Western Himalaya Research Articles

Spatio-temporal trends and variability in extreme temperature and precipitation indices in the Kashmir Valley, North Western Himalayas

ABSTRACT Earth's average air temperature is warming at a substantial rate leading to an increase in the frequency and severity of extremes with major environmental and socio-economic impacts. The present study discusses temperature and precipitation extremes in Kashmir Valley using observational data from six meteorological stations. An Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices (ETCCDI) (http://etccdi.pacificclimate.org/) provides 25 extreme climate indices (15 for temperature and 10 for precipitation) to be used. The absolute extreme temperature indices (TXx, TXn, TNx, and TNn) exhibit increasing tendencies, according to the findings. The number of changes witnessed in daily maximum temperature was greater than the daily minimum temperature which was manifested by increasing diurnal temperature range (DTR; 0.012 °C/year). These changes in extremes have impacts that pose a threat to agriculture, snow day and cover, glaciers, water resources, ecosystem services, etc. of the study region. The region is undergoing significant urban and land system changes making it further vulnerable to natural hazards. The findings are expected to further augment the hazard and risk analysis and the necessary disaster risk reduction measures for climate-related disasters in the region. These analyses will be helpful for the development of strategies for climate risk management in Kashmir.

Trace elements in the Upper Indus River Basin (UIRB) of Western Himalayas: Quantification, sources modeling, and impacts

This study conducted a comprehensive analysis of trace element concentrations in the Upper Indus River Basin (UIRB), a glacier-fed region in the Western Himalayas (WH), aiming to discern their environmental and anthropogenic sources and implications. Despite limited prior data, 69 samples were collected in 2019 from diverse sources within the UIRB, including mainstream, tributaries, and groundwater, to assess trace element concentrations. Enrichment factor (EF) results and comparisons with regional and global averages suggest that rising levels of Zn, Cd, and As may pose safety concerns for drinking water quality. Advanced multivariate statistical techniques such as principal component analysis (PCA), absolute principal component scores (APCS-MLR), Monte Carlo simulation (MCS), etc were applied to estimate the associated human health hazards and also identified key sources of trace elements. The 95th percentile of the MCS results indicates that the estimated total cancer risk for children is significantly greater than (>1000 times) the USEPA’s acceptable risk threshold of 1.0 × 10−6. The results classified most of the trace elements into two distinct groups: Group A (Li, Rb, Sr, U, Cs, V, Ni, TI, Sb, Mo, Ge), linked to geogenic sources, showed lower concentrations in the lower-middle river reaches, including tributaries and downstream regions. Group B (Pb, Nb, Cr, Zn, Be, Al, Th, Ga, Cu, Co), influenced by both geogenic and anthropogenic activities, exhibited higher concentrations near urban centers and midstream areas, aligning with increased municipal waste and agricultural activities. Furthermore, APCS-MLR source apportionment indicated that trace elements originated from natural geogenic processes, including rock-water interactions and mineral dissolution, as well as anthropogenic activities. These findings underscore the need for targeted measures to mitigate anthropogenic impacts and safeguard water resources for communities along the IRB and WH.

Deep learning-based streamflow prediction for western Himalayan river basins

Deep learning-based streamflow prediction for western Himalayan river basins

Change in high-temperature intensity-duration-frequency under different warming scenarios over India

This study examined the hottest temperature events in each year for a period of 1 to 10 consecutive days across India under 1.5 °C, 2 °C, and 3 °C global warming levels (GWLs) and two periods (T1: 2021–2050, T2: 2071–2100) using the Coupled Model Intercomparison Phase 6 (CMIP6) framework. Bivariate copula analysis was applied to determine the joint probability distribution of the intensity and duration of high-temperature extremes across various GWLs. We also evaluated the change in return values for 10, 20, 50, and 100-year return periods over 2, 5, and 10-day durations. The intensity of the high-temperature extremes indicates a gradual rising trend across the country for durations ranging from 1 to 10 days for different GWLs. For the 2-day duration, the intensity of average temperature increases by 0.7–2.6 °C under all GWLs. The Western Himalaya region (2–4.3 °C) shows the highest increase in intensity of 2-day duration followed by the Northwest (0.93–2.51 °C) and Eastern Coastal (0.86–2.5 °C) regions under different GWLs. Whereas, the Interior Peninsula (0.56–2.15 °C) and Western coastal (0.56–1.9 °C) regions show a lower increase. Similar patterns were observed for 5- and 10-day duration. The 20-year return value of the intensity for a 2-day duration increases by 7–24% under all GWLs across India. The highest increase was observed in the Western Himalayas (23–48%) followed by the Northeast and Eastern Coastal (9–25%) regions under all GWLs. We have derived Temperature-Intensity-Duration-Frequency (TIDF) curves for eight selected urban agglomerations cities. Among them, Srinagar exhibits the highest increase in intensity (ranging from 19 to 32%) followed by Guwahati (9–16%) and Mumbai (5.5–12.8%). Whereas, Hyderabad exhibits the smallest increase in intensity (0.02%–8%). The duration of high-temperature extreme events increases for a given intensity and return period. It is also observed that for a given intensity and duration, the exceedance probability of high-temperature extremes increases under different GWLs. These insights are crucial for climate mitigation and adaptation strategies and can inform decisions by urban planners, policymakers, and communities in addressing the challenges posed by high-temperatures extreme.

