Abstract

This study pertains to the density-diameter (d-d) curves, diameter class distribution of dominant species and protective value of temperate forests between 2000 and 3300 m amsl in Pinder catchment of the Central Himalaya. The identified forests were mixed deciduous-evergreen, alder (Alnus nepalensis), mixed evergreen-deciduous, maple (Acer cappadocium), burans (Rhododendron arboreum), silver-fir (Abies pindrow), kharsu oak (Quercus semecarpifolia)and birch (Betula utilis).The d-d curve was inverse curvilinear for all species in the entire study area. The curve assumed an inverse curvilinear slope for the stands of smaller mean diameter, linear for the stands of intermediate mean diameter and bell shaped for the stands of larger mean diameter. The curves for burans, kharsu oak and alder, mixed and silver-fir, and birch forests were slightly convex, bell shaped, curvilinear, straight line and linear, respectively. Two light demanding species, Q. semecarpifoliaand Aesculus indicahave been experiencing regeneration problem, whereas the other two light demanding species, A. nepaiensisand B. utilisexhibited moderate regeneration. Shade tolerant A. pindrow, A. cappado-ciumand R. arboreumexhibited satisfactory regeneration, but conversion of seedlings into trees was not satisfactory for A. pindrow.The relative protective value of 5 different forests was in the order: silver fir > kharsu oak > mixed deciduous-evergreen > mixed evergreen-deciduous > birch.

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