Effect of stand structure and aspect on the regeneration of banj oak (Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus) forest along disturbance in Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India

A study was conducted in an oak forest, to find out the relationship of stand structure, aspect and regeneration of species. Among all disturbance stands the density of banj oak Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus individuals was peaked at 40–50 cm and 50–60 cm diameter at breast height (DBH) classes and low tree density was observed with the increasing DBH classes. North aspect showed higher density for most of girth classes as compared to south facing aspect. Among all the stands, low seedling density was recorded in undisturbed stand at south facing aspect as compared to the moderately and highly disturbed stands. The tree density of Q. leucotrichophora was higher in the undisturbed stand followed by moderately disturbed and highly disturbed stand. But in case of seedling density the higher density were observed at undisturbed and highly disturbed stand in both of the aspects.

Plant diversity and regeneration potential of three different forests of Central Himalaya

Plant diversity is essential for human survival and economic well-being and also for the ecosystem function and stability. The total number of accessible seedlings and saplings in a forest community indicates the regeneration status/potential of a species or a forest. In this study, composition, diversity and population structure of three different forests (Banj oak, Chir-pine and Mixed oak-pine) was assessed around Nainital town of Uttarakhand state. Species richness and diversity were maximum in Banj-oak forest (9 species and 1.970, respectively) and minimum in Chir-pine forest (4 species and 0.634, respectively). The total tree density ranged from 1670 (Chir pine forest) to 1830 ind.ha-1 (Mixed oak pine forest) and the total basal area ranged from 87.22 (Mixed oak pine forest) to 208.37 m2ha-1 (Banj oak forest). Population structure revealed dominancy of mature trees and less number of seedlings evidently indicated the poor regeneration across the forests type. Viability of seeds, disturbances brought by frequent fire incidence, erosion of soil and water, uncontrolled grazing by animals, lopping/cuttings of under canopy plant species by villagers for fuel and fodder are the possible causes of the poor regeneration of the forests.