Warm-temperate Forest Research Articles

Relationship between fine-root exudation and respiration of two Quercus species in a Japanese temperate forest.

Plants allocate a considerable amount of carbon (C) to fine roots as respiration and exudation. Fine-root exudation could stimulate microbial activity, which further contributes to soil heterotrophic respiration. Although both root respiration and exudation are important components of belowground C cycling, how they relate to each other is less well known. In this study, we aimed to explore this relationship on mature trees growing in the field. The measurements were performed on two canopy species, Quercus serrata Thunb. and Quercus glauca, in a warm temperate forest. The respiration and exudation rates of the same fine-root segment were measured in parallel with a syringe-basis incubation and a closed static chamber, respectively. We also measured root traits and ectomycorrhizal colonization ratio because these indexes commonly relate to root respiration and reflect root physiology. The microbial activity enhanced by root exudation was investigated by comparing the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) between rhizosphere soils and bulk soils. Mean DOC concentration and MBC were ca two times higher in the rhizosphere soils and positively related to exudation rates, indicating that exudation further relates to the C dynamics in the soils. Flux rates of exudation and respiration were positively correlated with each other. Both root exudation and respiration rates positively related to ectomycorrhizal colonization and root tissue nitrogen, and therefore the relationship between the two fluxes may be attributed to fine-root activity. The flux rates of root respiration were 8.7 and 10.5 times as much as those of exudation on a root-length basis and a root-weight basis, respectively. In spite of the fact that flux rates of respiration and exudation varied enormously among the fine-root segments of the two Quercus species, exudation was in proportion to respiration. This result gives new insight into the fine-root C-allocation strategy and the belowground C dynamics.

Root‐exudate flux variations among four co‐existing canopy species in a temperate forest, Japan

AbstractPlants allocate carbon to root exudates to mine nitrogen (N) from soil organic matter (SOM). Little is known about how the root‐exudation rate varies among co‐existing woody species. We conducted an in situ experiment in a warm temperate forest on two dominant species, Quercus serrata and Ilex pedunculosa, and two of their congeneric species, Quercus glauca and Ilex macropoda, respectively. We hypothesized that the root‐exudation rate varies among these species because of their distinct functional traits and N demands. Root‐exudation rates were measured using a non‐soil culture method during the growing season from June 2013 to May 2014. We also measured foliar N concentrations and the activities of N‐degrading enzymes in the rhizosphere soils. The annual demand for N was calculated from the growth rate and allometric equations for biomass. The root‐exudation rates of Q. serrata and I. macropoda were consistently greater than those of their congeneric evergreen species on root‐length, root‐weight, and individual‐tree bases. The variations of the annual N demand of these species mirrored this pattern. Within a species, root‐exudation rates correlated positively to leaf N contents, suggesting a physiological linkage between photosynthetic capacities and belowground carbon allocation. Root‐exudation rates also correlated positively to the activities of polyphenol oxidase, an enzyme that decomposes N from recalcitrant SOM. Our results suggest that the variations of the root‐exudation among co‐existing species relate to their functional traits and demand for N.

Altitudinal zonation and structure of warm-temperate forests on Mikura-jima Island, Izu Islands, Japan

Altitudinal zonation and structure of warm-temperate forests on Mikura-jima Island, Izu Islands, Japan

Effects of time and environmental conditions on the quality of DNA extracted from fecal samples for genotyping of wild deer in a warm temperate broad-leaved forest

Extraction of DNA from non-invasive samples (feces) has been used increasingly in genetic research on wildlife. For effective and reliable genetic analyses, knowledge about which samples should be selected in the field is essential. For this reason, we examined the process of DNA degradation in feces of deer. We collected fresh fecal pellets from three wild deer living in a warm temperate forest. We then assessed the effects of time (3, 5, and 10 days) under three environmental conditions (on the forest floor, on exposed ground, and inside the laboratory) on the rates of correct genotyping (CG), amplification failure (NA), genotyping error among positive amplification (ER), false alleles (FA), and allelic dropout (AD) of 15 microsatellite loci. The rate of CG significantly decreased, and those of NA and FA increased with increasing lapse of time. Rates of CG tended to be highest and those of NA, ER, FA, and AD to be lowest in feces kept inside, followed by those on the forest floor. Suitability of samples for DNA extraction was lowest in fecal pellets left on exposed ground, and we suspect that rain may hasten DNA degradation. NA rate could serve as a reliable indicator of the quality of fecal pellets because it was significantly positively correlated with ER rate. For efficient genetic analyses using deer feces in warm temperate zones, we recommend collecting fecal pellets within 3 days of defecation, during periods without rainfall and from under the cover of trees.

