ArticlePDF Available

Structure and Regeneration of Sal (Shorea robusta Gaertn f.) Forests in Shiwalik Region of Kumaun Himalaya, India

DOI:10.54207/bsmps1000-2017-0N83L0
Authors:
Bhawna Adhikari at Kumaun University
Bhawna Adhikari
Bhawana Kapkoti at Kumaun University
Bhawana Kapkoti
Neelu Lodhiyal
Neelu Lodhiyal
Neelu Lodhiyal
  • This person is not on ResearchGate, or hasn't claimed this research yet.
Laxman Singh Lodhiyal at Kumaun University
Laxman Singh Lodhiyal
Download full-text PDF
Read full-text
Download citation

Abstract

Present study was carried out to assess the structure and regeneration of Sal forests in Shiwalik region of Kumaun Himalaya. Vegetation analysis and tree canopy density was determined by using quadrat and densitometer, respectively. Density of seedlings, saplings and trees was 490-14067, 37-1233, and 273-863 ind.ha-1 respectively. The basal area was 0.12-5.44 m2 ha-1 reported for saplings and 25.4-77.6 m2 ha-1 for trees. Regeneration of Sal was found good in Sal mixed dense forest followed by Sal open forest and Sal dense forest, respectively. Regeneration of Sal was assisted by the presence of associated tree species as well as the sufficient sunlight availability on ground due to adequate opening of canopy trees in Sal forest. Thus it is concluded that the density of tree canopy, sunlight availability and also associated tree species impacted the regeneration of Sal in the region.
Content uploaded by Bhawna Adhikari
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Bhawna Adhikari on Jun 12, 2017
Content may be subject to copyright.
Scanned by CamScanner
Scanned by CamScanner
Scanned by CamScanner
Scanned by CamScanner
Scanned by CamScanner
Scanned by CamScanner
Scanned by CamScanner
Scanned by CamScanner
... The mode of regeneration determines survival through human disturbance and the plant growth after the disturbance (Kennard, 2002) [11] . The less number of seedlings in all the forests may be due to the low viability of seeds, disturbances brought by frequent fire incidence, erosion of soil and water, uncontrolled grazing by animals, cuttings of under canopy plant species by villagers for their domestic cattle etc (Kapkoti et al., 2016;Adhikari et al., 2017) [1] . The aim of the study was to know the IVI of tree species and status of regenerating species in the different magnitude of human disturbance. ...
... The mode of regeneration determines survival through human disturbance and the plant growth after the disturbance (Kennard, 2002) [11] . The less number of seedlings in all the forests may be due to the low viability of seeds, disturbances brought by frequent fire incidence, erosion of soil and water, uncontrolled grazing by animals, cuttings of under canopy plant species by villagers for their domestic cattle etc (Kapkoti et al., 2016;Adhikari et al., 2017) [1] . The aim of the study was to know the IVI of tree species and status of regenerating species in the different magnitude of human disturbance. ...
An ecological assessment of anthropogenic disturbance impact on regeneration and Importance value index of woody species in Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary
Article
Full-text available
  • Sep 2021
The objective of present study was to assess the impact of human induced anthropogenic pressure on regeneration and Importance Value Index of woody species in the study area. The study was carried out in Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary having an area of 400km 2 located in Bahraich district off Uttar Pradesh, India. The latitude and longitude of study area is 28ᴼ 06҆ N & 28ᴼ 24҆ N latitudes and 81ᴼ 02҆ E & 81ᴼ 19҆ E longitude. The sanctuary has moist deciduous type of forest and enriched with wide variety of flora and fauna. For methodology, a reconnaissance survey was carried out and area was stratified on the basis of presence of anthropogenic disturbance indicators into high, medium and low disturbed sites. Circular plot method was used for used for tree and regenerative species in each stratified sites. For data analysis, Importance value Index of woody species, density and Sorenson's similarity coefficient was calculated. The overall highest IVI is of Lannea grandis (75.45) in the study area. In low disturbed site, the highest is of Scleichera oleosa (28.52). The sapling and seedling density of Mallotus phillipinensis was found to be highest in low disturbed site (419.46/ha and 549.3/ha respectively). The Sorenson's similarity coefficient of seedling was found to be highest (46.67%) across high-medium disturbed site compared to tree and sapling layer. The family Fabaceae was represented by seedling layer in the study area with highest proportion (26.66%) compared with tree and sapling layer. In the present study, urgent conservation initiatives are required for species showing lower IVI in highest and least disturbed site. The rare regenerative species having lower densities also needs utmost consideration.
