Effect of altitudes and aspects on carbon sequestration potential of Quercus floribunda forests of Garhwal Himalayas
Loading...
Date
2022
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
College of Forestry, Ranichauri Campus, V.C.S.G. Uttarakhand University of Horticulture and Forestry
Abstract
The present study was conducted to estimate the carbon sequestration potential of Quercus floribunda forest at two different aspect (Southern and Northern) and three altitudes (i.e.2100-2300m, 2300-2500m and 2500-2700m asl) in Surkanda region of Tehri Garhwal district (Uttarakhand). For the estimation of stand density, IVI, tree biomass, 10*10m quadrates were laid out at elevational gradient in both aspects soil sample from 0-10cm, 10-20cm and 20-30cm were collected for each sample plots. In this study Q. floribunda was the dominating tree species of all altitude at both aspect with the IVI value of (161.14) in southern aspect and (124.96) in northern aspect. At upper altitude (2500-2700 m) of southern and northern aspect AGBD, BGBD, TBD, TCD showed highest values whereas lower altitude (2100-2300 m) showed lowest value which were increased with increasing altitudinal range. In northern aspect values of AGBD (476.943<575.263)mg/ha, BGBD (124.469<148.768)mg/ha, TBD (601.412<724.031)mg/ha, TCD (300.706<362.016)mg/ha were higher than southern aspect. The values of AGBD, BGBD, TBD, TCD was reported maximum (637.749, 162.647, 800.397, 400.198) in upper elevation as compared to lower altitudes. Soil organic carbon, soil organic matter, soil organic carbon stock decreased with increasing altitude and depth which were found higher in southern aspect. Bulk density and phosphorous (P) increases with altitude and depth however bulk density was equal (1.29 g cc-1) in both aspect whereas P was also found higher (31.43Kg/ha) in southern aspect. Available nitrogen was recorded highest (3.98 kg/ha) in northern aspect at middle altitude and minimum (2.36kg/ha) at lower altitude. The available potassium was highest in northern aspect and lowest in southern aspect. At lower altitude, available potassium ranges between (2.46-6.15kg/ha) and at upper elevation it ranges between 1.56-3.69 kg/ha. Soil pH was found slightly acidic in all the sites ranges from 4.91 to 5.74 in different soil depths. Dehydrogenase activity (µg/g/h) was ranged between (1.35-8.74 µg/g/h) from lower to upper soil depth and found decreased with increasing in soil depth and increases with altitude whereas found highest in southern aspect.
Description
M.Sc. Forestry