Sustained acceleration of soil carbon decomposition observed in a 6-year warming experiment in a warm-temperate forest in southern Japan.

To examine global warming’s effect on soil organic carbon (SOC) decomposition in Asian monsoon forests, we conducted a soil warming experiment with a multichannel automated chamber system in a 55-year-old warm-temperate evergreen broadleaved forest in southern Japan. We established three treatments: control chambers for total soil respiration, trenched chambers for heterotrophic respiration (Rh), and warmed trenched chambers to examine warming effect on Rh. The soil was warmed with an infrared heater above each chamber to increase soil temperature at 5 cm depth by about 2.5 °C. The warming treatment lasted from January 2009 to the end of 2014. The annual warming effect on Rh (an increase per °C) ranged from 7.1 to17.8% °C−1. Although the warming effect varied among the years, it averaged 9.4% °C−1 over 6 years, which was close to the value of 10.1 to 10.9% °C−1 that we calculated using the annual temperature–efflux response model of Lloyd and Taylor. The interannual warming effect was positively related to the total precipitation in the summer period, indicating that summer precipitation and the resulting soil moisture level also strongly influenced the soil warming effect in this forest.

Changes in soil microbial community and activity in warm temperate forests invaded by moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens)

In the past few decades, moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) forests in Japan have rapidly expanded, and moso bamboo is now invading nearby native forests. In this study, we assessed the effects of moso bamboo invasion on the soil microbial community and activity in warm temperate forests in western Japan. We sampled soil, measured soil microbial respiration, and used phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis to examine changes in microbial community composition. We found that the invasion of bamboo into the native secondary forest of Japan can cause changes to some soil properties. We also observed a significant difference in soil microbial community composition between the bamboo and native forests. The ratio of bacterial PLFA to fungal PLFA was significantly higher after bamboo invasion, while bacterial PLFA contents were significantly lower in the organic layer. Soil microbial respiration rates significantly decreased in the organic layer, and significantly increased in the mineral layer. Microbial respiration activity, as indicated by soil microbial respiration rates per total PLFA content, decreased in the organic layer but increased in the mineral layer after bamboo invasion. These results indicate that bamboo invasion significantly affects associated soil microbial communities and decomposition patterns of soil organic matter.

Effects of experimental throughfall reduction and soil warming on fine root biomass and its decomposition in a warm temperate oak forest

Fine root dynamics play a critical role in regulating carbon (C) cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. Examining responses of fine root biomass and its decomposition to altered precipitation pattern and climate warming is crucial to understand terrestrial C dynamics and its feedback to climate change. Fine root biomass and its decomposition rate were investigated in a warm temperate oak forest through a field manipulation experiment with throughfall reduction and soil warming conducted. Throughfall reduction significantly interacted with soil warming in affecting fine root biomass and its decomposition. Throughfall reduction substantially increased fine root biomass and its decomposition in unheated plots, but negative effects occurred in warmed plots. Soil warming significantly enhanced fine root biomass and its decomposition under ambient precipitation, but the opposite effects exhibited under throughfall reduction. Different responses in fine root biomass among different treatments could be largely attributed to soil total nitrogen (N), while fine root decomposition rate was more depended on microbial biomass C and N. Our observations indicate that decreased precipitation may offset the positive effect of soil warming on fine root biomass and decomposition.

Settling moths as potential pollinators of Uncaria rhynchophylla (Rubiaceae)

Nocturnal pollinators such as moths have received less attention than diurnal insects. To elucidate whether nocturnal moths are important pollinators, we observed both the diurnal and nocturnal visitors to the flowers of Uncaria rhynchophylla (Rubiaceae) in a warm-temperate forest in central Japan. The diurnal visitors included various taxonomic groups (e.g., bees, hoverflies and butterflies). The nocturnal visitors were exclusively moths (Geometridae, Erebidae, Noctuidae and Crambidae). Pollen grains of U. rhynchophylla were attached to both diurnal and nocturnal visitors. Although diurnal flower visitors carried pollen grains of other plant species, nocturnal moths did not carry heterospecific pollen grains. These results suggest that nocturnal moths, as well as diurnal insects, are important pollinators of U. rhynchophylla.

