Banj Oak Research Articles

Carbon Stock Estimation in Standing Tree of Chir Pine and Banj Oak Pure Forest in Two Van Panchayats Forest of Garhwal Himalaya

A study was conducted to measure carbon stock in two Van Panchayat forest of Garhwal Himalaya. For comparative study, we selected the degraded and non-degraded site in Pine and Oak Forest and estimated total carbon stock (above and below ground). Van Panchayat are managing the forest in Uttarakhand from British Period. The aim of the research was to estimate the tree density, tree diversity,biomass and carbon stocks in degraded and non-degraded sites in both forests for forest management through Van Panchayat. From this research, we found that non-degraded site contains maximum (Density, total biomass and carbon stock) as compared to degraded sites. This paper recommends the importance of forest management committee in Uttarakhand and the world. Community based small scale carbon sequestration can contribute to the solution of global climate change through carbon trading.

Altitudinal Variation in Species Composition and Soil Properties of Banj Oak and Chir Pine Dominated Forests

The study was carried out in two different forest types viz., Banj oak and Chir pine forests to assess the variation in forest species composition and soil properties along altitudinal gradients in the Garhwal Himalayas. The results of the study showed that between the forests soil moisture was higher in Banj oak forest because of closed canopy and dense forest compared to Chir pine forest. The sand particles were reported higher in Banj oak forest which might be due to the addition of organic matter favouring coarse structure of soil, helping in holding maximum water in soils. However in the Chir pine forest low amount of soil organic matter and presence of clayey soil, develops soil compactness which reduces the penetration of water resulting in high soil bulk density. The higher accumulation of litter and presence of moisture in Banj oak forest favours higher nutrient level of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compared to Chir pine forest. The soil organic carbon also reduced with increasing altitude at both gradients. While bulk density has reverse trend with soil organic carbon in both the forests at different peaks of same region. In Banj oak forest, the highest density and total basal cover was reported 1,100 tree <TEX>$ha^{-1}$</TEX> and 58.86 <TEX>$m^2\;ha^{-1}$</TEX> respectively. However, the highest values of density and total basal cover of Chir pine forest was 560 tree<TEX>$ha^{-1}$</TEX> and 56.94 <TEX>$m^2\;ha^{-1}$</TEX> respectively. The total density and basal cover of both the forests reduced with increasing altitude. The study concludes that Banj oak forest has better nutrient cycling ability, well developed foest floor and has a greater protective and productive features compared to the Chir pine forest which is without lower vegetation cover and having only pine litter accumulation which does not allow any other species to grow.

Seedling Mortality in Quercus Leucotrichophora A. Camus, Pinus Roxburghii D. Don and Shorea Robusta Gaertn Forest of Kumaun Himalaya, India.

The studies on plant demography hold a considerable significance in plant ecology. Natural regeneration of different plant species through seeds depend primarily upon seed production, germination capacity of seeds and successful establishment of seedling. Successful regeneration of tree species might be considered to be a function of three major components; ability to initiate new seedlings, ability of seedlings and saplings to survive and ability of seedlings and saplings to grow. Several environmental stresses are known to affect the seedling growth but water stress isbelieved to be a major one. The canopy density and soil conditions also affect the growth of seedling.This study comprises three study sites located at29o 22’ N latitudes and 79o 29’ E longitudes along an elevation transect of 350 – 2500 m in Kumaun Himalaya. This region has certain characteristic climatic features. Though it falls under sub-tropical latitude, the abrupt rise in mountains creates a temperature comparable to that of a temperate climate. The seedling dynamics were studied at sal forest, banj oak forest and chir pine forest. For the computation of seedling mortalityand other characteristics, 2x2m permanent quadrats wereestablished in sal, chir-pine and banj oak forest. A total of 12 quadrats were placed in the stand (3 quadrats in each site). To record the mortality of the seedlings, all the seedlings of the year 2008 present in twelve quadrats in each forest were tagged. Their mortality was observed monthly from January 2009 – December 2009. Results show that mortality was very low (20%) at sal forest as compared to banj oak forest (25%) and chir pine forest (35%). The chir pine forest was heavily affected by human disturbance. So the seedling population was more affected if compared to two other sites. Since the biotic stress was negligible there was very little mortality during the study period in banj oak and sal forest suggesting that if biotic stress and natural disturbance is minimum, the rapid regeneration of Q. leucotrichophora and S. robusta would be possible.Current study provides information on the seedling dynamics in three forests types in the Kumaun Himalaya. Results show seedling mortality was very low (20%) at sal forest if compared to banj oak forest (25%) and chir pine forest (35%) so the rapid regeneration of Q. leucotrichophora and S. robusta would be possible.

