Landsliding is a complex process that modifies mountainscapes worldwide. Its severe and sometimes long-lasting negative effects contrast with the less-documented positive effects on ecosystems, raising numerous questions about the dual role of landsliding, the feedbacks between biotic and geomorphic processes, and, ultimately, the ecological and evolutionary responses of organisms. We present a conceptual model in which feedbacks between biotic and geomorphic processes, landslides, and ecosystem attributes are hypothesized to drive the dynamics of mountain ecosystems at multiple scales. This model is used to integrate and synthesize a rich, but fragmented, body of literature generated in different disciplines, and to highlight the need for profitable collaborations between biologists and geoscientists. Such efforts should help identify attributes that contribute to the resilience of mountain ecosystems, and also should help in conservation, restoration, and hazard assessment. Given the sensitivity of mountains to land-use and global climate change, these endeavors are both relevant and timely.

In the Indian sub-continent Lantana has invaded vast tracts of dry-moist forests and other culturable wastelands, and has potentially altered biodiversity, landscape ecology and ecosystem services. It has invaded most Indian pasture lands (13.2 million ha) besides forest and fallow areas, and the cost of its control is estimated at US$ 70 per ha. This invasive weed stands out because of its rapid spread, intensity of infestation, allelopathy, opportunistic growth behaviour, reproductive biology traits and tenacious resistance to cutting and burning. This paper reviews the current knowledge on L. camara with particular focus on its ecological attributes such as biomass productivity, reproductive biology, invasiveness, allelopathy, eradication measures and economic uses reported from India. Based on the literature review it can be pointed out that the positive impacts and economic uses of Lantana outweigh its negative impacts and require further studies on cost-benefit considerations for decision making for its eradication and management.

In the western Himalayan region (Uttarakhand State in India), oak (Quercus leucotrichophora) and pine (Pinus roxburghii) are the two major forest ecosystems. Because of their difference in functionality, this study was aimed at the quantification and valuation of provisioning and regulating services provided by the oak and pine forests and to assess the importance to the local people in setting the forest conservation priorities. This study was carried out in 11 villages (665 households) using a structured questionnaire. The villages were situated in the vicinity of the oak and pine forests and covered a wide range of altitudes and human and livestock populations in the western Himalayan region. The study revealed that oak forests provide a greater variety of provisioning services as compared to pine forests. Provisioning services such as fuelwood, fodder, and natural fertilizers (leaf litter) provided by oak forests (Rs. 5676/person/year) were more valuable than those provided by pine forests (Rs. 4640/person/year). Stakeholder perceptions of the regulating services of oak forests, such as maintenance of soil fertility, soil moisture retention, prevention of soil erosion, air and water purification, was also more positive than for pine forests. However, more detailed quantitative studies on the ecosystem services of these forests are required to better understand their contribution to human well-being in the region and to design appropriate conservation strategies.

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Abstract. Population dynamics, mortality factors, growth and dry weight changes in Quercus floribunda seedlings were studied to determine the implication of sun and shade microsites and the role of mast years on regeneration and maintenance of oak forests in Kumaun Himalaya. The number of seedlings was significantly greater at the sun microsites, but seedling survival was not, as ground herbage clearance at sun microsites accounted for 53.5% mortality. Insect herbivores (e.g. acorn worm) were also one of the major mortality factors. At both microsites, most mortality was encountered between June and August. The initial seedling height at sun microsites was significantly lower compared to shade microsites. Seedlings at sun microsites were superior in terms of number of leaves and peak dry weight. Dry mass allocation in seedling components and root:shoot ratio was similar at both microsites. The study shows the importance of sun microsites and of masting in the potential for regeneration and expansion of Q. floribunda forests.