Frugivore assemblage of Ficus superba in a warm-temperate forest in Yakushima, Japan

Understanding fig consumption patterns is important because figs are regarded as a keystone resource for many frugivorous species in the tropics. While much work on fig consumption has been conducted in tropical regions, temperate forests are particularly interesting for study owing to pronounced seasonal variations in temperature and community-level fruiting phenology. We studied frugivore consumption of Ficus superba (Miq.) Miq. var. japonica Miq syconia in a warm-temperate forest in Yakushima, southern Japan. We conducted 141 4-h focal observations of fruiting F. superba trees over 12 months. We aimed to assess the relative quantitative contribution of each species of frugivore to F. superba consumption over a year as well as factors affecting seasonal variation in consumption. Japanese macaques were by far the most important F. superba syconia consumer (87.6 %), followed by brown-eared bulbuls (5.0 %), and varied tits (4.2 %). Japanese macaques increased their F. superba consumption when the temperature was high and fruit availability (F. superba and other species) was low. Macaques seemed to avoid searching for rare F. superba trees during winter and used F. superba syconia as a fallback food during fruit scarcity. Birds showed the opposite pattern: they increased F. superba syconia consumption when the temperature was low and fruit availability was high. This was probably because birds eat insects as their main food in the summer and switch to fruit as autumn turns to winter.

Investigating distribution pattern of species in a warm-temperate conifer-broadleaved-mixed forest in China for sustainably utilizing forest and soils

The maintaining mechanisms and potential ecological processes of species diversity in warm temperate- conifer-broadleaved-mixed forest are far from clear understanding. In this paper, the relative neighborhood density Ω was used to analyze the spatial distribution patterns of 34 species with ≥11 individuals in a warm- temperate-conifer-broadleaved-mixed forest, northern China. Then we used canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) and Torus-translation test (TTT) to explain the distribution of observed species. Our results show that aggregated distribution is the dominant pattern in warm-temperate natural forest and four species regular distribution at the spatial scale >30m. The aggregated percentage and intensity decline with spatial scale, abundance and size classes increasing. Rare species are aggregated more than intermediate and abundant species. These results prove sufficiently the effects existence of scale separation, self-thinning and Janzen-Connell hypothesis. In addition, functional traits (dispersal modes and shade tolerance) also have a significant influence on distribution of species. The results of CCA confirm that slope and convexity are the most important factors affecting the distribution of tree species distribution, elevation and slope of shrub species though the combination of topographic variables only explained 1% of distribution of tree species and 2% of shrub species. Most species don't have habitat preference; however 47.1% (16/34) species including absolutely dominant tree (Pinus tabulaeformis and Quercus wutaishanica) and shrub species (Rosa xanthina) and most other species with important value in the front, are strongly positively or negatively associated with at least one habitat. The valley and ridge are most distinct habitat with association of 12 species in the plot. However, high elevation slope with 257 quadrats is the most extensive habitat with only four species. Therefore, there is obvious evidence that habitat heterogeneity play an important role on shaping spatial distribution of species in warm temperate forest. Our research results provide significant evidence that dispersal limitation and habitat heterogeneity have a contribution jointly to regulating the spatial distribution pattern of species in warm-temperate-forest in China.

How do changes in forest stand development affect frugivorous bird abundance and fruit removal in warm-temperate forests of western Japan?

To better understand how plant–frugivore interactions change in relation to forest stand development, we investigated the abundance and species composition of frugivorous bird assemblages, and their fruit removal over several years in three warm-temperate forest stands. All stands were located in an urban forested area of western Japan, and each was at a different developmental stage: a secondary deciduous broad-leaved forest stand (DB), an evergreen broad-leaved forest stand where an evergreen oak became dominant recently (EB-I), and a well-developed evergreen broad-leaved forest stand (EB-II). Although the species richness and Shannon diversity indices of frugivorous birds did not vary among the three stands, the abundance of birds was almost always greatest in the EB-II stand, lowest in the DB stand, and intermediate in the EB-I stand. Generalized linear mixed model analyses using data on monthly fruit availability and the number of frugivorous birds observed in censuses showed that forest stand differences had a significant effect on the abundance of frugivorous birds, whereas fruit availability had no significant positive influence on bird abundance. Fruit removal was most intensive in the EB-II stand, where both fruit and bird abundance were highest, followed by the EB-I stand, where bird abundance was intermediate but fruit abundance was lowest. Our study demonstrates that increasing structural complexity during forest stand development likely had positive effects on the abundance of frugivorous birds, which in turn influenced fruit removal in this urban forested area. Hence, a positive feedback mechanism of plant–bird interactions would exist for the development of forest stands.