Influence of kinetin on in vitro rooting and survival of banj oak (Quercus leucotrichophora L.)

A study concerning the influence of cytokinins on shoot regeneration by using different stem segments derived from in vitro raised seedlings and their subsequent rooting was conducted in banj oak (Quercus leucotrichophora L.). Cytokinins play an important role in shoot regeneration and their multiplication. In the present study, cytokinins particularly kinetin (Kn) influenced in vitro rooting and subsequent survival of these in vitro raised plants in addition to shoot multiplication. It was found that the microshoots raised via kinetin treatment rooted very well (94.44%) without any basal callus formation in comparison to microshoots raised via other cytokinin treatments (that is, BA and 2-iP). In addition to this, these in vitro raised plants showed maximum survival rate (90%) during hardening process. On the basis of available literature this is a unique and significant study regarding the comparative effect of different cytokinins on in vitro propagation study of Q. leucotrichophora by using different stem segments, particularly the influence of kinetin in vitro rooting and survival of in vitro raised plants in addition to shoot multiplication. This significant study could be useful for large scale production of successfully hardened plants so that it would be helpful in conservation of this important Himalayan forest tree species.

Seasonal variations in species diversity, dry matter and net primary productivity of herb layer of Quercus leucotrichophora-Pinus roxburghii mixed forest in Kumaun Himalaya, India

Plant biomass, species diversity and net primary productivity are presented for herb layer of banj oak (Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus)-chir pine (Pinus roxburghii Sarg.) mixed forest in Kumaun, central Himalaya, India. The species diversity declined from a maximum (3.56) in September to a minimum (2.11) in December. The monthly live shoots biomass exhibited a single peak growth pattern with highest live shoot biomass of 185 g·m−2 in August. The seasonal pattern showed that the maximum above-ground production (131 g·m−2) occurred during the rainy season and the minimum (1 g·m−2) during winter season. The below-ground production was maximum during winter season (84 g·m−2) and minimum during summer season (34 g·m−2). The annual net shoot production was 171 g·m−2 and total below-ground production was 165 g·m−2. Of the total input 61% was channeled to above-ground parts and 39% to below-ground parts. Transfer of live shoots to dead shoots compartments and that of dead shoots to litter compartments was 61% and 66%, respectively. The total dry matter disappearance was 61% of the total input within annual cycle. The herb layer showed a net accumulation of organic matter, indicating the seral nature of the community.

Seed maturity indicators in Myrica esculenta, Buch-Ham. Ex. D.Don.: a multipurpose tree species of subtropical-temperate Himalayan region

Myrica esculenta, Buch-Ham. Ex. D.Don is a common under-canopy associate of chir pine and banj oak forests in the Kumaun and Garhwal Himalayas. The species commonly known as Kaiphal is a small moderate sized evergreen dioecious tree. The species is well known for its edible fruit and other by products and has emerged as a potential income generating species in the Kumaun and Garhwal region. The regeneration of Myrica esculenta is poor in natural habitats mainly due to intense anthropogenic pressure on it. To synchronize artificial regeneration of such species exact knowledge of maturity time is essential to avoid the collection of immature and non-viable seeds. Fruits of Myrica esculenta were collected from nine sites varying from lower, mid and high range of species distribution (900–2,100 masl) for assessing seed maturation indicators. Across all the sites the colour change from green to dark red/blackish red appears as one of the indicator of maturity. In addition to the colour change seed maturity and maximum germination was found in seeds when the weight of 100 fruits was between 41 and 60 g, fruit moisture content between 62 and 69% and seed moisture content between 30 and 32%.