View
... Tree species diversity is well established in Central Himalayas, several authors have studied the diversity estimates especially under elevational gradients (Ram et al. 2004;De 2007;Sharma et al. 2009;Gairola et al. 2011). Stand structural attributes, phytosociology and dominance-diversity relationship along with regeneration dynamics are studied for major Central Himalayan forest types Singh and Singh 1986;Hussain et al. 2008;Gairola et al. 2012;Singh and Rawat 2012;Saha et al. 2016;Singh et al. 2016;Adhikari et al. 2017;Sharma et al. 2018;Tiwari et al. 2018). There are specific studies relating tree species diversity and community structure with slope-aspects (Sharma et al. 2010;Tiwari et al. 2020); soil properties Rawat et al. 2020); biomass and carbon stocks (Sharma et al. 2010;Kaushal and Baishya 2021); and anthropogenic disturbance (Uniyal et al. 2010;Pokhriyal et al. 2012;Rawal et al. 2012;Tiwari et al. 2019). ...
... However, the efficient regeneration of Tectona grandis (Fig. 9l), Adina cordifolia and Holoptelea integrifolia in tropical forests could affect the species composition of these forests in the future. Adhikari et al. (2017) showed good regeneration of Sal in Kumaun Himalayas, while Shankar (2001) indicated poor regeneration in highly species diverse Eastern Himalayan Sal forest. In temperate elevations, the poor regeneration of Q. oblongata (Fig. 9i) is due to seed foraging by animals (Himalayan Langoor-Semnopithecus sp.) in the winter season along with seed desiccation an outcome of anthropogenic litter removal (Singh and Singh 1987). ...
Diversity, regeneration, and anthropogenic disturbance in major Indian Central Himalayan forest types: implications for conservation
Article
Full-text available
Understanding community structure together with regeneration and disturbance provides a holistic purview of forest health and the necessary management implications essential for conservation. These aspects were studied independently or under specific elevational zone in Central Himalayas; therefore, this study was undertaken to understand the key relations and to access the status of major protected Central Himalayan forest types. The parameters were accessed using standard quadrat technique in eight major reserved and protected forest types along an elevational gradient (333–3375 m). Tropical moist deciduous forest had the highest stem density (457 tree ha−1), species richness (21 species), richness index (Margalef’s index: 3.67) and diversity index (Shannon-Wiener index: 2.63). Quercus semecarpifolia-Rhododendron arboreum association forest had the highest total basal area (94.75 m2 ha−1). Species predominantly showed clumped dispersion pattern. Climax Himalayan species viz. Shorea robusta, Quercus oblongata, and Abies spectabilis have poor regeneration which have modified the community into decreasing to unimodal distribution. Total basal area explained 71.9% (p < 0.001) of the total variation in species dominance. Species richness, diversity, and evenness indices showed strong significant positive correlations which are also evident in the species-sequence curves with species diverse sites having wider spread. Anthropogenic surface fires in sub-tropical Pine forest while grazing and lopping for fuelwood requirements in temperate and sub-alpine forests are major disturbance parameters. The results signify that these forests have not yet attained maximum diversity. Monitoring the regeneration of important native and climax species along with co-operation from local communities is key for efficient management of these forests.
View
... m 2 ha -1 and 23.2 -47.8 m 2 ha -1 of tree species.19 Tree species diversity was 1.1-2.1 in sal forest which falls within the range 0.7 -2.6 of sal forest in Central Himalaya[13][14][15]18,20 and the range slightly higher side than 0.698-0.904 for dry tropical forest. ...