Phylogeography of East Asian Lespedeza buergeri (Fabaceae) based on chloroplast and nuclear ribosomal DNA sequence variations.

The dynamic changes in land configuration during the Quaternary that were accompanied by climatic oscillations have significantly influenced the current distribution and genetic structure of warm-temperate forests in East Asia. Although recent surveys have been conducted, the historical migration of forest species via land bridges and, especially, the origins of Korean populations remains conjectural. Here, we reveal the genetic structure of Lespedeza buergeri, a warm-temperate shrub that is disjunctively distributed around the East China Sea (ECS) at China, Korea, and Japan. Two non-coding regions (rpl32-trnL, psbA-trnH) of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) and the internal transcribed spacer of nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrITS) were analyzed for 188 individuals from 16 populations, which covered almost all of its distribution. The nrITS data demonstrated a genetic structure that followed geographic boundaries. This examination utilized AMOVA, comparisons of genetic differentiation based on haplotype frequency/genetic mutations among haplotypes, and Mantel tests. However, the cpDNA data showed contrasting genetic pattern, implying that this difference was due to a slower mutation rate in cpDNA than in nrITS. These results indicated frequent migration by this species via an ECS land bridge during the early Pleistocene that then tapered gradually toward the late Pleistocene. A genetic isolation between western and eastern Japan coincided with broad consensus that was suggested by the presence of other warm-temperate plants in that country. For Korean populations, high genetic diversity indicated the existence of refugia during the Last Glacial Maximum on the Korean Peninsula. However, their closeness with western Japanese populations at the level of haplotype clade implied that gene flow from western Japanese refugia was possible until post-glacial processing occurred through the Korea/Tsushima Strait land bridge.

Oviposition site selection by Japanese gypsy moth (Lymatria dispar japonica) in a warm-temperate secondary forest in western Japan

The larvae of Japanese gypsy moth (JGM, Lymantria dispar japonica) are highly polyphagous and considered a serious pest that cause significant ecological and economic losses in forests. Monitoring of egg masses is important to prevent large outbreaks of JGM from occurring in their native range. To investigate oviposition site selection by JGM, we analyzed the occurrence and spatial distribution of egg masses across various evergreen tree species within a secondary forest dominated by evergreen broad-leaved trees in western Japan, following a large outbreak. Egg masses were concentrated on the abaxial surfaces of the leaves of a few evergreen tree species. There was a strong preference for Camellia japonica L., on which more than 75% of the egg masses were found. Egg masses were only found on evergreen tree species with large leaves (leaf area >10 cm2 and leaf dry mass >0.1 g). The spatial distribution of egg masses were clustered at scales around 1‒2 m. For effective monitoring of JGM egg masses in warm-temperate evergreen broad-leaved forests of Japan, the abaxial surfaces of the most abundant evergreen broadleaved trees with large leaves should be checked. If egg masses are found, it is likely that nearby trees of the same species will also have egg masses. Large trees should be checked thoroughly for occurrence of multiple egg masses.

Distribution of Petrosavia sakuraii (Petrosaviaceae), a rare mycoheterotrophic plant, may be determined by the abundance of its mycobionts.

Petrosavia sakuraii (Petrosaviaceae) is a rare, mycoheterotrophic plant species that has a specific symbiotic interaction with a narrow clade of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that the distribution and abundance of mycobionts in two P. sakuraii habitats, Nagiso and Sengenyama (central Honshu, Japan), determine the distribution pattern of this rare plant. Nagiso is a thriving habitat with hundreds of P. sakuraii individuals per 100m(2), whereas Sengenyama is a sparsely populated habitat with fewer than 10 individuals per 100m(2). AM fungal communities associated with tree roots were compared at 20-cm distances from P. sakuraii shoots between the two habitats by molecular identification of AM fungal partial sequences of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene. The percentage of AM fungal sequences showing over 99% identity with those of the dominant P. sakuraii mycobionts was high (54.9%) in Nagiso, but low (13.2%) in Sengenyama. Accordingly, the abundance of P. sakuraii seems to reflect the proportion of potential mycobionts. It is likely that P. sakuraii mycobionts are not rare in Japanese warm temperate forests since 11.2% of AM fungal sequences previously obtained from a deciduous broad-leaved forest devoid of P. sakuraii in Mizuho, central Honshu, Japan, were >99% identical to those of the dominant P. sakuraii mycobionts. Thus, results suggest that the abundant mycobionts may be required for sufficient propagation of P. sakuraii, and this quantitative trait of AM fungal communities required for P. sakuraii may explain the rarity of this plant.

