Effects of Disturbance Intensities on Vegetation Patterns in Oak Forests of Kumaun, West Himalaya

In order to realize the significance of oak forests for ecology and economy of the Himalayan region,the present study attempts to objectively characterize disturbance intensities and their impacts on compositional features of identified Oak forests, i.e.Banj-oak（Quercus leucotrichophora A.Camus）, Ti...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of mountain science 2012-04, Vol.9 (2), p.157-165
Main Authors: Rawal, Ranbeer S., Gairola, Sanjay, Dhar, Uppeandra
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biodiversity
demography
disturbance
Earth and Environmental Science
Earth Sciences
Ecology
Economics
Environment
Environmental management
Forests
Geography
Mountains
Quercus leucotrichophora
regeneration
Seedlings
Terrestrial ecosystems
Trees
Vegetation
vegetation patterns
喜马拉雅地区
天然更新
干扰强度
干扰程度
幼苗密度
栎林
森林生态
植被格局
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:In order to realize the significance of oak forests for ecology and economy of the Himalayan region,the present study attempts to objectively characterize disturbance intensities and their impacts on compositional features of identified Oak forests, i.e.Banj-oak（Quercus leucotrichophora A.Camus）, Tilonj-oak（Q.floribunda Lindley）and Kharsu-oak（Q. semecarpifolia J.E.Smith）in west Himalaya. Amongst studied forests,Q.leucotrichophora and Q. semecarpifolia forests exhibited high sensitivity towards disturbance intensities.In both forests, increasing level of disturbance significantly lowered tree density,dominance and natural recruitment （seedling and sapling density）.Q.floribunda forests, however,appeared relatively more resilient to anthropogenic disturbances.Amongst studied oak forests,Q.semecarpifolia forests with overall poor natural regeneration are in a most critically endangered demographic state.However,a slightly improved regeneration（i.e.,seedling density）in moderately disturbed plots is indicative that such plots may be utilized most suitably for in situ revival of these forests.Effect of disturbance intensities on tree population is an important subject for forest ecology and management and the present study highlights a need for adopting different management strategies across disturbance intensities in diverse oak forests of west Himalaya.
ISSN:1672-6316
1993-0321
1008-2786
DOI:10.1007/s11629-012-2029-y