A. K. Negi

Carbon stock estimation for tree species of Sem Mukhem sacred forest in Garhwal Himalaya, India

Carbon stock estimation was conducted in tree species of Sem Mukhem sacred forest in district Tehri of Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India. This forest is dedicated to Nagraj Devta and is dominated by tree species, including Quercus floribunda, Quercus semecarpifolia and Rhododendron arboreum. The highest values of below ground biomass density, total biomass density and total carbon density were (34.81±1.68) Mg·ha−1, (168.26±9.04) Mg·ha−1 and (84.13±4.18) Mg·ha−1 for Pinus wallichiana. Overall values of total biomass density and total carbon density calculated were 1549.704 Mg·ha−1 and 774.77 Mg·ha−1 respectively. Total value of growing stock volume density for all species was 732.56 m3·ha−1 and ranged from (144.97±11.98) m3·ha−1 for Pinus wallichiana to (7.78±1.78) m3·ha−1 for Benthamidia capitata.

Tree Regeneration Status of Sacred and Protected Landscapes in Garhwal Himalaya, India

Global and national recognition of Garhwal Himalaya as sacred and protected land has not spurred conservationists to investigate these sacred and protected forests and recognize their importance at large scales. Little is known about the role of sacred conserved forests in influencing the regeneration of species in Garhwal Himalaya. In the present study we investigated the regeneration status of tree species in five sacred and protected forests of Garhwal Himalaya. Seedling and sapling density was used as an indicator of regeneration status of present species. A total of 47 species of trees were recorded from five sacred and protected forests, among which only 7 species showed either good or fair regeneration in all the five sites, whereas a majority (17 species) showed either poor or no regeneration. The dominant species were Quercus spp., Rhododendron arboreum, Myrica esculenta, and Lyonia ovalifolia. Sapling density ranged from 8.84 to 15.2 saplings/100 m2 and seedling density ranged from 11.36 to 18.74 seedlings/100 m2 in different study sites. Our study showed the regeneration status of lesser (auxiliary) species in the forests was low as compared to dominant ones. Girth class distribution of individuals showed a reverse J-shaped curve for all the species at all the sites.

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 (CD) was recorded as 0.21, 0.12 and 0.12 for trees, shrubs and herbs respectively. The forest should be divided 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.