Sustainable agroforestry systems and their structural components as livelihood options along elevation gradient in central Himalaya

Abstract. Litterfall is one of the major pathways connecting above- and below-ground processes. The effects of climate and land-use change on carbon (C) and nutrient inputs by litterfall are poorly known. We quantified and analyzed annual patterns of C and nutrient deposition via litterfall in natural forests and agroforestry systems along the unique elevation gradient of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Tree litter in three natural (lower montane, Ocotea and Podocarpus forests), two sustainably used (homegardens) and one intensively managed (shaded coffee plantation) ecosystems was collected on a biweekly basis from May 2012 to July 2013. Leaves, branches and remaining residues were separated and analyzed for C and nutrient contents. The annual pattern of litterfall was closely related to rainfall seasonality, exhibiting a large peak towards the end of the dry season (August–October). This peak decreased at higher elevations with decreasing rainfall seasonality. Macronutrients (N, P, K) in leaf litter increased at mid elevation (2100 m a.s.l.) and with land-use intensity. Carbon content and micronutrients (Al, Fe, Mn, Na) however, were unaffected or decreased with land-use intensity. While leaf litterfall decreased with elevation, total annual input was independent of climate. Compared to natural forests, the nutrient cycles in agroforestry ecosystems were accelerated by fertilization and the associated changes in dominant tree species.

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In situ litter decomposition and nutrient release from forest trees along an elevation gradient in Central Himalaya

CATENA ◽

10.1016/j.catena.2020.104698 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 194 ◽

pp. 104698

Author(s):

Meena Bohara ◽

Keshab Acharya ◽

Sabana Perveen ◽

Kiril Manevski ◽

Chunsheng Hu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Litter Decomposition ◽

Elevation Gradient ◽

Nutrient Release ◽

Forest Trees ◽

Central Himalaya

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Distribution of vascular plants in a subalpine-nival gradient of Central Himalaya: current patterns and predictions for future warming climate

Botanica Orientalis Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.3126/botor.v9i0.21013 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. 27-39

Author(s):

Laxmi Raj Joshi ◽

Suresh Kumar Ghimire ◽

Jan Salick ◽

Katie M. Konchar

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Vascular Plant ◽

Elevation Gradient ◽

Distribution Patterns ◽

Systematic Investigation ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Range Shift ◽

Central Himalaya ◽

Intergovernmental Panel ◽

Vascular Plant Species

Following the standard method of Global Research Initiative in Alpine Environments (GLORIA), we performed a systematic investigation of vascular plant species distribution along a subalpine to nival gradient in the Central Himalaya. Our study aims to identify the richness and distribution patterns of vascular plant species and biogeographic groups under current climatic conditions and make predictions for their distribution under warmer conditions anticipated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Species richness decreased along an increasing elevation gradient. Aspect also influenced richness levels along the study gradient. Biogeographically, a majority of taxa were Himalayan endemics, followed by species with pan-Himalayan distribution. A complete turnover of indicator species along the elevation gradient was observed due to distinct phytoclimates. Twenty three percent of the plant species recorded in the present study showed a narrow elevation amplitude (<1250 masl) and are projected to be most sensitive to rising global surface temperatures. Taxa with restricted geographical distribution and narrow elevation amplitude must adapt through range shift to compensate for expected future increases in temperature. However, limited habitat availability may hinder the ability of high alpine species to migrate upward in elevation.Botanica Orientalis – Journal of Plant Science (2015) 9: 27–39

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Assessment of crop yield, productivity and carbon sequestration in agroforestry systems in Central Himalaya, India

Agroforestry Systems ◽

10.1007/s10457-019-00388-2 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 94 (1) ◽

pp. 281-296 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Bhawna Adhikari ◽

Neelu Lodhiyal ◽

L. S. Lodhiyal

Keyword(s):

Carbon Sequestration ◽

Crop Yield ◽

Agroforestry Systems ◽

Central Himalaya

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Abies spectabilis shows stable growth relations to temperature, but changing response to moisture conditions along an elevation gradient in the central Himalaya

Dendrochronologia ◽

10.1016/j.dendro.2020.125675 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 60 ◽

pp. 125675 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Narayan Prasad Gaire ◽

Ze-Xin Fan ◽

Achim Bräuning ◽

Shankar Panthi ◽

Prabina Rana ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Elevation Gradient ◽

Central Himalaya ◽

Abies Spectabilis ◽

Stable Growth ◽

Moisture Conditions

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Annual litterfall dynamics and nutrient deposition depending on elevation and land use at Mt. Kilimanjaro

Biogeosciences Discussions ◽

10.5194/bgd-12-10031-2015 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 12 (13) ◽

pp. 10031-10057 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

J. Becker ◽

H. Pabst ◽

J. Mnyonga ◽

Y. Kuzyakov

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Elevation Gradient ◽

Agroforestry Systems ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Land Use Intensity ◽

Natural Forests ◽

Nutrient Inputs ◽

Nutrient Deposition ◽

Rainfall Seasonality ◽

Intensively Managed

Abstract. Litterfall is one of the major pathways connecting above- and belowground processes. The effects of climate and land-use change on carbon (C) and nutrient inputs by litterfall are poorly known. We quantified and analyzed annual patterns of C and nutrient deposition via litterfall in natural forests and agroforestry systems along the unique elevation gradient of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Tree litter in three natural (lower montane, Ocotea and Podocarpus forests), two sustainably used (homegardens) and one intensively managed (shaded coffee plantation) was collected on a biweekly basis from May 2012 to July 2013. Leaves, branches and remaining residues were separated and analyzed for C and nutrient contents. The annual pattern of litterfall was closely related to rainfall seasonality, exhibiting a large peak towards the end of the dry season (August–October). This peak decreased at higher elevations with decreasing rainfall seasonality. Macronutrients (N, P, K) in leaf litter increased at mid elevation (2100 m a.s.l.) and with land-use intensity. Carbon content and micronutrients (Al, Fe, Mn, Na) however, were unaffected or decreased with land-use intensity. On the southern slope of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the annual pattern of litterfall depends on seasonal climatic conditions. While leaf litterfall decreased with elevation, total annual input was independent of climate. Compared to natural forests, the nutrient cycles in agroforestry ecosystems were accelerated by fertilization and the associated changes in dominant tree species.

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