Biodiversity conservation and carbon storage of Acacia catechu willd. Dominated northern tropical dry deciduous forest ecosystems in north-western Himalaya: Implications of different forest management regimes

Abstract

Sustainable forest management is the key to biodiversity conservation, flow of resources and climate change mitigation. We assessed the impact of various forest management regimes (FMRs): legal felling series [(reserve forest (RF), demarcated protected forest (DPF), un-demarcated protected forest (UPF), co-operative society forest (CSF) and un-classed forest (UF)] on biodiversity conservations and carbon storage in Acaciacatechu Willd. Dominated northern tropical dry deciduous forest ecosystems in Nurpur Forest Division of north-western Himalaya, India. The study revealed significant variations in floristic composition, biodiversity indices, population structure and C storage potential among different forest management regimes. The RF and DPF were found to be rich in species diversity and richness whereas the Simpson dominance index for trees and shrubs was maximum in UF and UPF, respectively. The diversity of understory herbs were higher in CSF and UF. The maximum density of seedlings, saplings and poles were recorded in RF followed by DPF and UPF, whereas the minimum density was found in CSF. The tree C density (69.15 Mg C ha−1) was maximum in UF closely followed by RF; whereas the minimum was recorded in CSF (33.27 Mg C ha−1). The soil C density was maximum in RF (115.49 Mg C ha−1) and minimum in CSF (90.28 Mg C ha−1). Similarly, the maximum total ecosystem C density was recorded in RF (183.52 Mg C ha−1) followed by DPF (166.61 Mg C ha−1) and minimum in CSF (126.05 Mg C ha−1). Overall, UF management regimes were shown to have a greater capacity for C storage in vegetation, whereas strict FMRs, such as RF and DPF, were found to be more diverse and have a higher soil and ecosystem carbon density. The study established that in the midst of climate and biodiversity emergencies, it is urgent to maintain, protect and strengthen the network of RF and DPF FMRs for biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Comparative Analysis of Phytochemicals in Acacia Catechu Bark Extracts From Guna District, Madhya Pradesh

“…Due to its role as the energy-storing form of plant materials, it is one of the most extensively dispersed chemical compounds in nature. Due to its inert behaviour, it is insoluble in much of the solvents; this is the possible reason for the negative qualitative results of the same, as also seen in other researches [24,27,30,33,34].…”

Steroids and Triterpenoids in Acacia Catechu Bark Extracts: A Comparative Study and Bibliographic Analysis

“…It is used as a mouthwash for oral hygiene, gum health, throat irritation, gingivitis, and dental infections. Various bioactive compounds such alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, and triterpenoids have shown therapeutic properties in many research investigations [3,8,9]. To support the significance of present work, the bibliographic analysis has also been done.…”

“…Certain triterpenoids possess hemolytic and cytostatic characteristics that might lead to adverse effects, limiting their therapeutic potential. Semisynthetic derivatives of triterpenoids are being used to remedy the issue [8,9].…”

Population Dynamics of Juniperus macropoda Bossier Forest Ecosystem in Relation to Soil Physico-Chemical Characteristics in the Cold Desert of North-Western Himalaya

“…At each elevation range, three plots of size 0.1 ha (31.62 × 31.62 m 2 ) were randomly established to examine the tree density and composition (24 elevation stands × 3 plots each = 72 plots). However, for regeneration survey, 2 m × 2 m plots [84] were laid out at four corners and one in the center of the main plot to record the number of seedlings (<0.5 m) and saplings (0.5-2 m) of J. macropoda. Trees, saplings and seedlings within each plot were counted to determine their density.…”