of the tree species revealed that the highest number of individuals was concentrated in the lower diameter classes while smallest numbers were found in the higher diameter classes. Species such as Acacia catechu, Anogeissus latifolius, Dalbergia sissoo, Engelhardtia spicata, Lannea coromandelica, Mallotus philippensis and Pinus roxburghii have the larg- est number of saplings and seedlings in the lower DBH classes, suggesting that they have good regeneration potential. Other spec es such as Aegle marmelos, Bauhinia variegata, Bombax ceiba, Cassia fistula, Erythrina variegata, Haldinia ：cordifolia, Mangifera indica, Ougeinia oojeinensis, Phyllanthus emblica, Syzygium cumini, Terminalia alata and Toona hexandra have either no or very small number of saplings in the lower DBH classes which indicates that the status of these species implies poor regeneration.

Yield Production and Energy Budget of Traditional Agricultural Crops in Garhwal Himalaya

The yield production and energy budget of agroecosystem was carried out at three different climatic regions, i.e., tropical, sub-tropical, and temperate in Garhwal Himalaya, India. The total human population was the highest （1 140） in tropical region, followed by 464 in temperate region, and 374 in sub-tropical region. Livestock population had also a similar trend with human population in each climatic region, which was 870, 290, and 188 in the tropical, temperate, and sub-tropical regions, respectively, in winter season, the crop production was the highest （2 332 kg hat yr-l） for Triticum aestivum in tropical region followed by 1 716 kg ha^-1 yr^-1 in sub-tropical region, and 1 473 kg ha^-1 yr^-1 in temperate region. The associated crops were Itordeurn vulgate, Brassica caml ＇stris, and Pisum sativa. However, in summer season, the most contributing crop was Oryza sativa, which had also the highest production in tropical region followed by sub-tropical region, and temperate region, i.e., 1 160, 1096, and 1 076 kg ha^-1 yr^-1, respectively. Other growing crops were Elusine coracana, Vigna mugo, Glycine soja, and Echnochlolafrumentaceae. Brassiea rugosa was the only crop grown in tropical region between the period of winter and summer season. The total root production of crops in each climatic region was the highest in tropical region （1 846.2 kg ha^-1 yr^-1）, followed by temperate region （1 841.5 kg ha^-1 yr^-1） and sub-tropical region （1442.5 kg ha^-1 yr^-1）. However, shoot components of crops were 20 241.5, 17 847.0, and 1 188.3 kg ha^-1 yr^-1, which recorded parallel to root in each climatic region. The root and shoot components of weed decreased with increasing altitudes, which were 105.39 and 1150.5 kg ha^-1 yr^-1 in tropical region, 94.55 and 1147.5 kg ha^-1 yr^-1 in sub-tropical region, and 73.33 and 871.5 kg ha^-1 yr^-1 in temperate region for root and shoot, respectively. In the energy inputs, the most contribution was of compost in each climatic region. Among the region, the highest input of compost was in temperate region followed by sub-tropical, and the lowest in temperate region. The fertilizer input was only recorded from tropical region because of its close connection with market and easy accessibility to the farmer compared to subropical and temperate regions. The energy input ranged from 0.39×10^5 to 0.44× 10^5 MJ ha^-1 （human labour）, 0.84× 10^5 to 1.09× 10^5 MJ ha^-1 （bullock labour）, 0.36×10^5 to 0.45×10^5 MJ ha^-1 （seed）, 16.65 × 10^5 to 32.65 ×10^5 MJ ha^-1 （compost）, while output ranged from 8.44 × 10^5 to 11.01 × 10^5 MJ ha^-1 （agronomic yield）, and 14.22× 10^5 to 19.35 ×10^5 MJ ha^-1 （crop-residue）. The total input was the highest in temperate region, followed by subtropical and tropical region, and the highest output was in tropical region and the lowest in sub-tropical region.

Specific gravity of some woody species in the Srinagar Valley of the Garhwal Himalayas, India

In this study, we investigated the specific gravity of wood samples collected from a total of 31 woody spe- cies, consisting of 20 trees, 10 shrubs and one species of bamboo from sub-tropical regions of Garhwal Himalayas, In- dia. Results show that among these woody species, the specific gravity of trees ranged from 0.34 for Erythrina suberosa to 0.83 for Albizia procera. For shrub species the specific gravity of Ricinus communis was 0.39 and that of Dodonaea viscosa 0.93. The average specific gravity of trees was 0.58 and of shrubs 0.66.