Terrestrial biosphere changes over the last 120 kyr

Abstract. A new global synthesis and biomization of long (> 40 kyr) pollen-data records is presented and used with simulations from the HadCM3 and FAMOUS climate models and the BIOME4 vegetation model to analyse the dynamics of the global terrestrial biosphere and carbon storage over the last glacial–interglacial cycle. Simulated biome distributions using BIOME4 driven by HadCM3 and FAMOUS at the global scale over time generally agree well with those inferred from pollen data. Global average areas of grassland and dry shrubland, desert, and tundra biomes show large-scale increases during the Last Glacial Maximum, between ca. 64 and 74 ka BP and cool substages of Marine Isotope Stage 5, at the expense of the tropical forest, warm-temperate forest, and temperate forest biomes. These changes are reflected in BIOME4 simulations of global net primary productivity, showing good agreement between the two models. Such changes are likely to affect terrestrial carbon storage, which in turn influences the stable carbon isotopic composition of seawater as terrestrial carbon is depleted in 13C.

Seasonal change of species composition in fungal endophyte community of Abies firma needles in a warm-temperate forest on the Boso Peninsula

Seasonal change of species composition in fungal endophyte community of <i>Abies firma</i> needles in a warm-temperate forest on the Boso Peninsula

Thematic monitoring network of soil fauna diversity in China: exploring the mystery of soils

The important roles of soil fauna diversity and associated indicative functions of environment changes have received increasing attention from both academic circles and government decision makers. This paper summarizes the current situation of soil fauna monitoring in developed countries and related work in China. We introduce the objectives and structure of the thematic monitoring network of soil fauna diversity (TMNSFD), and highlighted some aspects that need attention. The TMNSFD proposed to establish permanent monitoring plots within forest plots established by Chinese Forest Biodiversity Monitoring Network for moni- toring soil fauna including earthworms, mites, springtails, nematodes and protists. During the years 2016-2020, TMNSFD may choose typical forest ecosystems as priority ecosystems for soil fauna monitoring, which cover temperate forest ecosystems (including broadleaved Korean pine mixed forests in Changbaishan, Jilin Province and warm temperate deciduous broadleaved forests in Donglingshan, Beijing), subtropical forest ecosystems (including typical subtropical evergreen broadleaved forests in Gutianshan, Zhejiang Province, lower subtropi- cal evergreen broadleaved forests in Dinghushan, Guangdong Province, and north subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests in Dujiangyan, Sichuan Province), tropical forest ecosystems (tropical rainforests in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province and Jianfengling, Hainan Province), as well as mountainous dark conifer- ous forests in Liziping, Sichuan Province. By 2030, TMNSFD soil fauna monitoring plots may cover various ecosystems including forests, grasslands, wetlands, deserts, farmland, urban areas and other typical ecosys- tems in different regions of China. TMNSFD emphasizes the value of applied molecular biology technology, unified monitoring methods, and manipulation experiments to simulate the effects of global change on soil fauna during the processes of monitoring. We propose monitoring soil fauna diversity once every 5 years in established monitoring plots. The objective of TMNSFD is to provide reliable and integrated data of soil fauna diversity via the establishment of standard monitoring methods and a data-sharing network at the na- tional level, which could support the development of ecological civilization in China. •生物多样性监测网络专题•