Vegetation structure, composition and diversity in relation to the soil characteristics of temperate mixed broad-leaved forest along an altitudinal gradient in Garhwal Himalaya

The focus of the study is to characterize the structure, composition and diversity of Banj Oak ( Quercus leucotrichophora ) forests at different altitudes and slopes in Mandal-Chopta area of Garhwal Himalaya. Competing co-dominant tree layers comprised of Persea duthiei and D. himalense at the higher altitude (2100m a.s.l.) and steeper slope (45°); D. himalense and Betula alnoides at the middle altitude (1700m a.s.l.) and moderate slope (38°); and Lyonia ovalifolia and Myrica esculenta at lower altitude (1550m a.s.l.) and gentles slope (30°) were observed in these forests. Community diversity was highest (3.140) at the higher altitude (site-1) whereas the concentration of dominance followed the opposite trend of the diversity. Physico-chemical properties of soils have revealed that availability of higher average total nitrogen and moisture contents might have given birth to higher total basal cover values at middle altitude. The tree density was positively correlated with the tree diversity and tree richness (P<0.001). The vegetational parameters A/F ratio, Shanon-wiener index, Species richness, Margalef index and soil parameters especially pH and available phosphate (kg/ha) were significant (P<0.05%) among the forest sites.

A Comparison of Leaf Physiology and Anatomy of Two Himalayan Oaks in Response to Different Light Environments

Leaf physiological and anatomical attributes of seedlings of two Himalayan oaks grown in different light conditions were examined. Both species are stand forming with banj oak (Quercus leucotrichophora) dominating at elevations of 1400–2300 m whereas tilonj oak (Quercus floribunda) is common from 2100–2700 m altitudes. Both oaks are hypostomatous and have sclerophyllous leaves. While Q. leucotrichophora oak leaves were larger, those of Q. floribunda were thicker and more densely packed leaves. At the seedling stage, the points of Q. floribunda leaves are modified into spines apparently to reduce herbivory. Q. leucotrichophora leaves have a thick cuticle, and presence of stellate epidermal hair on the leaf undersurface to reduce transpiration. Quercus floribunda seedlings had anatomical traits consistent with more efficient use of light but lower water use efficiency. Contrary to prevailing belief, Q. floribunda leaves had a higher photosynthetic rate at all light levels and an exploitative strategy that enables it to utilize high moisture and light levels better than Q. leucotrichophora. The ability of Q. leucotrichophora to use water more conservatively is likely to allow it to colonize drier habitats. These observations correlate well with observations of growth and survival on the field.

Regeneration of Monodominant Stands of Banj Oak (Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus) on Abandoned Terraces in the Central Himalayas

Banj oak (Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus) is an important hardwood species of the Central Himalayas that is heavily used for fuelwood, fodder and as an agricultural mulch. Disturbed sites that create large canopy openings and exposed topsoil are widely reported to promote stands of chir pine (Pinus roxburghii Sarg.). However, under some circumstances, observations contradictory to these findings suggest that stands of banj oak can also originate after agricultural abandonment in this region. To investigate this, a chronosequence of agricultural terraces, that had been subjected to differing levels of post-abandonment disturbance (grazing, fuelwood, fodder and litter collection), were sampled to record changes in regeneration size and density of chir pine and banj oak. Regeneration and soils on the flat parts of the terraces were compared to that on the risers of the terraces. Banj oak density was found to be higher than chir pine on terraces under both high and low post-abandonment disturbance for the chronosequence. Banj oak was also found to predominate on the terrace risers. Oak diameter was negatively affected by increased disturbance, but height was not affected. Chir pine was found to grow equally well in terms of height, diameter and stem density on all parts of the terrace, with a preference for sites with high post-abandonment disturbance. The length of time since field abandonment had no effect on stem density for either species. No significant differences were detected in nitrogen and soil carbon status between the flats and the risers of the terraces. Soil moisture content was found to be higher on the risers of the terraces, with soils on the risers higher in clay content. Results from this study show that management practices used on fields while they are still under cultivation are the main agent responsible for the release of large numbers of banj oak seedlings and sprouts on the risers of the terraced fields. Terraced lands thus act as a nursery for the subsequent release and development of future stands dominated by banj oak. Widespread abandonment of property in the late 18th century due to war and epidemics may therefore have led to the formation of many of the old banj stands existing today.