Tree Structure Analysis, Biomass and Carbon Stock of Sal Forests in Central Himalayan Region
Article
  • Apr 2023
Present study deals with density, species diversity, basal area, IVI, biomass and carbon stock in Sal forests. The study was conducted in three Sal forest sites around Champawat at Tanakpur. Among the fifteen tree species, total density of trees varied between 290-690 ind. ha-1 in all studied forest. The basal area of trees in forests was 50.92 to 78.84 m2 ha-1. Tree species diversity of Sal forests varied from 1.07-2.11. Biomass and carbon stock of trees ranged from 473.3 to 786.8 tha-1 and 224.8- 373.7 tha-1yr-1 respectively. Shorea robusta was dominated species based on density parameter in all studied forest sites. The tree density of Sal forests was slightly on lower side with comparison to natural forests in and around the region. However, density exhibits positive correlation at (p?0.05) with biomass and carbon. But the difference in age and size of Sal trees showed the variation in biomass and carbon stock among the studied forest site. Present study concludes that Sal forests in and around nearby villages were in degraded conditions due to anthropogenic pressure. Thus, the forests must be conserved through judicious management by providing proper scientific inputs for high biomass and carbon.
View
... F. (Vern: Sal), a diploid (2n = 2x = 14) outcrossing species belonging to the family Dipterocarpaceae, have fundamental ecological and evolutionary significance besides being utilized for commercial timber production worldwide (Gautam et al. 2007). Further, the species has usages consisting of medicinal, fodder and fuelwood, being consumed by the locals and forest dwelling communities (Adhikari et al. 2017). Due to substantial overexploitation and habitat fragmentation of the tropical forests, the species' range is in an alarming state, threatening the long-term maintenance of its genetic diversity and survival (Gautam and Devoe 2006). ...
Genome-wide characterization leading to simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers development in Shorea robusta
Article
Full-text available
  • Mar 2023
Tropical rainforests in Southeast Asia are enriched by multifarious biota dominated by Dipterocarpaceae. In this family, Shorea robusta is an ecologically sensitive and economically important timber species whose genomic diversity and phylogeny remain understudied due to lack of datasets on genetic resources. Smattering availability of molecular markers impedes population genetic studies indicating a necessity to develop genomic databases and species-specific markers in S. robusta. Accordingly, the present study focused on fostering de novo low-depth genome sequencing, identification of reliable microsatellites markers, and their validation in various populations of S. robusta in Uttarakhand Himalayas. With 69.88 million raw reads assembled into 1,97,489 contigs (read mapped to 93.2%) and a genome size of 357.11 Mb (29 × coverage), Illumina paired-end sequencing technology arranged a library of sequence data of ~ 10 gigabases (Gb). From 57,702 microsatellite repeats, a total of 35,049 simple sequence repeat (SSR) primer pairs were developed. Afterward, among randomly selected 60 primer pairs, 50 showed successful amplification and 24 were found as polymorphic. Out of which, nine polymorphic loci were further used for genetic analysis in 16 genotypes each from three different geographical locations of Uttarakhand (India). Prominently, the average number of alleles per locus (Na), observed heterozygosity (Ho), expected heterozygosity (He), and the polymorphism information content (PIC) were recorded as 2.44, 0.324, 0.277 and 0.252, respectively. The accessibility of sequence information and novel SSR markers potentially enriches the current knowledge of the genomic background for S. robusta and to be utilized in various genetic studies in species under tribe Shoreae.
View
... Sapkota et al. (2009). Adhikari et al. (2017) and Bhatta and Devkota (2020) mentioned that a low canopy cover is suitable for the regeneration of Sal. ...
Regeneration Status of Sal (Shorea robusta Gaertn.) in Community Managed Forests, Tanahun District, Nepal
Article
Full-text available
  • Dec 2021
The present research aims to know the regeneration status of community managed Shorea robusta (Sal) forests; managed for 6-21 years in Tanahun district, a part of Gandaki Province, Nepal. These forests were categorized into two groups according to management duration (more than 10 years and equal or less than 10 yrs). The regeneration status of the forest was estimated by calculating the density of each species in each developmental phase (seedling, sapling and tree). The total tree density of community forest managed for more than 10 years (MCF forest; 1230 plants/ha) was less than the community forest managed for equal or less than 10 years (LCF forest; 1314 plants/ha). The results suggest that the size class distribution of the trees resembling inverse-J shaped indicates the good regenerating capability of both forests. After the handover of forests to the community, Sal density had increased rapidly in both the forests. Community management had a significant positive impact on the regeneration of the forest, and thus, the productivity of the forest. Thus, the study of regeneration of forest trees has important implications for the conservation and management of natural forests.
