Ecological, Social and Commercial Role of Lichens in India with ...
Ecological, Social and Commercial Role of Lichens in India with ...
Ecological, Social and Commercial Role of Lichens in India with ...
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Acdemia Arena 2010, Supplement 0201<br />
http://www.sciencepub.net<br />
Chapter-3<br />
PHYTOSOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS IN BROWN OAK<br />
DOMINATED FOREST OF GARHWAL HIMALAYA, INDIA<br />
BALWANT KUMAR, DINESH GIRI & DILIP KUMAR UPRETI*<br />
Department <strong>of</strong> Botany, D.S.B. Campus, Kumaun University, Na<strong>in</strong>ital (<strong>India</strong>) *National Botanical<br />
Research Institute, Lucknow (<strong>India</strong>)<br />
ABSTRACT: The present study was carried out <strong>in</strong> eight forest sites dom<strong>in</strong>ated by Quercus<br />
semecarpifolia (brown oak) to asses variations <strong>in</strong> floral biodiversity <strong>and</strong> community <strong>with</strong> changes<br />
<strong>in</strong> microclimatic conditions between 2500-3500m elevation <strong>in</strong> Chopta (Garhwal). Anthropogenic<br />
disturbances are chang<strong>in</strong>g the species richness <strong>and</strong> diversity, which <strong>in</strong>fluence the soil <strong>and</strong><br />
environmental conditions. Thus, the conservation <strong>and</strong> management <strong>of</strong> these forests will be<br />
important for the susta<strong>in</strong>ability <strong>of</strong> human <strong>and</strong> l<strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong> the region. A total <strong>of</strong> 14 species <strong>of</strong> trees, 8<br />
species <strong>of</strong> shrubs <strong>and</strong> 20 species <strong>of</strong> herbs & grasses were encountered across the study area.<br />
Key words: Tree species, study sites, Garhwal Himalaya<br />
INTRODUCTION<br />
<strong>India</strong> is among the important mega-biodiversity centres <strong>of</strong> the world, <strong>with</strong> a lot <strong>of</strong><br />
contribution from the Himalayan ecosystem. Biodiversity is used variously for fodder, fuel wood,<br />
timber, <strong>and</strong> leaf litter for manur<strong>in</strong>g crop fields, construction, <strong>in</strong>dustrial raw material <strong>and</strong> several<br />
non-timber forest produce. Biodiversity is the totality <strong>of</strong> genes, species, <strong>and</strong> ecosystem <strong>in</strong> a region.<br />
Vegetation <strong>in</strong> a mounta<strong>in</strong> area is affected by several factors <strong>of</strong> which altitude, aspect, slope, soil,<br />
canopy cover <strong>and</strong> microclimate are predom<strong>in</strong>ant at the modify regimes <strong>of</strong> moisture <strong>and</strong> exposure to<br />
sun. Forest diversity is the ma<strong>in</strong> source <strong>of</strong> livelihood <strong>of</strong> the people liv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Uttarakh<strong>and</strong>, Central<br />
Himalaya. Species composition <strong>of</strong> major forest types <strong>of</strong> central Himalaya have been described by<br />
Ralhan et al (1982), Saxena <strong>and</strong> S<strong>in</strong>gh (1984), S<strong>in</strong>gh <strong>and</strong> S<strong>in</strong>gh (1987), S<strong>in</strong>gh <strong>and</strong> S<strong>in</strong>gh (1992)<br />
have summarized the <strong>in</strong>formation on the structure <strong>and</strong> function <strong>of</strong> the Himalayan forest ecosystem.<br />
The present study was conducted <strong>in</strong> eight forest sites <strong>of</strong> Quercus semecarpifolia (brown oak)<br />
located between 2500-3500m elevations <strong>in</strong> Chopta forest <strong>of</strong> Garhwal to asses the phytosociological<br />
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