Ashish Tewari

Carbon storage capacity of high altitude Quercus semecarpifolia, forests of Central Himalayan region

Abstract Quercus semecarpifolia, Smith. (brown oak) forests dominate the high altitudes of central Himalaya between 2400 and 2750 m and the timber line areas. The species is viviparous with short seed viability and coincides its germination with monsoon rains in July–August. These forests have large reserves of carbon in their biomass (above and below ground parts) and soil. We monitored the carbon stock and carbon sequestration rates of this oak on two sites subjected to varying level of disturbance between 2004 and 2009. These forests had carbon ranging between 210.26 and 258.02 t ha−1 in their biomass in 2009 and mean carbon sequestration rates between 3.7 and 4.8 t ha−1 yr−1. The litter production in both the sites ranged from 5.63 to 7.25 t ha−1 yr−1. The leaf litter decomposition of species took more than 720 days for approximately 90% decomposition. Even at 1 m soil depth soil organic carbon was close to 1.0%.

Human Influence on Banj Oak (Quercus leucotrichophora, A. Camus) Forests of Central Himalaya

The present study suggests that the impact of human-induced small-scale disturbances (lopping of branches and leaf litter removal) adversely impacts the functioning of banj oak (Quercus leucotrichophora, A. Camus) forests of Central Himalaya. Significantly higher (p < .001) biomass stocks, carbon sequestration rates, soil carbon, leaf area index (LAI), litter fall, and faster litter decomposition rates were observed in least human influenced (LHI) forests as compared to moderately human influenced (MHI) forests and highly human influenced (HHI) forests. Three replicate forest stands of each category were selected for the observation. The study is used as a background to suggest alternative strategies to conserve the forests, taking into account the social and economic concerns of the village community.

Local level community forest management an effective tool in conserving forest biodiversity

Forest vegetation of a community managed forest (Van Panchayat) located between 1570–1700 m elevation was studied along four aspects. Quercus leucotrichophora was the dominant species on three of the four aspects. Across the aspects the total tree density ranged between 150 and 490 ind/ha, sapling density between 100 and 370 ind/ha, seedling density varied from 241 to 1090 ind/ha. The shrub density ranged from 166 to 690 ind/ha and herb density from 6000–17100 ind/ha. The total basal area of tree layer varied from 9.78 to 13.5 m2/ha showing that the forest is young. Species diversity value for tree layer varied from 0.14 to 1.69. Quercus leucotrichophora were regenerating well due to effective forest management by local communities. The higher proportion of seedlings of Quercus leucotrichophora indicating that the Van Panchayat are playing important role in conservation of oak forest of Himalaya.

Irregularity in frequency of mast seed years in Quercus floribunda a late successional species of Central Himalaya

The mid altitudinal oak, Quercus floribunda forms predominantly evergreen forest in Central Himalaya between 2000–2400 m. It is late successional, mature phase species that has limited regeneration on disturbance prone sites. This oak produces mast seed crops at an interval of 2–3 years. During masting in Q. floribunda the seed fall and germination is upto ten times greater than in normal years, emphasizing the importance of mast year crop in forest maintenance. However, no mast year in this species since the last nine years (1997–2005) is a matter of serious concern. The rise in the summer and winter temperature over a period of 15 years appear to have affected the frequency of masting in this oak. The importance of masting can be adjudged from the fact that 97% of the surviving seedlings m−2 are of the mast year crop.

Carbon sequestration in Chir-Pine (Pinus roxburghii Sarg.) forests under various disturbance levels in Kumaun Central Himalaya

We studied variations in tree biomass and carbon sequestration rates of Chir Pine (Pinus roxburghii. Sarg.) forest in three categories of forest disturbance, protected, moderately disturbed, and highly disturbed. In the first year, total biomass was 14.7 t·ha−1 in highly disturbed site, 94.46 t·ha−1 in moderately disturbed forest, and 112.0 t·ha−1 in protected forest. The soil organic carbon in the top 20 cm of soil ranged from 0.63 to 1.2%. The total rate of carbon sequestration was 0.60 (t/ha)·a−1 on the highly disturbed site, 1.03 (t/ha)·a−1 on the moderately disturbed site, and 4.3 (t/ha)·a−1 on the protected site.

Leaf Demography of Some Evergreen and Deciduous Tree and Shrub Species of Kumaun Himalaya, India

Leaf demography was studied in 9 trees (6 Evergreen (ES), 1 Semideciduous (SD) and 2 Deciduous (DS)) and 10 shrubs (7 Evergreen (ES) and 3 Deciduous (DS)) occurring between 350 to 2500 m elevation in the Kumaun Himalaya, India. Although each species had its own pattern about seasonality of leaf recruitment, it was possible to group the species based on leaf expansion behavior. The result shows the leaf expansion rate was greater for deciduous species compared to Evergreen species. The percent leaf area after four weeks of expansion was also greater for deciduous species.

