G.S. Rajwar

Altitudinal Variation in Species Composition and Soil Properties of Banj Oak and Chir Pine Dominated Forests

The study was carried out in two different forest types viz., Banj oak and Chir pine forests to assess the variation in forest species composition and soil properties along altitudinal gradients in the Garhwal Himalayas. The results of the study showed that between the forests soil moisture was higher in Banj oak forest because of closed canopy and dense forest compared to Chir pine forest. The sand particles were reported higher in Banj oak forest which might be due to the addition of organic matter favouring coarse structure of soil, helping in holding maximum water in soils. However in the Chir pine forest low amount of soil organic matter and presence of clayey soil, develops soil compactness which reduces the penetration of water resulting in high soil bulk density. The higher accumulation of litter and presence of moisture in Banj oak forest favours higher nutrient level of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compared to Chir pine forest. The soil organic carbon also reduced with increasing altitude at both gradients. While bulk density has reverse trend with soil organic carbon in both the forests at different peaks of same region. In Banj oak forest, the highest density and total basal cover was reported 1,100 tree ha -1 and 58.86 m 2 ha -1 respectively. However, the highest values of density and total basal cover of Chir pine forest was 560 tree ha -1 and 56.94 m 2 ha -1 respectively. The total density and basal cover of both the forests reduced with increasing altitude. The study concludes that Banj oak forest has better nutrient cycling ability, well developed forest floor and has a greater protective and productive features compared to the Chir pine forest which is without lower vegetation cover and having only pine litter accumulation which does not allow any other species to grow.

Change in Community Composition and Soil Carbon Stock Along Transitional Boundary in a Sub-Tropical Forest of Garhwal Himalaya

The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of transitional boundary on community composition and soil carbon stock. Five vegetation types were recognized horizontally along the transitional strip based on the dominance of tree species i.e., Pure Anogeissus latifolia forest (P.AL), mixed Pinus roxburghii and Lannea coromandelica forest (M.PR&LC), pure Pinus roxburghii forest (P.PR), mixed Pinus roxburghii and Lannea coromandelica (M.PR&LC) and pure Anogeissus latifolia forest (P.AL). The results revealed that Anogeissus latifolia was reported dominant tree in the outer transitional boundaries of the forest, which reduced dominance of trees towards middle where Pinus roxburghii was found dominant. The soil carbon stock was reported higher in the Anogeissus latifolia dominant forest and reduced with the dominance of Pinus roxburghii in the middle site. Both the species are growing close to one another and competing for survival, but the aggressive nature of Anogeissus latifolia particular in this region may change new growth of Pinus roxburghii and will enhance soil carbon stock. But high anthropogenic pressure on Anogeissus latifolia tree species could be limited chance to further its flourish.