Plant formations in central Bhutan and the challenges of conserving biodiversity

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14- set up of permanent observation plots on which long-term dynamics of the ecosystemsunder different intensities of utilisation are monitored, and/or- exemplary inventories of plants and animals in specific vegetation types with varyingintensities of human utilisation and different successional stages- studies of the productivity and carrying capacity of native grasslands in intensive grazingsystemsIt would be convenient to identify indicator species or species groups characterizing certainstages of degradation, threat to rare species etc. This, however, requires broad activities inbiological fieldwork.A respective research proposal for the BG-SRDP area is given in the next section.Literature cited in chapter 1:BÜRGI, A. (1994): Struktur und Verjüngung von Gebirgswaldbeständen. - Forum für Wissen(1994), 15-27.BÜRGI, A., RINCHEN & TSHEWANG DORJI (1992): A study of the fir forests (Abies densaGriff.) in Chumi valley, Central Bhutan. - Unpublished report, IFDP Bumthang, LameGömpa Forestry Research Station.ELLENBERG, H. (1996): Vegetation Mitteleuropas mit den Alpen. 5th edition. Stuttgart:Ulmer.GASTON, K.J. (Ed., 1997): Biodiversity. A biology of numbers and difference. Oxford etc.:Blackwell.HAWKSWORTH, D.L. (Ed., 1996): Biodiversity. Measurement and estimation. London:Chapman & Hall.PETERS, C.M., GENTRY, A.H. & R.O. MENDELSOHN (1989): Valuation of an amazonianrainforest. - Nature 339: 655-656.PHUNTSHO NAMGYEL & A.C. GHIMIRAY (1997): Forests: The super store. A case study ofrural people's dependence on forest resources in west-central Bhutan. - Paperprepared for sub-regional workshop on ethnobotany, 17-22 December, 1997,Chittagong, Bangledesh.ROSSET, J. & RINCHEN (1998): Study of natural regeneration in small openings created bygroup selection silvicultural system in mixed conifer stands rich in Hemlock, centralBhutan. - Unpublished report, RNR-RC Jakar, Bumthang, Bhutan.WHITTAKER, R.H. (1975): Communities and ecosystems. New York.rö/miehe/Bhutan98/doc
152. Proposal of a biodiversity monitoring system and respective in-depth studies inthe BG-SRDP2.1 General remarksIf it is attempted to understand the changes taking place in a certain vegetation type after themodes of utilisation are altered, there are two main approaches:(1) Permanent observation plots are set up on which the variables under concern aremonitored regularly; the first inventory is made prior to the planned change in utilisationintensity(2) Transect studies are undertaken along gradients of exploitation intensity in a certainvegetation unit, e.g. along a trail connecting two villages at similar altitude.The second approach has the advantage in yielding results immediately after the evaluationof one fieldwork campaign. If the record plots are carefully chosen, the gradient series mightrepresent the time series obtained from the permanent observation plots after some decadesonly. The disadvantages are that large amounts of records are required in order todistinguish between the natural variability and gradient-specific variation in speciescomposition. Second, it might be difficult in many areas to find a sufficient number of plotswith almost identic altitude, slope inclination and exposure and comparable dynamic stage(e.g. in the bamboo cycle). In contrast, returning to a permanent observation plot, one can besure that the principal physical site conditions remain the same.Third, the transect approach cannot cover any isolated aspects of human resourceexploitation prior to the planned changes in landuse: the gradient of floristic changesbetween two villages usually reflects the total of human interference, i.e., grazing pluswoodcutting plus exploitation of non-timber forest products. There will be very rare or noforest spots where a collection gradient of non-timber forest products exists but no grazingand woodcutting is practised, and so on. Thus, the development of species composition inforests alloted to a specific use under the exclusion of cattle can only be studied in anexperimental setting.Transect studies of the vegetation are regarded the most appropriate approach to obtainecological data in the project area, as long as definite changes in forest utilisation do not takeplace and further scientific knowledge is needed for the setting up of reasonablemanagement plans within a realistic time span. At the same time, selected plots should berö/miehe/Bhutan98/doc
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Plant formations in central Bhutan and the challenges of conserving biodiversity

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