Fine Root Productivity and Turnover in Two Evergreen Central Himalayan Forests

Fine root production and mortality in central Himalayan evergreen forests consisting of Quercus leucotrichophora (banj oak) and Pinus roxburghii (chir pine) were measured. Fine root production and mortality decreased with increasing soil depth. Annual fine root production was higher in the broadleafed forest than in the coniferous forest, across months and seasons (1.3 and 1.5-times more living and dead root biomass, respectively in banj oak than in chir pine). Live fine root production was 2508 kg ha−1year−1in chir pine forest and 3631 kg ha−1year−1in banj oak forest. Dead fine roots accumulated at a rate of 1197 and 1525 kg ha−1year−1in chir pine and in banj oak forest, respectively. In both forests, the greatest fine root production was recorded in the rainy season followed by summer and winter seasons. Both soil and root nitrogen concentration decreased with increasing soil depth. Nitrogen uptake was higher in banj oak forest (12.1 kg ha−1year−1) than chir pine forest (7.2 kg ha−1year−1).

Biodiversity status of a protected area in West Himalaya: Askot Wildlife Sanctuary

SUMMARY Biodiversity of a protected area of West Himalaya (Askot Wildlife Sanctuary) was studied and analysed for landscape, faunal and floral diversity. The forest and pasture land, ideal habitats for the flora and fauna, covered nearly 52% and 12%, respectively, of total reported area. Among the fauna Himalayan musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster), thar (Himitragus jemlahicus), snow leopard (Panthera uncia), koklas (Pucrassia macrolophas), monal (Lophophorus impejanus) and snow cock (Tetragalus tibetanus) are threatened species. Plant diversity is represented by 1262 species of vascular plants (Angiosperm 1112, Gymnosperm 7, Pteridophytes 143 taxa). Diversity of the species within families, genera, habitats, communities and along vertical gradient zone was analysed. Maximum diversity existed in the family Orchidaceae (120 taxa), genera Polystichum (13 taxa), altitude zone (1001–2000 m; 860 taxa), habitat (forest; 623 taxa) and community (Banj oak: 92 taxa). Seventy-one families were found to be monotypic. Species were further analysed for ethnobotanical use (medicine: 70, edible: 55, fodder: 115, fuel: 31, house building: 13 etc.), domesticated diversity (crops: 19, vegetables: 26, fruits: 16), agroforestry or marginal, threatened and endemic diversity. Similarity in species composition within the habitats indicated maximum similarity in areas of shrubberies and alpine meadows/ slopes (71.65%) and exposed open/grassy slopes and shady moist places (47.32%). 432 (34.2%) taxa are native to Indian Himalaya of which 24 are endemic and 235 are near endemics. 65.8% of taxa are represented in the neighbouring areas and other regions of the globe. Ten taxa occurring in the Sanctuary have been already recorded in the Red Data Book of Indian Plants. Conservation and management of species is focused.