State and Development:Changes in Livelihood Strategies in Garhwal with Special Reference to Ecotourism in the Gangotri Region

The object of the paper is to provide an insight into the changes in livelihood strategies of the people in the Garhwal Himalayas over time. From sustaining an economy based on transit trade and subsistence agriculture, there has been a shift towards tourism in recent times. This shift has been due to the tradition of pilgrimage to the higher reaches and also due to promotion by the state by developing infrastructure and providing incentives. The paper is divided into four parts. In the first part, the policies of the colonial state and the events leading to the destruction of forests and the impoverishment of the self-sustaining semi-pastoral economy in the Garhwal Himalayas are outlined. It is argued that the destruction of forests and subsequently, the economy of the Himalayas were directly responsible for the large-scale migration to the plains. This also led to further exploitation of forests by the people who were unfamiliar with any other form of livelihood. The paper also discusses the policies of the newly independent Indian state and sees them as an extension of the British policy of large-scale exploitation of Himalayan forests for the purpose of development and economic growth. In the third section, the growth of ecotourism as a direct outcome of the process of deforestation and as resulting fostered monopolies of groups external to the region thereby contributing neither to the income or the development in the area. In addition, there is an added threat to the environment–deforestation, and erosion–a direct outcome of increased and unplanned tourism. Such problems demand state intervention and management of tourism. The conclusion to the paper asserts that in order that the requirements of the society to progress and to sustain itself in its natural habitat are not compromised, it is essential to increase the process of democratization by strengthening local structures and by vesting the community with the autonomy to determine its future. The paper therefore argues that ecotourism in the Himalayas undertaken without local involvement is not desirable. The constant need for local monitoring of external agencies or even of the State’s participation and the need for re-evaluation of environmental standards are cumbersome details that add to the costs of promoting low-impact tourism. To be viable, ecotourism should be community based and the needs of the community, their ideas of conservation should be given prime importance and local community must be encouraged to review the standards governing conservation. Local structures should thus receive patronage and promotion, so that ecotourism becomes a dynamic facet of economic development.

Collecting Ophiocordyceps sinensis:an emerging livelihood strategy in the Garhwal,Indian Himalaya

In the Garhwal of Uttarakhand, India, the Bhotiya, an ethnically and culturally distinct tribal group, were historically engaged in seasonal migration(i.e. transhumance) to take advantage of scarce mountain resources and trade relations with Tibet. This livelihood practice has all but disappeared.Households are adapting to these changing circumstances by engaging in the collection and sale of the valuable alpine medicinal fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis, widely known as Cordyceps. The collection of this fungus has exploded, emerging as a lucrative yet high-risk livelihood strategy for many Bhotiya communities.The Bhotiyas' historic herding and trade-based interactions and knowledge of these alpine environments where Cordyceps are found uniquely positions them to access this valuable biological resource. Elsewhere in the Himalayan region, some households are earning as much as two-thirds of their income from the collection of Cordyceps; in China Cordyceps is now listed as an endangered species due to intense over-exploitation in the Tibetan Plateau.This paper seeks to fill the void in the scientific literature on the social, ecological and economic aspects of the emerging Cordyceps trade in the Garhwal. Our study investigates the socio-spatial dimensions of Cordyceps collection in the high alpine meadows. We document how a fusion of local knowledge and practice with alpine mountain systems has served to reinvigorate the economic integrity of mountain communities at a time of rapid socioeconomic change and to reimagine a new relationship between alpine resources and community well-being.The article offers suggestions to address the sustainability of both Cordyceps collection and livelihood activities which hinge on this fungus population. We find a need for(1) community-based conservation measures that are rooted in(2) secure resource access rights for local communities to continue sustainable collection and sale of Cordyceps and(3) participatory-and science-based processes for determining appropriate local collection numbers.