The pivotal role of water potential in phenology and seed germination of Abies spectabilis in the western Himalayan treeline region

Abies spectabilis (East Himalayan Fir), a dominant timber-producing species in the Himalayas, plays a dynamic role in ecological balance and sustains various habitats across temperate to subalpine altitudes. Himalayan montane forests express signs of changes in the growth, regeneration, and population density of forest tree species due to ongoing climate change, including its upper distribution limit. The research was conducted at 30°11´02˝N and 79°39′36˝E, ranging from 3,100 to 3,500 m asl elevation in the treeline ecotone of western Himalaya. The study presents a comprehensive perspective on how water availability and its intricate interactions with climatic and ecological variables shape the dynamics of treeline ecosystems. The study’s phytosociological analysis of treeline sites revealed the complex interplay between species composition, adaptability, and regeneration potential. The eco-physiological aspects of water balance were thoroughly explored, underscoring how plants employ various strategies to cope with changing water availability. The soil moisture content ranged from 32.17 to 73.50%. The dynamic nature of water potential (pre-dawn (ΨPD) and mid-day (ΨMD)) across seasons and years reflects and varies between −0.13 and − 1.25 MPa, the species’ ability to adjust and manage water balance according to environmental shifts. Osmotic potential at full turgor varied from −0.72 to −1.77 MPa, these adjustments are crucial for key life cycle events of vegetative and reproductive phases of species. The strong correlation of water potential (Ψ) and phenophases emphasizes the importance of water status in regulating these vital processes. Furthermore, the study delved into the maturation and germination processes, highlighting the significance of Ψ and moisture content in seed development and germination success. The maximum germination of 46.33% was observed when the seed moisture content was 30.90 ± 3.11%. The observed correlations between cone characteristics and seed parameters indicate the existence of trade-offs that impact seed size, weight, and germination capacity, contributing to the overall fitness of the species.

Home range and seasonal movement of Nanorana vicina (Stoliczka, 1872) (Anura: Dicroglossidae) in Himalayan streams, India

The spatial movement pattern is a poorly known aspect of amphibian ecology, especially in the Indian Himalayan region. Thus, we studied the home range and movement of Nanorana vicina,, an obligate stream frog endemic to the Western Himalayas. We radio-tagged 16 individuals and tracked their movement for an average of 63 days in two streams of Binog Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttarakhand. Our results showed that the highest mean movement of a tagged frog was 5.9 ± 3.26 meters (m) in 13 days during monsoon. Most of the movements (90 %) were restricted within the stream. Movement varied significantly across seasons, with the highest movement during the monsoon (2.71 ± 0.46 m) and the lowest during the post-monsoon (0.78 ± 0.14 m). The Dunn's Test revealed that post-monsoon movement was significantly lower than in both pre-monsoon and monsoon periods. The minimum convex polygon showed a range of 1.61 m2 to 43.16 m2 and 15.78 m2 to 684.99 m2 for 50% and 90% MCP, respectively. No significant difference was found in the weights of frogs before tagging and after removing tags (n = 10, p > 0.05). Himalayan streams are subjected to rapid anthropogenic and climate-induced changes. Less vagile and highly philopatric species, such as N. vicina, might be much more vulnerable to such changes. Thus, the study highlights the importance of the stream and the riparian zone for the conservation of this stream frog.

Challenges and Opportunities in Conserving Grassland Ecosystems of Western Himalayan region.

Challenges and Opportunities in Conserving Grassland Ecosystems of Western Himalayan region.

