Dr. Praveen KumarJATIN JAGTU2024-04-102024-04-102023-12-05https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810208252The present study entitled “Dynamics of understorey vegetation biomass along the altitudinal gradient and dominant overstorey composition types in temperate region of Himachal Pradesh” was carried out with the main objective to determine the pattern of understorey vegetation biomass production and soil nutrients availability along the altitudinal gradients and dominant overstory types in the temperate Himalayan region. Biomass of the total and individual understorey vegetation components differed significantly along the altitudinal gradients and among different overstorey type with a significant interaction effects of altitude and overstorey types. Across all altitudinal gradients and dominant overstorey composition types, total, woody, herbaceous and bryophytes biomass was on average 4.36, 3.29, 0.95 and 0.12 Mg ha−1, respectively. Total, woody, herbaceous and bryophytes understorey vegetation biomass increased linearly from lower to middle elevation zones and decreased thereafter at higher elevations, and was found to be highest at middle altitudes. Soil available nutrients also followed the similar trends to that of total understorey vegetation biomass production. Therefore the management intervention should aim on prioritizing the conservation efforts towards the middle elevation zones in the temperate Himalayan Region. Among the different overstorey composition types, total, woody and herbaceous biomass production was highest under broadleaved stands and lowest under coniferous stands. However, the bryophytes biomass was found to be higher under coniferous stands. However, the soil available nutrients were found to be highest under the mixedwood stands flowed by broadleaved and coniferous stands. Therefore, in order to increase the biomass production and ecological functions of temperate Himalayan region, the management interventions should aim at maintaining diverse range of overstory composition types. The study also found the positive correlation between soil nutrients availability and understorey vegetation biomass production, and thus highlighted, the importance of soil available nutrients in influencing the plant productivity and ecosystem functions of temperate Himalayan region.EnglishThesis