Structure and functioning of Coriaria nepalensis dominated shrublands in degraded hills of Kumaun Himalaya. I. Dry matter dynamics

Abstract

AbstractIn Kumaun Himalaya, the shrublands dominated by Coriaria nepalensis are present in patches and due to their facilitative nature enhance the restoration of degraded hills. This study deals with the dry matter dynamics of C. nepalensis shrublands. The equation for C. nepalensis was developed to measure the biomass and to understand the dry matter dynamics through compartmental models. Total biomass of tree, shrub and herb varied from 71.66 to 217.40 t ha−1, 43.65 to 77.55 t ha−1 and 11.11 to 64.55 t ha−1, respectively. The biomass of herbs was higher during monsoon and lowest during the summer season. Litter fall varied from 1.02–1.70 t ha−1 yr−1 and the highest value of litter fall was recorded during winter (52%) followed by rainy (29%) and summer season (19%). Order of contribution of different components to total litter fall was: foliage (45.32%–50.33%) > twigs (36.80%–42.22%) > miscellaneous litter (4.62%–6.97%) > Bark (3.56%–5.47%) > reproductive parts (2.13%–3.57%). Shrub floor biomass was recorded maximum during the rainy season (11.32–37.55 t ha−1) followed by the winter season (13.03–25.36 t ha−1) and minimum in the summer season (6.83–12.80 t ha−1). Net primary productivity in trees, shrubs and sapling was ranged from 0.94 to 11.01, 1.83 to 4.88 and 0.55 to 0.87, respectively. Due to less canopy cover, the litter fall was less than from the majority of the forest types of the region. Thus, proper conservation and management measures must be designed to improve the structural components and functional traits of the shrubland ecosystem to enhance the ecological services on sustained basis.