基于社区的气候变化适应方法与高海拔Garhwal喜马拉雅山脉Bhagirathi地区的生计安全

位于Garhwal喜马拉雅山的Bhagirathi(HA-BV)谷地是一个生态和文化重要性极高的地区,但当地居民的生计容易受到气候变化的影响。基于社区的气候变化适应方法(CB-CCA)已成为一种增强地方社区的经济和社会福祉重要策略,并提高了社区发展的韧性。本文旨在研究HA-BV地区的CB-CCA和生计保障计划,关注应对气候变化所面临挑战的策略。研究认为优先考虑适应该地区崎岖的地形和恶劣的天气条件的可持续生计选择至关重要。例如,与山谷独特的土壤和气候动态相适应,推广温室种植和农林复合种植等替代农业,可能会带来较好的结果;此外,鼓励养蜂、手工艺和生态旅游等替代生计途径不仅可以创收,还能保护该地区的自然环境。为了鼓励当地居民实施这些环境友好的生计措施,政府和利益相关者需要进行战略性投资,基础设施的完善(包括道路建设和电力供应)可为经济增长创造良好的条件。研究结果可为喜马拉雅山地区的可持续发展做出贡献,为类似情境下未来构建气候韧性和保障生计的努力提供参考。

Composition and diversity of five major forest types in moist temperate climate of the western Himalayas

The present study was undertaken in five major forest types （dominated by Quercus semecarpifolia, Quercusfloribunda, Acer acuminatum, Abiespindrow and Aesculus indica, respectively） between 2400 and 2850 m a.s.1, in a moist temperate forest of the Mandal-Chopta area in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India. The aim was to assess the variation in composition and diversity in different vegetation layers, i.e., herb, shrub and tree, among these five forest types. Diversity indices, such as the Shannon-Wiener diversity index, density, total basal cover, Simpson＇s concentration of dominance index, Simpson＇s diversity index, Pielou＇s equitability, species richness, species heterogeneity and r-diversity, were calculated to understand community structures. Dominance-diversity curves were drawn to ascertain resource apportionment among various species in different forest types.

Variability in cone and seed characteristics and seed testing in various provenances of Himalayan spruce (Picea smithiana)

Abstract： We investigated the effect of provenance variation on cone and seed morphology and germination behaviunr under different pretreatments in Picea smithiana. Three categories of cones were recognized： large （13.18 cm×3.30 cm-15.42 cm × 4.35 cm）, medium （10.85 cm × 3.93 cm-12.18 cm× 3.98 cm） and small （7.69 cm× 3.06-10.98 cm× 3.39 cm）. Significant variation was observed for various cone and seed characteristics. Seeds moisture content varied from 44.48% to 56.91%, seed size from 0.64 cmx 0.31 cm （largest seed） to 0.49 cm× 0.10 cm （smallest seed）, and the seed weight from 2.45 g per 100 seeds to 1.36 g per 100 seeds on fresh weight basis of P. smithiana. The highest seed germination （72.0±7.53%） at 10℃ was observed under chilling treatment in Tapovan provenance, while the minimum （15.0±5.71%） seed germination was recorded at 25℃ under control set in Tapovan provenance. Further among all the sources Pandukeshwar consistently had the highest average （38%） percent germination across all treatments. Compared to other temperature regimes and pretreatments, seeds subjected to 10℃ and chilling treatment had the highest germination and took the least time for germination irrespective of provenance effects. Altitude （provenance） had little or no relationship with germination following laboratory treatments. Seeds from Tapovan provenance subjected at 10℃ following chilling treatment may be suggested for further multiplication of this species.

Software to Estimate Earthquake Spectral and Source Parameters

A software (EQK_SRC_PARA) has been developed to estimate spectral parameters of earthquake source spectrum, namely: low frequency displacement spectral level (Ω0), corner frequency above which spectrum decays with a rate of 2 (fc), the cut-off frequency above which the spectrum again decays (fmax) and the rate of decay above fmax (N). A Brune’s source model [1,2] that yield a fall-off of 2 beyond corner frequency is considered with high cut-off frequency factor presented by Boore [3] that fits well for frequencies greater than fmax. The software EQK_SRC_PARA is written in MATLAB and uses input data in Sesame ASCII Format (SAF) format. The obtained spectral parameters have been used to estimate source parameters (e.g., seismic moment, source dimension and stress drop etc.) and to develop scaling laws for the study region. The cut-off frequency “fmax” can also be studied and interpreted to confirm about its origin.

Variation in phenol, electrical conductivity, and sugar contents in Grewia oppositifolia Roxb.

