No abstract

No abstract

The physico-chemical properties of soil vary with the variation in the topographic features, climatic conditions and forest types. In any forest ecosystem, both vegetation and soil influence each other through nutrient cycles. The altitudinal variation in soil physico-chemical properties was analyzed in a temperate forest (Radi forest) of Upper Yamuna Forest Division in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand (Western Himalaya, India). A total of three forest sites were selected at different altitudes (the lower, middle, and upper) to collect composite soil samples from each site covering 0–10 cm, 11–20 cm and 21–30 cm depths. The textural class of the soils was sandy loam. The colour of the soil samples varied from brown to very dark brown. The water holding capacity (r = 0.994), soil organic carbon (r = 0.967), organic matter (r = 0.966), nitrogen (r = 0.993), phosphorus (r = 0.982) and potassium content (r = 0.994) had positive correlation with altitude whereas negative correlation was observed between altitude and soil pH (r = -0.983) in the study. The present study concludes that soil physico-chemical properties in temperate forests of Uttarakhand Himalaya vary significantly with variation in altitude.

The Garhwal Himalaya, located in the Himalayan Biodiversity Hotpot, is facing a tremendous pressure especially in human habitation localities where majority of the inhabitants are dependent on the natural resources for their daily needs. The forest resource use patterns vary from one place to another depending upon the livelihood status of inhabitant of particular area. The present study deals the forest resource use pattern in five villages namely Ghidrasu, Daang, Kathur, Khon and Thapli situated in the fringe of a reserve forest of Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India. The average fodder consumption was found 1136.13±148.44 kg/ family/ month that ranged 1047.62–1334.56 kg/ family/ month. The average fuelwood consumption/ household/ month varied from 451.04 to 560.74 kg (average 486.30±43.90 kg). The average LPG consumption varied from 13.59 to 14.26 kg/ household/ month (average 13.85±0.25 kg) in the area. The total importance value (TIV) analysis revealed that Aesculus indica, Euonymus pendulus, Lyonia ovalifolia, Myrica esculenta, Pinus roxburghii, Prunus cerasoides, Quercus oblongata, Rhododendron arboreum and Swida macrophylla were the tree species of higher socioeconomic values hence needs especial concern and priority in conservation and management related activities.

Residents in the hilly area of Indian Himalaya are largely dependent on tree resources for their livelihoods. The local knowledge and traditional practices are vanishing in rural areas due to drastic change in lifestyle and land use pattern. Diversity and tree species used by residents of Bhilangana watershed for their everyday needs have not yet been adequately recorded. Available information is mainly on ecology and geology of the region. Therefore, the aim of the study was to document tree diversity and extant local knowledge on tree species. Extensive surveys were conducted during 2018-19 to assess tree diversity, local knowledge on tree utilization through personal interview of 158 local residents. A total of 187 tree species belonging to 131 genera and 58 families were recorded and of these, 174 species were of ethno-botanical importance with at least one or multiples uses. Around 56.68% of tree species belonged to 15 dominant families. Ethno-botanical important species were classified into different use categories by local according to their use. Among use categories, 19.78% trees were used for medicine, 28.34% edible, 45.98% fodder, 59.89% fuel and 6.95% with no direct use in the area. The value of relative frequency of citation (RFC) for 28 tree species was calculated 1 which shows the relative high popularity/preference of these species and cultural importance (CI) value was found between 1 to 3.09 for 38 trees which signify the importance of tree species in the area. The highest informant consensus factor (0.99) was found for edible and religious followed by fibre (0.98), timber (0.98), fodder (0.974) and fuel (0.97). These findings highlight the importance of tree resources in mountainous regions.