Regeneration of banj oak (Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus) in the central Himalaya

Banj oak (Quercus leucotrichophora) is the most common broadleaf tree in the mid-elevational central Himalaya in India. Past studies on this tree have reported that regeneration is sparse to absent promoting speculation that this species will soon be replaced by others. A study of banj forests was carried out in three areas of the central Himalaya in forests under different tenurial and disturbance regimes. An average of 1400 seedlings ha −1 were found on the study sites, indicating that regeneration was not as low as has been previously reported. In sanctuary forests (state preserves), which were well protected from grazing and lopping, the seedling number averaged only 510 seedlings ha −1. The high tree basal area (36 m 2 ha −1) and dense canopy of these forests does not promote the satisfactory establishment of oak in the understory. Previous studies on this oak species in sanctuary forests have also concluded that regeneration was poor but do not cite inadequate light in the understory as a factor influencing regeneration establishment. Moderate disturbance appears to benefit regeneration. In private (small landowner) and reserve forests (state forests) over 2000 seedlings ha −1 were observed. Banj seedling number varied inversely with the number of adult banj oak. Canopy cover was an important variable. Seedlings in open stands had a lower height/diameter ratio and had more leaves per stem height. Soil carbon content over the three areas varied between 1.9% in an area where litter removal was practised and 4.0% in an undisturbed area, but this did not influence seedling number.

Seasonal pattern of total soil respiration in undisturbed and disturbed ecosystems of Central Himalaya

The rates of CO2 efflux were measured by an alkali absorption method (using 20 ml 0.5 N NaOH) from soils in four undisturbed sites [two evergreen oak forests, Quercus floribunda Lindl. (tilonj oak), Quercus leucotrichophora A Camus (banj oak), and two evergreen conifer forests, Cedrus deodara Loud. (deodar forest) and Pinus roxburghii Sarg. (chir pine forest)] and three disturbed sites. The sites were located between elevations of 1850 and 2360 m in the Central Himalaya. The seasonal pattern of soil respiration was similar in all the sites with a maximum during the rainy season, intermediate rates during the summer season and the lowest level of activity in winter. The rate of CO2 efflux was higher in broadleaf than in conifer forests, and it was lowest in the disturbed sites. Among the edaphic conditions, soil moisture, N, organic C, pH, soil porosity, and root biomass positively affected total soil respiration. The proportion of root respiration to total soil respiration was higher in the disturbed sites than the undisturbed sites in winter. Conditions in the winter season were less favourable for microbial respiration than for root respiration.

Seed germination ofQuercus leucotrichophora A. Camus. ex. Bahadur andPinus roxburghii Sarg. on certain single factor environmental gradients

The seed dry weight ofQuercus leucotrichophora A. Camus. ex. Bahadur (banj oak) were much larger than the seeds ofPinus roxburghii Sarg. (chir pine) (1463 and 87 mg per seed). The responses of chir pine, an early successional species, and banj oak, a late successional species were compared in terms of seed germination. Seed germination was observed on single factor gradients of temperature, water stress, seed desiccation and light qualities. The suppression of germination caused by continuous dark and far-red was greater for chir pine than in banj oak. Compared with banj oak, chir pine seed germination showed wider response breadth on gradients of water stress and seed desiccation and narrower response breadth on the gradient of light quality.

Response Breadths on Environmental Gradients of Germination and Seedling Growth in Two Dominant Forest Tree Species of Central Himalaya

The responses of Pimis roxburghii (chir pine), an early successional species, andQuercus leucotrichophora(banj oak), a late successional species were compared in terms of seed germination and seedling growth. Seed germination was observed on single-factor gradients of temperature, water stress, seed desiccation and light, and seedling growth on gradients of shade and soil moisture. The suppression of germination caused by continuous dark and far-red was greater in Pinus than in Quercus. Pinus seed germination showed wider response breadth on gradients of water stress and seed desiccation, and narrower response breadth on the gradient of light quality, compared withQuercus. In terms of seedling growth, the response breadth of Pinus was wider on the gradient of soil moisture and narrower on the gradient of shade compared with Quercus. Under higher soil moisture stress, the seedlings of both species attained similar heights, butQuercus seedlings achieved higher dry weights, a higher root: shoot ratio and lower leaf weight ratio than Pinus.