Influence of aspect and location of stands on biodiversity in a Sal mixed broadleaved forest in Kumaun central Himalaya

In the present study total 21 forest stands on different aspects and locations (Hill base, mid slope and ridge top) on the slope were studied to assess the importance of these two parameters in supporting species regeneration and biodiversity in a mixed broadleaved forest between 380 and 850 m elevation in the Kumauau Himalayan region. A total of 36 tree species were recorded in the forest. In all aspects the tree, sapling and shrub richness was higher at hill base stands in comparison to mid slope and ridge top stand. Maximum tree richness (average across all aspects) was 9.7 and shrub richness was 9.3. Higher richness at hill base may be attributed to more soil moisture and deeper soils which accumulate the hill base where the slope steepness declines. The tree richness was higher in the northern aspect whereas southern aspect was more suitable for the shrub species. From the present study it becomes evident that the base of the hills can support higher biodiversity and are instrumental in supporting regeneration of several tree and shrub species in sal mixed broadleaved forest.

Alterations in growth, photosynthetic activity and tissue-water relations of tea clones in response to different soil moisture content

Key messageSignificant effect of water stress conditions were observed on morphological and physiological growth parameters of tea (Camellia sinensis). Water stress tolerant tea clones suitable for hilly areas have been identified in this study.AbstractThe influence of different levels of water deficit on physiological and morphological parameters in tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze] clones was investigated. Tea clones (BSS-449, BSS-379, P-312, UPASI-9, T-383, RR-17, AV-2 and T-78) growing under controlled condition (under shade, potted condition) were subjected to three irrigation treatment, a control (70.0% soil moisture content), moderate water deficit (38.3% soil moisture content) and sever water deficit (6.9% soil moisture content). Plants submitted to severe water deficit showed significant reduced leaf numbers, leaf areas, and plant heights while reduction in plant height and leaf area and leaf numbers was not significant in moderate water deficit. A significant change in chlorophyll content was observed during the water stress condition. Photosynthesis decreased in both water deficit treatments and was related to stomatal factors and photochemical efficiency of photosystem II. Water relation parameters, e.g. leaf water potential, osmotic potential, turgor potential, relative water content and cellular elasticity were also measured to evaluate plant adaptation to water stress. The highest leaf water potential values were found in the control condition, for all the clones. Cell wall rigidity, measured as elastic modulus, increased under severe water stress, resulting in a loss of turgor at lower leaf water potential. Results of the study suggest that the degree of drought tolerance depends on the interactions between the tea clones and the levels of water stress. The available data also indicates that UPASI-9 is capable of tolerating water stress, and should be suitable for dry areas.

Fine root biomass, productivity and turnover in two contrasting aspects in natural Chir Pine (Pinus roxburghii Sarg.) forests of Central Himalaya

Fine roots (≥1 mm) production in Chir Pine (Pinus roxburghii Sarg.) forests was estimated across three different seasons for one year at four sites located between 1600–1850 meters elevation on two contrasting aspects. At each site three different slope positions (ridge slope, mid hill slope and hill base) were selected for the study. The tree density across the study sites ranged between 390 to 1910 tree/ha–1. The fine root biomass and productivity was estimated upto 40 cm soil depth. The total fine root biomass ranged between 3.34 and 3.72 t ha–1 across southern aspect while it ranged between 2.70 and 2.94 t ha–1 across northern aspect. Across the studied forest the NPP ranged between 1.02 and 2.2 t ha–1yr–1 and total turnover ranged between 0.52 and 0.96 yr–1.The fine root biomass declined as the soil depth increased and varied significantly (P < 0.001) across the soil depths and seasons. The fine root net primary production was positively correlated (P < 0.001) with soil organic carbon (t ha–1) and showed an inverse relationship with soil moisture percent and soil bulk density (g/cc).

Traditionally fermented alcoholic beverages of high altitude Bhotiya tribal community in Kumaun Himalaya, India

Bhotiya is a tribal community in the high altitude hills of Uttarakhand state. Bhotiya community is known for its ethnic knowledge globally. The Bhotiya have old age tradition of preparing fermented beverages like Jaan and Kacchi with traditionally prepared starter culture called Balam. These beverages play an important role in the socio-economic and cultural life of Bhotiya tribe of Munsyari region in Johar valley. This paper deals with the detailed account of two important alcoholic beverages prepared and consumed by the Bhotiya tribal community, inhabiting the Munsyari region of Kumaun Himalaya.