Soil moisture affects various hydrological processes, including evapotranspiration, infiltration, and runoff. Forested areas in the lower western Himalaya in India constitute the headwater catchments for many hill str...Soil moisture affects various hydrological processes, including evapotranspiration, infiltration, and runoff. Forested areas in the lower western Himalaya in India constitute the headwater catchments for many hill streams and have experienced degradation in forest cover due to grazing, deforestation and other human activities. This change in forest cover is likely to alter the soil moisture regime and, consequently, flow regimes in streams. The effect of change in forest cover on soil moisture regimes of this dry region has not been studied through long term field observations. We monitored soil matric potentials in two small watersheds in the lower western Himalaya of India. The watersheds consisted of homogeneous land covers of moderately dense oak forest and moderately degraded mixed oak forest. Observations were recorded at three sites at three depths in each watershed at fortnightly intervals for a period of three years. The soil moisture contents derived from soil potential measurements were analyzed to understand the spatial, temporal and profile variations under the two structures of forest cover. The analysis revealed large variations in soil moisture storage at different sites and depths and also during different seasons in each watershed. Mean soil moisture storage during monsoon, winter and summer seasons was higher under dense forest than under degraded forest. Highest soil moisture content occurred at shallow soil profiles, decreasing with depth in both watersheds. A high positive correlation was found between tree density and soil moisture content. Mean soil moisture content over the entire study period was higher under dense forest than under degraded forest. This indicated a potential for soil water storage under well managed oak forest. Because soil water storage is vital for sustenance of low flows, attention is needed on the management of oak forests in the Himalayan region.展开更多
Aboveground biomass and carbon stock in the largest sacred grove of Manipur was estimated for trees with diameter [10 cm at 1.37 m height.The aboveground biomass,carbon stock,tree density and basal area of the sacred ...Aboveground biomass and carbon stock in the largest sacred grove of Manipur was estimated for trees with diameter [10 cm at 1.37 m height.The aboveground biomass,carbon stock,tree density and basal area of the sacred grove ranged from 962.94 to 1130.79 Mg ha;,481.47 to 565.40 Mg ha;C,1240 to 1320 stem ha;and79.43 to 90.64 m;ha;,respectively.Trees in diameter class of 30–40 cm contributed the highest proportion of aboveground biomass（22.50–33.73%）.The aboveground biomass and carbon stock in research area were higher than reported for many tropical and temperate forests,suggesting a role of spiritual forest conservation for carbon sink management.展开更多
We analyze the structure and composition of old-growth wet evergreen forest of Nelliampathy hills, the chain of hills lying immediately south of Palghat Gap, in the southern Western Ghats of India. We sampled 30 plots...We analyze the structure and composition of old-growth wet evergreen forest of Nelliampathy hills, the chain of hills lying immediately south of Palghat Gap, in the southern Western Ghats of India. We sampled 30 plots of 0.1 ha each （50 m × 20 m） at six locations enumerating all plants ？ 10 cm girth at breast height. We pooled the data and computed various structural parameters. There were 152 species of 120 genera and 51 families of the study area. Of these, 118 （77%） were trees, 24 were climbers （16%） and 10 were shrubs （7%）. Species richness varied from 58–99 per 0.5 ha sample and Shannon indices of diversity ranged from 4.4 to 5.2. Fifty-nine per cent （89 species） of the species were Indian Sub-continent elements and 34% （51 species） are endemic to the Western Ghats. Fifteen species are listed in various threat categories. Aglaia and Litsea were the most species-rich genera. Numbers of families ranged from 27–43 per 0.5 ha sample. Euphorbiaceae and Lauraceae were the most species-rich families. Stand density varied from 1714 to 2244 stems·ha？1 and basal area from 53.6 to 102.1 m2·ha？1. The vegetation was dominated by 3–6 species and six dominance patterns characterized the species composition within the hill complex. The old-growth evergreen forests of Nelliampathy exist as small fragments rich in biodiversity and can be used as benchmarks for comparison with disturbed forests.展开更多
This study presents the structural characteristics and regeneration potential of mangrove patches in the estuarine and coastal areas of Kerala, a tropical maritime state in India. Field surveys were carried out at 46 ...This study presents the structural characteristics and regeneration potential of mangrove patches in the estuarine and coastal areas of Kerala, a tropical maritime state in India. Field surveys were carried out at 46 selected sites during August 2015 to May 2016. In each site, the vegetative structure and regeneration status were assessed using the quadrat method. Altogether 219 quadrates were laid out and a total of 13 true mangrove species, belonging to 5 families and 8 genera, were recorded. The total tree density and stand basal area of the study region was1678.08/ha and 20.33 m^2/ha respectively. The low basal areas indicate the reduced structural development in mangroves. Of the 13 tree species, Avicennia constitutes 56%of the total Important Value Index(IVI) and Avicennia officinalis represents 41% of the IVI in Kerala, followed by Avicennia marina(15%), Rhizophora mucronata(15%),Sonneratia alba(8%) Rhizophora apiculata(7%) and Excoecaria agallocha(7%). The diameter at breast height(DBH) in the study area revealed that 47% of the tree species came under the 1–10 cm DBH class. Total sapling and seedling density in Kerala was 2238.35 and 3232.42 individuals/ha respectively. Density of young plants(seedlings ? saplings) was only 31% greater of tree density and varied from 3–63%, which indicates poor regeneration potential. The Maturity index value(MIV) and complexity index(Ic) value of mangroves were 18.30 and 109.81 respectively. However, the low Ic value(\ 10) observed in seven out of ten coastal districts indicated poor structural development of mangroves in Kerala. Therefore, locationspecific conservation and management measures, guided by the knowledge on spatial distribution and habitat requirements of mangrove varieties should be taken to preserve the mangrove diversity of Kerala.展开更多
