STUDIES ON MICRO-CLIMATIC VARIATIONS AND THEIR IMPACT ON FOREST ECOSYSTEMS IN MID HILLS OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
Loading...
Date
2016
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The present investigation entitled, “Studies on Micro-climatic Variations and their impact on Forest Ecosystems in Mid Hills of Himachal Pradesh” was carried out during winter and summer seasons of the year 2015-2016 under the Department of Environmental Science, College of Forestry, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh. A comparison of below forest canopy and open sites were carried out for abiotic and biotic factors under five forest ecosystems (chir pine forest, mixed forest, ban oak forest, agriculture field and bare area) and analysed the forest influence on seasonal weather during winter and summer seasons according to forest type, soil type, slope orientation, tree height and diameter at breast height. The interaction among forest ecosystems X seasons analysed highly significant microclimatic interactions among air temperature, soil temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, albedo and wind speed. Highly significant decrease in ambient temperature ranged from (2.5-5.0 oC), soil temperature (1.5-3.6oC) solar radiation (13.2-47.4 Wm-2), albedo (0.15-0.21) and increase in relative humidity ranged from (718%) and soil moisture (8.0-15.2%) were analysed among below forest canopy and bare area. The results analysed that ban oak forest had a greater moderating effect during both the season as compared to chir pine and mixed forest. The wind speed is most impacted by topography and slope.The forest ecosystem wise soil organic carbon and available K status followed the order of ban oak forest > mixed forest >chir pine forest > agriculture field > bare area. However the status of available N and P followed the order of agriculture field > ban oak forest > mixed forest >chir pine forest > bare area. Although the bulk density was observed highest in bare area (1.41g cm-3) and lowest was reported under ban oak forest (1.27g cm-3). The total microbial count and microbial biomass followed the trend of ban oak forest > mixed forest >chir pine forest > agriculture field > bare area. Thus, concluded that natural regeneration process of native species may respond most suitable under ban oak forest canopy.
Description
Keywords
Forest Ecosystems in Mid Hills of Himachal Pradesh,Micro-climatic Variations