View
... Our present finding lie between the range (25.4-77.6 m 2 ha −1 for trees and 0.12-5.44 m 2 ha −1 for saplings) of finding by Adhikari et al. (2017) in Sal mixed forest and higher than the value of 9-14.79 m 2 ha −1 for dry tropical forests of Vindhyan region, India (Singh ...
Site quality and vegetation biomass in the tropical Sal mixed deciduous forest of Central India
Article
  • Mar 2021
Tropical Sal forests are gaining wide recognitions due to its multifarious significance. An estimation of vegetational structure and biomass would be helpful for evaluating both productivity and sustainability of the forest ecosystems. Information regarding vegetational biomass, litter mass and fine root biomass, and overall dry matter dynamics are very limited. Therefore, the present work deals the vegetation biomass influenced by four different site quality of Sal dominating tropical deciduous forest of Chhattisgarh, India. The current study provides a framework under which all vegetational attributes can be quantified under varying site quality which is modified by different seasons. Our study revealed a significant increase in vegetational attributes and biomass as per increasing quality of sites. The density value (individuals/ha) and basal area (m2/ha) of tree, sapling and seedling in different sites were ranged from 710 to 1010, 2000 to 2500, 9750 to 14,500 and 33.5 to 46.8, 0.32 to 0.33, 17.96 to 21.43, respectively. The total biomass varied from 187.39 to 383.46 t ha−1. The fine root and forest floor biomass varied between 2.44 and 4.20 t ha−1, and 2.32 and 2.83 t ha−1, respectively among different sites and seasons. The total litter fall varied from 4.18 to 5.69 t ha−1 yr−1 across the site quality. It reflected that highest value of forest floor, litter floor and fine root biomass were seen in site quality (SQ) SQ-I followed by SQ-II, SQ-III and SQ-IV, respectively in different seasons. A great synergy exists among site quality, stand structure and biomass which surely affect ecosystem structure and its functions. Seasonal impacts are another factor that regulates vegetational statistics, forest floor, fine roots and pattern of litterfall in varying site qualities. Thus, a management implication is needed to understand site quality variation which entirely affects vegetational structure and biomass pattern that would help in strengthening sustainable forest management program.
View
View
View
Species richness, diversity, structure, and distribution patterns across dominating forest communities of low and mid-hills in the Central Himalaya
Article
Full-text available
  • Jan 2022
The forests of the central Himalayan region are characterized by the dominance of some populous and conspicuous tree species across altitudes that are crucial for ecosystem functions and services. An understanding of such forests with relation to species richness, diversity, structural pattern, and distribution is crucial in maintaining ecosystem stability. Considering this, the present study was undertaken on the four most common forest types dominated with Sal (Shorea robusta), Chir-pine (Pinus roxburghii), and Banj-oak (Quercus leucotrichophora), and mixed-oak (Q. lanuginosa and Q. floribunda) between 300 and 2250 m msl. Across the studied forest stands, we recorded a total of 110 plant species, belonging to 53 families. The most dominating life form was herbaceous (52%), followed by trees (27%), and shrubs (21%). Tree density was recorded maximum (884 ind. ha −1) at the mixed oak stand and minimum (652 ind. ha −1) recorded at the chir-pine forest; however, maximum (51.58 m 2 ha −1) total basal area (TBA) was recorded in banj-oak forest and minimum (33.42 m 2 ha −1) at mixed-oak forest stand. Tree density, seedling density, and TBA are significantly varied among the forest stands. The temperate oak forests comprised higher species richness and diversity at tree and shrub stratum. However, subtropical sal and chir-pine stand recorded higher regeneration. All stands exhibited high community dependence on forest resources that may increase the vulnerability of forest with respect to human interference, thus deserve immediate attention. Site-specific management and conservation measures have been suggested to provide opportunities for sustainable management of all forest stands.