Floristic composition and phytosociology of various forage-based land-use systems in the Himalayas over an altitudinal gradient

Systematic sampling method was used to study ground vegetation diversity and phytosociology of chir pine silvipasture (SPCP), mixed-trees silvipasture (SPM), ban oak silvipasture (SPBO) and grasslands (Gr) in the western Himalaya, India along an altitudinal gradient viz., E1 (< 850 m), E2 (851–1150 m), E3 (1151–1450 m), E4 (1451–1750 m) and E5 (>1751 m). Ground vegetation belonging to 36 families, 106 genera, and 122 species were recorded, of which 68.85% of species belong to herbs and 31.15% belong to shrubs. Shannon-Wiener and Shannon evenness indices varied from 1.51 (Gr at E2) to 2.86 (SPM at E5), 0.46 (Gr at E2) to 0.80 (SPM at E4), for herbs; 1.91 (Gr at E1) to 2.78 (SPM at E5), 0.79 (SPCP at E1) to 0.92 (SPM at E3), for shrubs, respectively. The density and basal area of herbs were higher in grassland as compared to silvipasture systems, while it was vice-versa in the case of shrubs. These phytosociological characteristics of herbs and shrubs typically declined with elevation in all the land-use systems. Thus, silvipasture systems showed higher ground species diversity than grasslands. The phytosociological parameters of herbs were better in grasslands as compared to silvipastures. However, shrubs showed better growth parameters under silvipasture systems as compared to grasslands.

Effect of ZnSo4 Priming on Storability, Seed Quality and Bulb Yield in Onion under Mid-Hill Condition of North Western Himalayas

Effect of ZnSo4 Priming on Storability, Seed Quality and Bulb Yield in Onion under Mid-Hill Condition of North Western Himalayas

High-pressure, low-temperature metamorphism preserved in the Indus-Yarlung suture zone of the eastern Himalaya: Overprinting at amphibolite facies and comparison with occurrences in the western Himalaya

High-pressure, low-temperature metamorphism preserved in the Indus-Yarlung suture zone of the eastern Himalaya: Overprinting at amphibolite facies and comparison with occurrences in the western Himalaya

MaxEnt-Based Potential Distribution Mapping and Range Shift under Future Climatic Scenarios for an Alpine Bamboo Thamnocalamus spathiflorus in Northwestern Himalayas

Thamnocalamus spathiflorus is a shrubby woody bamboo invigorating at the alpine and sub-alpine region of the northwestern Himalayas. The present investigation was conducted to map the potential distribution of Th. spathiflorus in the western Himalayas for current and future climate scenario using Ecological Niche Modelling (ENM). In total, 125 geo-coordinates were collected for the species presence from Himachal Pradesh (HP) and Uttarakhand (UK) states of India and modelled to predict the current distribution using the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) model, along with 13 bioclimatic variables selected after multi-collinearity test. Model output was supported with a significant value of the Area Under the “Receiver Operating Characteristics” Curve (AUC = 0.975 ± 0.019), and other confusion matrix-derived accuracy measures. The variables, namely precipitation seasonality (Bio 15), precipitation (Prec), annual temperature range (Bio 7), and altitude (Alt) showed highest level of percentage contribution (72.2%) and permutation importance (60.9%) in predicting the habitat suitability of Th. spathiflorus. The actual (1 km2 buffer zone) and predicted estimates of species cover were ~136 km2 and ~982 km2, respectively. The predicted range was extended from Chamba (HP) in the north to Pithoragarh (UK) in southeast, which further protracted to Nepal. Furthermore, the distribution modelling under future climate change scenarios (RCP 8.5) for year 2050 and 2070 showed an eastern centroidal shift with slight decline of the species area by ~16 km2 and ~46 km2, respectively. This investigation employed the Model for Interdisciplinary Research on Climate (MIROC6)–shared socio-economics pathways (SSP245) for cross-validation purposes. The model was used to determine the habitat suitability and potential distribution of Th. spathiflorus in relation to the current distribution and RCP 8.5 future scenarios for the years 2021–2040 and 2061–2080, respectively. It showed a significant decline in the distribution area of the species between year 2030 and 2070. Overall, this is the pioneer study revealing the eco-distribution prediction modelling of this important high-altitude bamboo species.

Altitudinal Impact on Phytochemical Composition and Mycorrhizal Diversity of Taxus Contorta Griff in the Temperate Forest of Shimla District.

