Assessing Restoration Potential of Fragmented and Degraded Fagaceae Forests in Meghalaya, North-East India

Abstract

The montane subtropical broad-leaved humid forests of Meghalaya (Northeast India) are highly diverse and situated at the transition zone between the Eastern Himalayas and Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspots. In this study, we have used inventory data from seedlings to canopy level to assess the impact of both biotic and abiotic disturbances on structure, composition, and regeneration potential of the Fagaceae trees of these forests. Fagaceae trees are considered as the keystone species in these forests due to their regional dominance and their importance as a fuel wood source, and also because they form an important component of climax community in these forests. Unfortunately, these forests are highly degraded and fragmented due to anthropogenic disturbances. We have assessed, for the first time, the restoration potential (i.e., capacity to naturally regenerate and sustain desired forest structure) of Fagaceae species in the genera Lithocarpus Blume, Castanopsis (D. Don) Spach, and Quercus Linn. We also evaluated how biotic and abiotic factors, as well as anthropogenic disturbances, influence the restoration potential of these species in six fragmented forest patches located along an elevational gradient on south-facing slopes in the Khasi Hills, Meghalaya. Fagaceae was the most dominant family at all sites except one site (Laitkynsew), where it was co-dominant with Lauraceae. Fagaceae forests have shown high diversity and community assemblages. Fagaceae species had high levels of natural regeneration (i.e., seedlings and saplings) but low recruitment to large trees (diameter at breast height or DBH ≥ 10 cm) at all sites. The ability to sprout was higher in Fagaceae tree species than non-Fagaceae tree species. We have shown that human disturbance and structural diversity were positively related to regeneration of Fagaceae tree species due to high sprouting. However, with increasing human disturbance, recruitment of saplings and pole-sized trees to mature trees hampered the resulting proportion of mature Fagaceae tree species. This study provides a means for assessing regeneration and a basis for forest management strategies in degraded and fragmented forests of Meghalaya.

Structure, composition and diversity of tree species in Martelu Purba Nature Reserve, North Sumatra, Indonesia

“…It is a natural phenomenon that occurs when young plants replace mature trees due to various factors, such as being cut down, burned, falling, or physiologically dead (Samsoedin and Heriyanto 2010). Successful regeneration is achieved when there is an adequate number of seedlings, saplings, and pole-size trees of a species in competitive positions throughout forest development (Saikia and Khan 2013;Singh et al 2020).…”

Study on Spatiotemporal Characteristic and Mechanism of Forest Loss in Urban Agglomeration in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River

“…The ecological reconstruction of wastelands caused by pollution can be carried out using the topsoil conversion method, guest soil cover method, soil property improvement, and pioneer plant community cover. Chemical passivation, redox, and bioremediation methods are used for the ecological restoration of wastelands caused by pollution [74]. Additionally, through subsequent afforestation efforts, the forest loss caused by pollution can be restored gradually.…”

Chloroplast Genome of Lithocarpus dealbatus (Hook.f. & Thomson ex Miq.) Rehder Establishes Monophyletic Origin of the Species and Reveals Mutational Hotspots with Taxon Delimitation Potential

“…In India, the genus Lithocarpus is represented by 17 species [ 1 , 2 ], of which L. dealbatus is the dominant species distributed in the elevation range of 1000–1500 m above sea level. The species is found in the montane subtropical and temperate forests of the Eastern Himalayas and in the hills of northeastern India, and attains a height up to 30 m [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. The species performs several ecological functions with high standing biomass and a variety of mutualistic interactions with ectomycorrhizal fungi, gall-forming insects, and seed-dispersing vertebrates [ 6 ].…”