Quantification and valuation of forest ecosystem services in the western Himalayan region of India

Abstract

In the western Himalayan region (Uttarakhand State in India), oak (Quercus leucotrichophora) and pine (Pinus roxburghii) are the two major forest ecosystems. Because of their difference in functionality, this study was aimed at the quantification and valuation of provisioning and regulating services provided by the oak and pine forests and to assess the importance to the local people in setting the forest conservation priorities. This study was carried out in 11 villages (665 households) using a structured questionnaire. The villages were situated in the vicinity of the oak and pine forests and covered a wide range of altitudes and human and livestock populations in the western Himalayan region. The study revealed that oak forests provide a greater variety of provisioning services as compared to pine forests. Provisioning services such as fuelwood, fodder, and natural fertilizers (leaf litter) provided by oak forests (Rs. 5676/person/year) were more valuable than those provided by pine forests (Rs. 4640/person/year). Stakeholder perceptions of the regulating services of oak forests, such as maintenance of soil fertility, soil moisture retention, prevention of soil erosion, air and water purification, was also more positive than for pine forests. However, more detailed quantitative studies on the ecosystem services of these forests are required to better understand their contribution to human well-being in the region and to design appropriate conservation strategies.