Taxus contorta (family Taxaceae) is a native plant of temperate region of western Himalaya. The current study investigated the effect of altitude on the phytochemical composition and mycorrhizal diversity, associated with distribution of T. contorta in Shimla district, Himachal Pradesh, India. Quantitative phytochemical analysis of the leaf extracts indicated that alkaloid levels decreased with altitude, with the highest value in Himri's methanol extracts (72.79 ± 1.08 mg/g) while phenol content increased with altitude, peaking in Nankhari's methanol extracts (118.83 ± 5.90 mg/g). Saponin content was higher in methanol extracts (78.13 ± 1.66 mg/g in Nankhari, 68.06 ± 1.92 mg/g in Pabbas, and 56.32 ± 1.93 mg/g in Himri). Flavonoid levels were notably higher in chloroform extracts, particularly in Nankhari (219.97 ± 2.99 mg/g), and positively correlated with altitude. Terpenoids were higher in chloroform extracts at Himri (11.34 ± 0.10 mg/g) and decreased with altitude. Taxol content showed minimal variation between solvents and altitudes (4.53-6.98 ppm), while rutin was only detected in methanol extracts (1.31-1.46 ppm). Mycorrhizal spore counts in T. contorta's rhizosphere varied with altitude: highest at Himri (77.83 ± 2.20 spores/50 g soil), decreasing to Pabbas (68.06 ± 1.96 spores/50 g soil) and lowest at Nankhari (66.00 ± 2.77 spores/50 g soil), with 17 AMF species identified overall, showing significant altitudinal influence on spore density. The rhizosphere of T. contorta was shown to be dominated by the Glomus species. The rhizospheric soil of the plant was found to be slightly acidic. Organic carbon and available potassium content decreased contrasting with increasing available nitrogen and phosphorus with altitude. Correlation data showed strong negative links between organic carbon (-0.83), moderate positive for nitrogen (0.46) and phosphorus (0.414), and moderate negative for potassium (-0.56) with the altitude. This study provides a comprehensive insight into changes in phytochemical constituents, mycorrhizal diversity and soil composition of T. contorta along a range of altitude.

Variation in the Essential Oil Composition in Leaves (Fresh & Dried) of Cinnamomum tamala (Indian Bay Leaf) Cultivated in Western Himalaya

Variation in the Essential Oil Composition in Leaves (Fresh & Dried) of Cinnamomum tamala (Indian Bay Leaf) Cultivated in Western Himalaya

Design of Rain Water Harvesting System for Efficient Water Scarcity and Flood Management in India

Areas experiencing extensive floods during the rainy season and water scarcity in winter require efficient water resource management. Economical water-harvesting structures such as drystone masonry and upstream-wall cement masonry, with heights ranging from 1 to 2.5 meters, are constructed for catchments smaller than 10, 10 to 20, and 20 to 30 hectares, respectively, utilizing locally sourced materials. These constructions offer significant cost-effectiveness for the location, boasting a B:C ratio of 3.5:1. In certain areas of Assam, Garh structures are constructed, featuring large and lengthy embankments on both sides with an open central section for water flow. Within paddy fields, the entire area is partitioned into small square segments, creating small embankments known as "Dara." which store rainwater for cultivation. Across the entire Western Himalayan region, encompassing Jammu, Himachal Pradesh, and Northern Uttaranchal, Guhl serves as a standardized water harvesting technique. Notably, in Akola and Chittoor districts, the establishment of farm ponds has significantly boosted crop and livestock productivity, along with farm income. Additional irrigation has notably enhanced the yield of various rainfed crops such as pigeon pea, chickpea, groundnut, cotton, and vegetables, as well as mango and coconut plants, with improvements ranging from 5 to 72%. With the availability of harvested rainwater for supplemental irrigation, farmers have also planted additional fruit trees, resulting in increased productivity of existing fruit trees, such as mango (39%) in Chittoor district and coconut (51%) in Vellore district. Expanding the number of rainwater harvesting structures could potentially reduce runoff within the basin by up to 60%. The implementation of Doha Models, involving percolation tanks dug along the length of lower-order seasonal streams in Jalna district of Maharashtra, has increased cropping intensity from 129% to 132%. Remarkably, five out of seven crops have demonstrated a relatively higher percentage increase in yields. The optimal productivity of harvested water is achieved when efficient application methods such as micro-irrigation are employed, targeting high-value crops.