View
Carbon storage, flux and mitigation potential of tropical Sal mixed deciduous forest ecosystem in Chhattisgarh, India
Article
Tropical forests are considered for greater species diversity and ensure climate change mitigation through carbon (C) sink which maintains terrestrial C storage in the world. Tree provides both tangible (timber, fuelwood, etc. For humans) and intangible benefits (as climate security through C sink) that maintains ecosystem processes. Tropical Sal forests are gaining popularity due to its remarkable contribution as C sink, storage, budget and flux. In the present study, an effort has been made to explore vegetational statistics along with C storage, budget and flux in four different site qualities (SQ) of Sal dominating tropical deciduous forest of Chhattisgarh, India. The density (individuals/ha) and basal area (m²/ha) varied from 710 to 1010 and 33.5–46.8 in tree, 2000–2500 and 0.32–0.33 in sapling and 9750–14500 and 17.96–21.43 in seedling, respectively in varying SQ. The total biomass varied from 182.27 to 375.84 t/ha in varying SQ. The total C in trees varied from 79.86 to 163.63 t ha⁻¹. Quantity of C in above ground and below ground portions in trees on different sites were 72.32–143.36 t/ha and 7.54–20.27 t/ha, respectively. Total aboveground tree C sequestration values ranged between 5.12 and 11.68 t C ha⁻¹yr⁻¹ on different SQ. The C storage and net fluxes were represented in compartment models to assess the various SQ. As per models, forest received 14.63, 10.81, 8.19 and 6.83 t/ha/yr of C input through net primary production (NPP) in SQ-I, SQ-II, SQ-III and SQ-IV, respectively which are depleted as 3.55, 3.12, 2.77 and 2.33 t/ha/yr as total C input in the soil. Moreover 1.77 (SQ-I), 1.60 (SQ-II), 1.46 (SQ-III) and 1.30 (SQ-IV) t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹of C were transferred from foliage to litter compartment, respectively. These dynamics, budgeting and flux of C represents “how C stored and moved within an ecosystem”. Similarly, it affects overall terrestrial C pools that is governed by varying SQ.
View
View
Structure and Diversity of Sal Forests in Government and Community Management Systems in kumaun Region of Central Himalaya
Article
Full-text available
  • Apr 2016
The present study deals with structure, diversity and regeneration of Sal (ShorearobustaGaertn.) forests in Kumaun region of Central Himalaya. Twoforest types were investigated i.e. Sal dominant forestandSal teak (Tectonagrandis Linn.) mixed forestin KumaunHimalaya.Tree, sapling and seedling density was 650- 911, 36-1303 and 400-6656 ind.ha-1, respectively. Salshowed reverse J-shaped curve representing good regeneration and T. grandisshowed reverse bell shaped indicating fair regeneration in community management system while Sal showed poor regeneration in the government management forest. Sal showed comparatively good regeneration in Sal mixed forest in community managed while poor regeneration in Sal dominantgovernment management system. Over exploitation Sal species for basic needs of people consequentlyimpart the negative impact on regeneration of forest. Thus it is suggested that mixed forests with higher number of species reduces the pressure on individual ones species as can be brought by local people so should be managed and conserved sustainably.
View
View
Distribution of juveniles of tree species along a canopy closure gradient in a tropical cloud forest of the Venezuelan Andes
Article
Full-text available
  • Dec 2015
Cloud forests represent a minor portion of the world forests, though outstanding in terms of biodiversity, endemisms, and environmental services provided. Understanding the factors that drive the regeneration and species composition of these forests, and in particular how light availability affects the patterns of juvenile tree distribution in the understory, is critical for conservation and restoration programs. In this study, we determined the range-size and overlap of the abundance distribution of juveniles for 20 tree species in an Andean tropical cloud forest in Venezuela along a gradient of percentage canopy openness (%CO) used as a surrogate of light availability. The observed distribution of %CO was then compared with a bounded null model of community structure in order to test light partitioning as a driver of tree species’ coexistence. We measured %CO using hemispherical photography and the abundance and size of juvenile trees in 280 plots of 1-m radius spread over a 32 ha forest area. The distribution of sites was skewed towards the lower end of the %CO gradient (0.5 to 12.8%), while species abundance sharply diminished at both ends of the gradient. Nevertheless, 15 out of 20 species had a non-random distribution in relation to %CO, with many species concentrated near the lower side of the gradient. The observed pattern of species’ overlap was within the 95% confidence limits for the average overlap expected under the bounded null model. These patterns indicate that low canopy openness is the rule in this forest, in spite of the scattered tree-fall gaps, and suggest that light partitioning does not determine the tree community structure at the juvenile stage. High redundancy in light requirements among juveniles of tree species may have a positive effect on species coexistence in cloud forests, thus maintaining a high species diversity. However, other factors such as recruitment limitation and differential growth/carbon-gain among species at the juvenile stage along the light gradient could contribute to the high diversity of these ecosystems.
