Singh, VirNautiyal, Nanda2016-08-122016-08-122013-01http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/72412Thesis-PhDStudy was conducted in three different watersheds (Kosi, Pindar and Alaknanda) of the Indian Central Himalayas. More uncultivated land area was recorded in the agro-ecological response units (ARUs) of the watersheds than cultivated land. Cultivated land was found having more area under rainfed agriculture. Bulk density was recorded higher in rangeland soils than in cultivated soils in all the three watersheds. Soil pH was observed acidic in all the ARUs of the watersheds. Soil moisture, SOC, SOM, TN and SCS were recorded higher during autumn season in all the ARUs followed by winter season and the lowest values were recorded in summer season. No trend was observed for the available phosphorous and potassium content in the soils. Electrical conductivity was found minimum during winter season and maximum during summer season. Carbon mitigation potential was recorded to be highest in the Kosi watershed and lowest in the Pindar watershed. Forest carbon stock was estimated in oak and pine forests of the watersheds and it was found maximum in oak forests generating more revenue for the community. Climate resilient strategies could be evolved on the basis of perfect combination and management of available potential resources within the agro-ecosystem, viz. common property resources, livestock resources, community based farming, and landraces. Perfect strategies like ILMS are needed to conserve and manage the sustainability of the agro-ecosystem, thus fostering the processes vital for operationalising sustainability in the mountain ecosystem.enecosystems, Himalayas, mountains, rangelands, climate change, environmental protection, agroforestry, resilence, carbonThesis