The habitat structure and floristic composition examined <span style="font-family:Verdana;">for </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">this study are of great importance, provi...The habitat structure and floristic composition examined <span style="font-family:Verdana;">for </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">this study are of great importance, providing a scientific baseline of information for developing a biodiversity database and in supporting crucial information for the management decision-making process of the buffer zones. The primary objective of this study was to examine the current status of species composition and stand structure of moist evergreen forests distributed in the TNR buffer zone. Forest inventory was conducted in the primary moist evergreen forest (~1 ha) and secondary moist evergreen forest (~1 ha). In the TNR buffer zone, 83 species belonging to 31 families in the primary moist evergreen forest and 86 species belonging to 32 families in the secondary moist evergreen forest were found. The most dominant families in the primary moist evergreen forest were Dipterocarpaceae, Sapindaceae, Meliaceae, Myrtaceae, and Myristicaceae;at species level</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">;</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">this forest was composed of </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Nephelium</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> <i>lappaceum</i></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">, </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Myristica</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> <i>malabarica</i></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">, </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Nephelium</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> <i>laurium</i></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">, </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Aglaia</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> <i>andamanica</i></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">, and </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Diospyros</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> <i>peregrine</i></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">. The most dominant families in the secondary moist evergreen forest were Myrtaceae, Sapin展开更多
基金Impact assessment of land use on hydrologic regime in selected micro-watersheds in lesser Himalayas,Uttarakhand,India
文摘Soil moisture affects various hydrological processes, including evapotranspiration, infiltration, and runoff. Forested areas in the lower western Himalaya in India constitute the headwater catchments for many hill streams and have experienced degradation in forest cover due to grazing, deforestation and other human activities. This change in forest cover is likely to alter the soil moisture regime and, consequently, flow regimes in streams. The effect of change in forest cover on soil moisture regimes of this dry region has not been studied through long term field observations. We monitored soil matric potentials in two small watersheds in the lower western Himalaya of India. The watersheds consisted of homogeneous land covers of moderately dense oak forest and moderately degraded mixed oak forest. Observations were recorded at three sites at three depths in each watershed at fortnightly intervals for a period of three years. The soil moisture contents derived from soil potential measurements were analyzed to understand the spatial, temporal and profile variations under the two structures of forest cover. The analysis revealed large variations in soil moisture storage at different sites and depths and also during different seasons in each watershed. Mean soil moisture storage during monsoon, winter and summer seasons was higher under dense forest than under degraded forest. Highest soil moisture content occurred at shallow soil profiles, decreasing with depth in both watersheds. A high positive correlation was found between tree density and soil moisture content. Mean soil moisture content over the entire study period was higher under dense forest than under degraded forest. This indicated a potential for soil water storage under well managed oak forest. Because soil water storage is vital for sustenance of low flows, attention is needed on the management of oak forests in the Himalayan region.
基金funded by Department of Science and Technology(DST),New Delhi India
文摘Aboveground biomass and carbon stock in the largest sacred grove of Manipur was estimated for trees with diameter [10 cm at 1.37 m height.The aboveground biomass,carbon stock,tree density and basal area of the sacred grove ranged from 962.94 to 1130.79 Mg ha;,481.47 to 565.40 Mg ha;C,1240 to 1320 stem ha;and79.43 to 90.64 m;ha;,respectively.Trees in diameter class of 30–40 cm contributed the highest proportion of aboveground biomass（22.50–33.73%）.The aboveground biomass and carbon stock in research area were higher than reported for many tropical and temperate forests,suggesting a role of spiritual forest conservation for carbon sink management.