View
Plant species diversity in unmanaged moist deciduous forest of Northern India
Article
Full-text available
The present study examines species recovery and change in community composition four decades after the management plan completely constrained all silvicultural activities in Doon Valley (India) moist deciduous sal forests (Shorea robusta). These forests experienced intensive commercial logging for an extended period (> 100 years). To discontinue disintegration and improve the diversity and regeneration, these were declared protective and consequently all silvicultural activities were abandoned. For this, species richness and regeneration were studied in the context of overstorey structure, employing nested quadrat method. Out of 130 species reported in the earl iestmost study from these forests, only 68 species were recorded here. Change in community composition has taken place with Mallotus philippensis becoming dominant in one community; this association is new for these forests. Effect of overstorey structure was noticeable, highest species richness and diversity were increasing with a decrease in tree density and basal area. These forests showed impaired regeneration progression; for all the groups there was a wide gap between the seedlings and saplings conversion to advance stages. Prospects of recovery are fair as several tree species were reported in juvenile stages with adequate density. Results demonstrated that conversion of forests having a long history of exploitation to protected forest is initially good, but for successful recovery, after a restitution time, it is desirable to emulate intermediate disturbance by selective harvesting of old and malformed trees. This will initiate gap-phase regeneration and channelize resources to lower diameter class trees to develop.
View
Plant diversity, population structure, and regeneration status in disturbed tropical forests in Assam, northeast India
Article
Full-text available
  • Dec 2013
We investigated the plant population structure and the phytosociological and regeneration status in two disturbed tropical forests in Assam Province, the Hojai Reserve Forest and Kumorakata Reserve Forest. A total of 166 species (80 trees, 20 shrubs and 66 herbs) of 136 genera and 63 families were recorded in both study sites. The disturbance index at the two sites, Kumorakata Reserve Forest and Hojai Reserve Forest, were recorded at 11.4% and 3.70% respectively. Reverse J-shaped population curve and exploitation of tree species in higher girth classes were recorded at both study sites. In the girth classes (10−30 cm, 30−60 cm, 60−90 cm and 90−120 cm in size) the percentage of cut stump density was higher than the percentage of individual living trees. The 18% (Kumorakata Reserve Forest) and 7% (Hojai Reserve Forest) species were recorded as "not regenerating." Illegal felling and over-exploitation of forest resources may lead to species-specific changes in the population structure and can alter the future structure and composition of the forests.
View
View
Comparative vegetation analysis and sal (Shorea robusta) regeneration in relation to their disturbance magnitude in some sal forests
Article
  • Jan 1999
The present study aimed to compare the vegetation of sal forests of Doon valley and relate the magnitude of disturbance with the quantification of vegetation, their resource apportionment and thus the regeneration of sal. The whole area is divided into five sites as per their disturbance magnitude (Phanduwala-I; Lachhiwala-II; Balandiwala-III; Jhajhra-IV and Timili-V). Total basal area (cm2 100 m-2) ranged in between 2324-3775 for trees; 74-354 for shrubs and 1.28-30 for herb species at different sites. The distribution patterns for most of the species were random, whereas some species of younger stand showed contagious/clumped pattern of distribution. The range for diversity index (Shannon-Wiener Index) was 0.89-2.31 for trees: 0.87-1.99 for shrubs and 0.64-2.34 for herbs. Diversity index was invariably higher for herbs followed by shrubs and trees. Tree diversity was higher for least disturbed sites, whereas shrub and herb diversity followed reverse trend. It is noticed that not only disturbance and stand-age affect the sal regeneration due to invasion of new competitors at seedling and sapling stage but the compactness of the stand due to presence of old and big trees also reduce it by increasing moisture status of the soil at the moist areas.
View
View
View