We estimated variation in the allocation of metabolites （phenol, sugar, and electrical conductance） in seed, fruit and seedling leachates of 25 populations of Grewia. oppositifolia. Higher quantity of phenolics and higher electrical conductance were observed in plants from lower-middle altitudes but this was not correlated significantly with germination, survival, or plant height. On the other hand, sugar content in fruit pulp leachates was greatest in higher elevational populations and these sources also recorded higher germination, survival, and plant height under nursery conditions. Thus we recommend that germplasm （seed） should be collected from moderately higher elevational sources for nursery as well as future breeding strategies of this potential agroforestry tree crop of the central Himalaya.

Landslide Hazard Zonation Mapping and Comparative Analysis of Hazard Zonation Maps

Landslide hazard zonation mapping at regional level of a large area provides a broad trend of landslide potential zones. A macro level landslide hazard zonation for a small area may provide a better insight into the landslide hazards. The main objective of the present work was to carry out macro landslide hazard zonation mapping on 1:50,000 scale in an area where regional level zonation mapping was conducted earlier. In the previous work the regional landslide hazard zonation maps of Srinagar-Rudraprayag area of Garhwal Himalaya in the state of Uttarakhand were prepared using subjective and objective approaches. In the present work the landslide hazard zonation mapping at macro level was carried out in a small area using a Landslide Hazard Evaluation Factor rating scheme. The hazard zonation map produced by using this technique classifies the area into relative hazard classes in which the high hazard zones well correspond with high frequency of landslides. The results of this map when compared with the regional zonation maps prepared earlier show that application of the present technique identified more details of the hazard zones, which are broadly shown in the earlier zonation maps.

印度加瓦尔喜马拉雅山的亚热带的宽叶榆绿木(Anogeissus latifolia)林恢复状况(英文)

研究了位于印度加瓦尔海平面(950～1100m)上的亚热带森林的再生生长状况。对生长在不同方位(东、西、北、南)研究地的植被进行了定量分析。研究结果表明:宽叶榆绿木(Anogeissus latifolia)的树木、幼树和幼苗层在研究地点的所有方位显生长优势。长叶松(Pinusroxburghii)和毛白杨(Terminalia tomentosa)的树木、小树在研究地点的北部显生长优势。树木层的最高(380株·ha-1)和最低密度(260株·ha-1)分别出现在南坡和北坡。幼树的最高(1790株·ha-1)和最低密度(970株·ha-1)分别出现在东坡和西坡。树木和灌木层的多样性分别为0.846～1.710和1.943-2.847。与其它种的相比较(4%～33%),宽叶榆绿木(Anogeissus latifolia)的相对剪枝强度较高(45%-57%),此种是在北坡中最重要的树种。目前研究表明,如果不合理开采继续进行,宽叶榆绿木(Anogeissus latifolia)就有可能被其他种代替,在树种的成分和森林重建方面会发生剧烈的变化。人类活动的压力,地理方位和土壤营养已引起了树种的成分和森林重建方面的变化。

Impact of forest fire on soil seed bank composition in Himalayan Chir pine forest

了解植物群落火烧后的再生策略对于解释其如何应对喜马拉雅次生林中反复发生的人为森林火灾非常重要。本研究的主要目的是了解:(1)火烧如何影响土壤种子库组成;(2)森林火灾后土壤种子库组成与立地植被的差异有多大。在森林火灾发生后,立即从火烧和相邻的未火烧地点收集土壤样本,并在净室中培养,以便出苗。在季风气候后期/初秋季节,我们再次探访这些地点,以了解森林火灾后恢复的植被的物种组成。研究结果表明,土壤中含有>70种的植物种子。火烧区和未火烧区种子库平均密度分别为8417和14217粒/m^(2),且均随土层深度的增加而减少。整体的火烧对种子密度无显著影响;但是,如果考虑土层因素,火烧只对最上层土壤的种子密度有显著影响。土壤种子库和立地植被的物种丰富度分别为73和100(共有物种数为35),相似性约为40%。而在火烧区和未火烧区发现土壤种子库中>80%的物种相似。另外,火烧区(87)和未火烧区(78)立地植被的物种丰富度没有显著差异。本研究表明,火烧对土壤种子库组成和种子恢复潜力的影响不显著。下层草本植物和灌木植物群落有能力形成一个抗火烧的、有活力的土壤种子库,并有能力在火灾后的雨季恢复,这些发现也解释了它们是如何在维持其种群的同时减少了重复火灾带来损害的风险。