Diversity and regeneration status of tree species in Khokhan Wildlife Sanctuary, north-western Himalaya
IR@IHBT: CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur
View Archive Info| Field | Value | |
| Title |
Diversity and regeneration status of tree species in Khokhan
Wildlife Sanctuary, north-western Himalaya
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| Creator |
Pant, S S
Samant, S S |
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| Subject |
Plant sciences
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| Description |
The Khokhan Wildlife Sanctuary (KhWLS) located in the Kullu district of
northwestern Himalaya and covering an area of 14 km2 has not been explored for documenting
the structure and composition of vegetation. In this study we examine the site/habitat
characteristics, assess the diversity of tree species, delineate forest tree communities, assess the
regeneration pattern of tree species, and suggest conservation measures. Sixty-five sites were
sampled between 1640 - 2400 m asl and for each site, habitat characteristics, altitude and
dominant species were noted. Seventeen forest tree communities were recorded. Cedrus deodara
community was the most widely distributed followed by Quercus leucotrichophora, Abies
pindrow and Quercus semecarpifolia communities. Cedrus deodara community had maximum
density of trees (1468 Ind ha-1), seedlings (1290 Ind ha-1) and saplings (1172 Ind ha-1), while
Picea smithiana community recorded the maximum total basal area (186.2 m2 ha-1). Of the 17
forest tree communities identified, eight showed maximum regeneration of the dominant
species, six showed maximum regeneration of the co-dominant species indicating the possibility
of at least partial replacement of the dominant species by the co-dominant species in the future;
and three communities showed poor or no regeneration of the dominant species indicating a
total replacement of the dominants in the coming years. Long term monitoring of these tree
communities for their conservation management is suggested.
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| Date |
2012
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| Type |
Article
PeerReviewed |
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| Format |
application/pdf
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| Identifier |
http://ihbt.csircentral.net/1278/1/49_Densitometric.pdf
Pant, S S and Samant, S S (2012) Diversity and regeneration status of tree species in Khokhan Wildlife Sanctuary, north-western Himalaya. Journal of Tropical Ecology, 53 (3). pp. 317-331. |
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| Relation |
http://ihbt.csircentral.net/1278/
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