Defining Holdridge's life zones over Turkey

This study is proposing a classification for the Holdridge's life zones associated with the surface climatic variables over Turkey. Holdridge's scheme is aiming to group meteorological and climatic quantities at the regional scale according to some pre-defined rules. On the other hand, without rules or pre-defined restrictions, the process of combination of similar stations in groups is recognized as clustering. A spectral clustering method was suggested for identifying the characteristics of the local climate over the country. To increase the proxy value of the estimated life zones, the missing values in the data sets of temperature and precipitation series were filled by fitting appropriate theoretical variogram. A programme coded in Fortran 95 was developed for determining the life zones. The probabilistic features of the life zones were estimated by using empirical cumulative frequencies. In addition, a new spectral clustering method based on Sampson correlation ratio was developed for clustering high-dimensional data. From these results, four major categorical life zones were obtained, namely montane, lower montane, cool temperate and warm temperate. Additionally, 14 types of the Holdridge's vegetation classes were estimated, the frequent zones are cool temperate steppe and warm temperate dry forest; some moist forests are seen particularly in the eastern Black Sea region, the rainiest region of the country. The suggested spectral clustering method is capable of capturing the principal life zones. The tendency of life zones shifting towards the climate conditions of lower latitudes indicates that the long-term meteorological normals changed; this is exactly the point of climate change. A better understanding of life zones of Holdridge hopefully can contribute to sustainability plans of the policy makers.

Seed trait-mediated selection by rodents affects mutualistic interactions and seedling recruitment of co-occurring tree species

As mutualists, seed dispersers may significantly affect mutualistic interactions and seedling recruitment of sympatric plants that share similar seed dispersers, but studies are rare. Here, we compared seed dispersal fitness in two co-occurring plant species (Armeniaca sibirica and Amygdalus davidiana) that inhabit warm temperate deciduous forest in northern China. We tested the hypothesis that seed trait-mediated selection by rodents may influence mutualistic interactions with rodents and then seedling establishment of co-occurring plant species. A.davidiana seeds are larger and harder (thick endocarps) than A.sibirica seeds, but they have similar levels of nutrients (crude fat, crude protein), caloric value and tannin. More A.sibirica seedlings are found in the field. Semi-natural enclosure tests indicated that the two seed species were both harvested by the same six rodent species, but that A.sibirica had mutualistic interactions (scatter hoarding) with four rodent species (Apodemus peninsulae, A. agrarius, Sciurotamias davidianus, Tamias sibiricus), and A.davidiana with only one (S. davidianus). Tagged seed dispersal experiments in the field indicated that more A.sibirica seeds were scatter-hoarded by rodents, and more A.sibirica seeds survived to the next spring and became seedlings. A.sibirica seeds derive more benefit from seed dispersal by rodents than A.davidiana seeds, particularly in years with limited seed dispersers, which well explained the higher seedling recruitment of A.sibirica compared with that of A.davidiana under natural conditions. Our results suggest that seed dispersers may play a significant role in seedling recruitment and indirect competition between co-occurring plant species.

Distribution of butterflies along a trekking corridor in the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, Sikkim, Eastern Himalayas

Aim The aim of the research was to understand the distribution pattern of butterflies along attitudinal and disturbance gradients in a trekking corridor in Sikkim, India.Location Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, West Sikkim, India.Material and Methods The study focused on two sets of data, one on inventory of species along the trekking corridor and the other on butterfly species and their numbers along the 19 permanent plots measuring 30x40m. Among the 19 plots, four each was laid in degraded forests (canopy cover &lt;40%) and undisturbed forests (canopy cover &gt;40%) within the warm temperate broadleaf forest (1780–2350 m), and five and six in degraded and undisturbed forest respectively in cool temperate sub-alpine forest (2350– 3600 m). The surveys were conducted thrice a season for two seasons. All individuals recorded from the 114 pseudo replicate plots (19 plots, 3 times a season for 2 seasons) and the casual observations were considered for preliminary analysis for dominant families.Key findings Among the 189 species recorded, Nymphalidae family was dominant (44%) followed by Lycanidae (19%) and the least number of species was recorded from Riodinidae (1%). Likewise, 69% of the species recorded were found to be ‘fairly common’, 16% ‘common’ and 11% rare. The highest number of species per transect was recorded from the disturbed condition (7.1±0.7 Standard Error) at warm temperate broadleaf forest (WTBF) followed by undisturbed condition (6.7±0.8) and the least was recorded at the undisturbed condition (4.1±0.5) of cool temperate subalpine forest (CTSF). Similarly, the butterfly species diversity, its richness and evenness significantly differed between the forest types i.e. WTBF and CTSF and showed negative correlation along altitudinal gradients.Conservation implications Study concludes that the human interventions and tourism enterprises are bringing subtle changes in butterfly habitat and may have major effects on some of the habitat specific species if they are not seriously considered in the management interventions.Conservation Science Vol.3(1) 2015: 1-10