基金support from the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India
文摘We analyze the structure and composition of old-growth wet evergreen forest of Nelliampathy hills, the chain of hills lying immediately south of Palghat Gap, in the southern Western Ghats of India. We sampled 30 plots of 0.1 ha each （50 m × 20 m） at six locations enumerating all plants ？ 10 cm girth at breast height. We pooled the data and computed various structural parameters. There were 152 species of 120 genera and 51 families of the study area. Of these, 118 （77%） were trees, 24 were climbers （16%） and 10 were shrubs （7%）. Species richness varied from 58–99 per 0.5 ha sample and Shannon indices of diversity ranged from 4.4 to 5.2. Fifty-nine per cent （89 species） of the species were Indian Sub-continent elements and 34% （51 species） are endemic to the Western Ghats. Fifteen species are listed in various threat categories. Aglaia and Litsea were the most species-rich genera. Numbers of families ranged from 27–43 per 0.5 ha sample. Euphorbiaceae and Lauraceae were the most species-rich families. Stand density varied from 1714 to 2244 stems·ha？1 and basal area from 53.6 to 102.1 m2·ha？1. The vegetation was dominated by 3–6 species and six dominance patterns characterized the species composition within the hill complex. The old-growth evergreen forests of Nelliampathy exist as small fragments rich in biodiversity and can be used as benchmarks for comparison with disturbed forests.
基金supported by the Society for Integrated Coastal Management(SICOM)Ministry of Environment,Forest and Climate Change(MoEFCC)Government of India,New Delhi
文摘This study presents the structural characteristics and regeneration potential of mangrove patches in the estuarine and coastal areas of Kerala, a tropical maritime state in India. Field surveys were carried out at 46 selected sites during August 2015 to May 2016. In each site, the vegetative structure and regeneration status were assessed using the quadrat method. Altogether 219 quadrates were laid out and a total of 13 true mangrove species, belonging to 5 families and 8 genera, were recorded. The total tree density and stand basal area of the study region was1678.08/ha and 20.33 m^2/ha respectively. The low basal areas indicate the reduced structural development in mangroves. Of the 13 tree species, Avicennia constitutes 56%of the total Important Value Index(IVI) and Avicennia officinalis represents 41% of the IVI in Kerala, followed by Avicennia marina(15%), Rhizophora mucronata(15%),Sonneratia alba(8%) Rhizophora apiculata(7%) and Excoecaria agallocha(7%). The diameter at breast height(DBH) in the study area revealed that 47% of the tree species came under the 1–10 cm DBH class. Total sapling and seedling density in Kerala was 2238.35 and 3232.42 individuals/ha respectively. Density of young plants(seedlings ? saplings) was only 31% greater of tree density and varied from 3–63%, which indicates poor regeneration potential. The Maturity index value(MIV) and complexity index(Ic) value of mangroves were 18.30 and 109.81 respectively. However, the low Ic value(\ 10) observed in seven out of ten coastal districts indicated poor structural development of mangroves in Kerala. Therefore, locationspecific conservation and management measures, guided by the knowledge on spatial distribution and habitat requirements of mangrove varieties should be taken to preserve the mangrove diversity of Kerala.
文摘The habitat structure and floristic composition examined <span style="font-family:Verdana;">for </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">this study are of great importance, providing a scientific baseline of information for developing a biodiversity database and in supporting crucial information for the management decision-making process of the buffer zones. The primary objective of this study was to examine the current status of species composition and stand structure of moist evergreen forests distributed in the TNR buffer zone. Forest inventory was conducted in the primary moist evergreen forest (~1 ha) and secondary moist evergreen forest (~1 ha). In the TNR buffer zone, 83 species belonging to 31 families in the primary moist evergreen forest and 86 species belonging to 32 families in the secondary moist evergreen forest were found. The most dominant families in the primary moist evergreen forest were Dipterocarpaceae, Sapindaceae, Meliaceae, Myrtaceae, and Myristicaceae;at species level</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">;</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">this forest was composed of </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Nephelium</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> <i>lappaceum</i></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">, </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Myristica</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> <i>malabarica</i></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">, </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Nephelium</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> <i>laurium</i></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">, </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Aglaia</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> <i>andamanica</i></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">, and </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Diospyros</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> <i>peregrine</i></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">. The most dominant families in the secondary moist evergreen forest were Myrtaceae, Sapin
