STUDIES ON FLORISTIC COMPOSITION, REGENERATION AND STAND CHARACTERISTICS OF Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus
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Date
2020-07
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NAUNI,UHF
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The present investigation entitled “Studies on floristic composition, regeneration and stand characteristics of Quercus
leucotrichophora A. Camus” was carried out during the year 2018-19 to know the status of floral diversity, regeneration, carbon stock,
stand characteristics and soil physico-chemical properties in Chail forests of district Solan, Kufri forests of district Shimla, Sarahan and
Churdhar forests in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh with three elevations i.e., E1 (<1500 m), E2 (1500-1800 m) and E3 (>1800 m) in
each. Under this study, 9 quadrats (with replications) of size 31.62 m × 31.62 m for trees were laid out randomly along the elevation in
which three sub-quadrats of size of 2m × 2 m for regeneration, 5m × 5 m for shrubs and 1m × 1 m for herbs were laid out. Among all the
locations total 115 plant species were encountered which included 7 species of trees, 32 species of shrubs and 76 species of herbs belonging
to 103 genera and 51 families. The maximum trees species were recorded in Kufri forests and highest shrub and herb species was recorded
in Chail forests. In different Q. leucotrichophora forests, the density and basal area of trees decreased in the order: Kufri forest > Chail
forest > Churdhar forest > Sarahan forest. For shrubs, thedensityand basal area decreased as: Chail forest > Churdhar forest > Kufri forest >
Sarahan forest and for herbs as: Kufri forest > Sarahan forest > Chail forest > Churdhar forest. The density and basal area for trees, shrubs
and herbs showed a decreasing trend with altitude as: E1 > E2 > E3. Among all the locations, maximum recruits and establishment index
was recorded in Chail forests and Churdhar forests showed higher values for established regeneration, stocking index, ESP and regeneration
per cent. The floor management was carried out by plotting 2m x 2 m beds at each elevation as: P1 (Without removal of leaf litter (Control)),
P2 (Removal of leaf litter, P3 (Hoeing i.e., 15 cm approx, without removal of leaf litter), P4 (Hoeing i.e. 15 cm approx, with removal of leaf
litter). The results showed that P3 was best among all other treatments while P4 treatment showed least effect on acorn germination. The
natural regeneration under floor management can be concluded as: Kufri forests > Chail forests > Churdhar forests > Sarahan forests. The
tree growing stock, tree total biomass and total vegetation carbon density was observed following a trend: Kufri forest > Chail forest >
Churdhar forest > Sarahan forest. For shrubs, total biomass followed the order as: Churdhar forest > Kufri forest > Chail forest > Sarahan
forest and for herbs as:Chail forest > Kufri forest > Sarahan forest > Churdhar forest. The highest tree diameter was found in Kufri forests >
Chail forests > Churdhar forests > Sarahan forests. The crown width varied with locations as Sarahan forests > Churdhar forests > Kufri
forests > Chail forests and with elevations as E3 > E2 > E3. Thecrown length washighest in Kufri forests > Churdhar forests > Chail forests
> Sarahan forests. The mean diameter, tree height and crown length decreased as: E1 > E2 > E3. Wood densityfor all tree species followed
the order as E1 < E2 < E3. The wood density for Quercus leucotrichophora and Pinus roxburghii Sargent decreased in the order as:
Churdhar forests > Kufri forests > Chail forests > Sarahan forests. Wood density for Cedrus deodara followed the pattern as: Churdhar
forests > Kufri forests > Chail forests and for Pyrus pashia in Kufri forests > Chail forests > Sarahan forests. The thickness of forest litter
layer, microbial activity, available K and P content showed a trend: Kufri forest > Chail forest > Churdhar forest > Sarahan forest. The
thickness of forest litter layer and Organic C followed the trend as: E3 > E2 > E1. Among elevations, soil pH, bulk density, available N, P
and K content fell as E1 > E2 > E3. Maximum available N, soil EC and Bulk density was found in Chail forest. The pruning of oak trees
greatly opens the forest canopy leading to its degradation and a loss of associated biodiversity. Conservation would not be possible without
active participation of the local people and it can only be achieved by improving their living standards and giving benefits of conservation to
them. The present study provides relevant information on flora, natural regeneration, stand characteristics, live tree biomass, live tree C
stocks and total ecosystem carbon density stocks of ban Oak forests and this ecological knowledge is fundamental for conservation and
sustainable utilization of these forests.
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