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<p>The Indian Himalayas harbor diverse forest ecosystems that play a critical role in biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, and sustaining local livelihoods. Among them, <i>Buxus wallichiana</i> Baill., a slow-growing and shade-tolerant species, has ecological and economic significance but is increasingly threatened by overexploitation and habitat degradation. A field survey conducted recently revealed a pure stand of <i>B. wallichiana</i> that had not been reported earlier from the Garhwal Himalaya, prompting an ecological assessment of its structure, regeneration, carbon stock, and disturbance dynamics. Vegetation data were collected by laying sampling plots of ten 0.1&#xa0;ha. Tree, sapling, and seedling populations analyzed using standard methods. The results revealed a total of 11 tree species within the forest stand, with an overall density of 520 trees/ha and a total basal cover of 22.23 m<sup>2</sup>/ha. <i>Buxus wallichiana</i> contributed the highest density and basal cover (380 tree/ha and 14.65 m<sup>2</sup>/ha), followed by <i>Quercus floribunda</i> Lindl. ex A.Camus (20 tree/ha and 3.12 m<sup>2</sup>/ha). The community exhibited low overall diversity (H′ = 1.07) but strong dominance of <i>B. wallichiana</i>. Regeneration analysis indicated high recruitment, with 50% of species showing good regeneration and <i>B. wallichiana</i> contributing the maximum seedling (3750 seedling/ha) and sapling densities (1220 saplings/ha). The forest stored a substantial amount of biomass and carbon, with total carbon density estimated at 327.17 tC/ha, of which <i>B. wallichiana</i> and <i>Quercus floribunda</i> were the major contributors. Disturbance analysis revealed low to moderate anthropogenic pressures, including tree cutting, lopping, and livestock grazing. These findings highlight the ecological uniqueness of <i>B. wallichiana</i>-dominated forests in the Garhwal Himalaya, emphasizing their role in long-term carbon storage and the urgent need for targeted conservation and sustainable management strategies.</p>

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Buxus wallichiana Baill. an emerging forest stand of Garhwal Himalaya: an emphasis on its ecological traits and implications for its conservation

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月20日

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  • Ajendra Singh Bagri,
  • Hardeep Singh,
  • Eza Gloch,
  • Shikha Arya

摘要

The Indian Himalayas harbor diverse forest ecosystems that play a critical role in biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, and sustaining local livelihoods. Among them, Buxus wallichiana Baill., a slow-growing and shade-tolerant species, has ecological and economic significance but is increasingly threatened by overexploitation and habitat degradation. A field survey conducted recently revealed a pure stand of B. wallichiana that had not been reported earlier from the Garhwal Himalaya, prompting an ecological assessment of its structure, regeneration, carbon stock, and disturbance dynamics. Vegetation data were collected by laying sampling plots of ten 0.1 ha. Tree, sapling, and seedling populations analyzed using standard methods. The results revealed a total of 11 tree species within the forest stand, with an overall density of 520 trees/ha and a total basal cover of 22.23 m2/ha. Buxus wallichiana contributed the highest density and basal cover (380 tree/ha and 14.65 m2/ha), followed by Quercus floribunda Lindl. ex A.Camus (20 tree/ha and 3.12 m2/ha). The community exhibited low overall diversity (H′ = 1.07) but strong dominance of B. wallichiana. Regeneration analysis indicated high recruitment, with 50% of species showing good regeneration and B. wallichiana contributing the maximum seedling (3750 seedling/ha) and sapling densities (1220 saplings/ha). The forest stored a substantial amount of biomass and carbon, with total carbon density estimated at 327.17 tC/ha, of which B. wallichiana and Quercus floribunda were the major contributors. Disturbance analysis revealed low to moderate anthropogenic pressures, including tree cutting, lopping, and livestock grazing. These findings highlight the ecological uniqueness of B. wallichiana-dominated forests in the Garhwal Himalaya, emphasizing their role in long-term carbon storage and the urgent need for targeted conservation and sustainable management strategies.