Floristic Diversity of Sunni Dam Catchment in North Western Himalayas

Floristic Diversity of Sunni Dam Catchment in North Western Himalayas

The chemical composition of the essential oil of Calendula suffruticosa subsp. fulgida (Raf.) Guadagno aerial parts growing wild in Sicily (Italy)

Calendula L. is a relatively small genus belonging to the Asteraceae family, distributed in Europe to Western Himalaya, Macaronesia, Mediterranean to Sahara and Arabian Peninsula. Some of its species are largely utilised in the ethnopharmacology of several countries and several documented biological properties have been determined. In the present study, the essential oil composition of Calendula suffruticosa subsp. fulgida (Raf.) Guadagno, collected in Sicily, a plant never previously investigated, has been carried out. The oil was shown to be quite rich in sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (44.5%) with δ-cadinene (15.9%) and viridiflorene (6.3%) as main metabolites. Also, monoterpene hydrocarbons (39.3%) were present in good amount being α-thujene (10.0%) and sabinene (6.9%) the principal metabolites of the class. The comparison with all the essential oils from Calendula taxa studied so far has been carried out.

Diversity, Indigenous Uses and Conservation Status of Plants Used in Socio-Cultural Traditions by Kinnaura Tribes of Himachal Pradesh, India

Himachal Pradesh, one of India's Western Himalayan states, is well-known for its distinct culture, traditions and vegetation. Kinnaura is a major tribal community of Himachal Pradesh and for ages, these people are highly dependent on locally available plant resources for fulfilling daily livelihood needs including socio-cultural traditions. Therefore, an effort has been made to; (i) assess the diversity and utilization pattern of plant resources in socio-cultural traditions; (ii) identify endemism and nativity and the threat status of these species; and (iii) suggest management options for conservation. A total of 105 species belonging to 79 genera and 39 families representing trees (14 species), shrubs (17 species), herbs (73 species) and one climber were recorded. Among these, fifty-two species were native to the Himalayan region and fifteen species were near-endemic. Flowers of plants are used in the majority. Among these, eighteen species are in the various threat categories of threatened species. Due to increasing demand, habitat destruction and overexploitation, the population of the preferred species are depleting rapidly. Therefore, assessment of natural populations, demand and supply studies, harvesting trends, developments of propagation methods, afforestation of highly preferred species and community awareness for sustainable utilization and conservation of traditional knowledge have been suggested.

Impact of forest management on structure, composition, biomass and carbon stock in Chir-pine (P. roxburghii) forest, Western Himalaya

This study performs a comparative analysis of tree composition, biomass, and carbon stock across different management regimes namely, Van Panchayat forest (VP), Reserve forest (RF), and Civil & Soyam forest (C&SF) in the state of Uttarakhand, with a focus on P. roxburghii (Chir-pine) forests. Collectively, these management regimes cover approximately 60 % of the forest area in the state. In this assessment, a total five tree species (Pinus roxburghii, Quercus leucotrichophora, Myrica esculenta, Acacia catechu, and Pinus wallichiana) were identified across the management regimes. The Pinus roxburghii emerged as the dominant species across all management regimes, with relative density of 92.79, 94.39, and 92.31 % in Van Panchayat forest, Reserve forest, and Civil & Soyam forest respectively. However, co-dominant species are varying across the sites. The total tree biomass and carbon stock were notably higher in Van Panchayat forest (236.31 & 112.25 t ha−1) compared to Reserve forest (224.85 & 106.80 t ha−1) and Civil & Soyam forest (193.58 & 91.95 t ha−1). These findings suggest that Van Panchayat forests exhibit a superior status in terms of density, biomass, and carbon stock as compared to Reserve and Civil & Soyam forests. Pinus roxburghii emerges as a crucial species, underscoring its ecological significance in the region. These findings underscore the critical role of effective forest management practices in fostering sustainable biomass accumulation and carbon sequestration in the Himalayan Chir-pine forests. Thus, it helps to mitigate the impacts of climate change and biodiversity conservation, and sustainable management of forests.

Double Dormancy in a Threatened Western Himalayan Population of Polygonatum cirrhifolium (Maha-Meda): Response to Ambient Storage and Pre-treatments

Double Dormancy in a Threatened Western Himalayan Population of Polygonatum cirrhifolium (Maha-Meda): Response to Ambient Storage and Pre-treatments

Two new Kongsbergia species from the Western Himalaya with a key to the species of the genus from India (Acari: Hydrachnidia, Aturidae)

In this paper, two species of the water mite genus Kongsbergia Thor, 1899 (Aturidae), i.e., K. uttarakhandensis Pešić & Smit n. sp. and K. tuzovskiji Pešić & Smit n. sp. are described from streams in Uttarakhand State of India. The latter species was named after late Dr Petr Tuzovskij for his outstanding contribution to the research of water mites.