Abstract
The present study assessed population structure, biomass, carbon stock, phytosociociological and regeneration status of a Central Himalayan cypress forest of India. A total of 36 plant species (07 trees, 08 shrubs and 21 herbs) were recorded from the study site. Total tree density ranged from 460 to 600 tree ha-1 and total basal area ranged from 19.11 to 58.20 m2 ha-1. The total biomass of trees across all the sites ranged between 178 and 431 t ha-1 while carbon stock ranged between 89.07 and 206 t ha-1. Cupressus torulosa was the only tree species showing fair regeneration at all the sites while most of the species were represented by seedling and sapling indicating new regeneration. Key words: Biomass, carbon stock, diversity, regeneration, vegetation structure.
Highlights
IntroductionCommonly known as Himalayan cypress is an evergreen conifer tree species distributed throughout the Himalayan region at elevations of 1800 to 2800 m (Shahni, 1990)
Total basal area of trees was higher at hill top (58.20 m2 ha-1) than at hill base (19.11 m2 ha-1) of which C. torulosa contributed from 70% to 100%
Phytosociological analysis of the present study indicate the dominance of C. torulosa at all three sites
Summary
Commonly known as Himalayan cypress is an evergreen conifer tree species distributed throughout the Himalayan region at elevations of 1800 to 2800 m (Shahni, 1990) It is an important species forming Himalayan moist temperate forest (12/E1) in the western Himalayan region and occurs as open forest of scattered trees on steep rocky ground with xerophytic shrubs and little grass (Champion and Seth, 1968). Cypress forest most frequently grows on limestone, which provides relatively dry soil conditions on limestone cliffs and shale, and occasionally on other rock types (Troup, 1921) This species generally occur in stands of varying extent, sometimes pure, sometimes associated with deodar (Cedrus deodara), spruce (Picea smithiana), silver fir (Abies pindrow), blue pine (Pinus wallichiana) or oaks (Quercus spp.). Of the different types of forest vegetation, the coniferous forests have played an important role in human culture as they have been the subject of various uses including folklore and mythology
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