Scholarlink

<p>The oak (<i>Quercus</i>) forests of the Central Himalaya represent ecologically important and structurally diverse ecosystems that support rich biodiversity and provide a wide range of ecosystem services. Numerous studies have investigated species diversity and regeneration patterns in Himalayan oak forests over the years. However, these forests have been subjected to considerable environmental and anthropogenic changes. These changes may have significantly influenced species composition, forest structure, and regeneration dynamics, highlighting the need for updated assessments of oak-dominated forest ecosystems in the region. Using phytosociological analysis and ecological indices, we assessed patterns in tree density, basal area, importance value index, species richness, and regeneration status across 15 sites. Results indicate considerable variation in forest structure and diversity. <i>Quercus floribunda</i> and <i>Q. lanuginosa</i> forests exhibited the highest tree densities and diversity metrics, while <i>Q. glauca</i> and <i>Q. leucotrichophora</i> displayed relatively moderate richness with site-specific regeneration success. <i>Q. floribunda</i> had the highest tree density (730&#xa0;ind.&#xa0;ha<sup>−1</sup>) and IVI (231.8), followed by <i>Q. lanuginosa</i> (650&#xa0;ind.&#xa0;ha<sup>−1</sup>, IVI 102.9). <i>Q. lanuginosa</i> showed the highest species richness (8) and diversity (Shannon: 2.44–2.53; Evenness: 0.44–0.57), followed by <i>Q. semecarpifolia</i> (richness: 4–7; Shannon: 2.25–2.54). <i>Q. semecarpifolia</i> forests showed strong seedling presence but a consistent absence of saplings, suggesting regeneration bottlenecks likely driven by climatic and anthropogenic pressures. <i>Q. glauca</i> showed balanced regeneration with 37–44% seedlings and 13–18% saplings. <i>Q. floribunda</i> had high seedling dominance (64–69%) but low sapling numbers <i>Q. leucotrichophora</i> had poor regeneration. The findings highlight the ecological heterogeneity of Himalayan oak forests and underscore the importance of species and site-specific conservation strategies to ensure long-term sustainability under increasing climate and land-use change.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Comparative analysis of species composition and regeneration dynamics in five Quercus-dominated forest types in the Central Himalaya, India

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月9日

查看全文
  • Nandan Singh,
  • Inder Singh Rautela,
  • Maitreyie Narayan,
  • Shahbaz Ali

摘要

The oak (Quercus) forests of the Central Himalaya represent ecologically important and structurally diverse ecosystems that support rich biodiversity and provide a wide range of ecosystem services. Numerous studies have investigated species diversity and regeneration patterns in Himalayan oak forests over the years. However, these forests have been subjected to considerable environmental and anthropogenic changes. These changes may have significantly influenced species composition, forest structure, and regeneration dynamics, highlighting the need for updated assessments of oak-dominated forest ecosystems in the region. Using phytosociological analysis and ecological indices, we assessed patterns in tree density, basal area, importance value index, species richness, and regeneration status across 15 sites. Results indicate considerable variation in forest structure and diversity. Quercus floribunda and Q. lanuginosa forests exhibited the highest tree densities and diversity metrics, while Q. glauca and Q. leucotrichophora displayed relatively moderate richness with site-specific regeneration success. Q. floribunda had the highest tree density (730 ind. ha−1) and IVI (231.8), followed by Q. lanuginosa (650 ind. ha−1, IVI 102.9). Q. lanuginosa showed the highest species richness (8) and diversity (Shannon: 2.44–2.53; Evenness: 0.44–0.57), followed by Q. semecarpifolia (richness: 4–7; Shannon: 2.25–2.54). Q. semecarpifolia forests showed strong seedling presence but a consistent absence of saplings, suggesting regeneration bottlenecks likely driven by climatic and anthropogenic pressures. Q. glauca showed balanced regeneration with 37–44% seedlings and 13–18% saplings. Q. floribunda had high seedling dominance (64–69%) but low sapling numbers Q. leucotrichophora had poor regeneration. The findings highlight the ecological heterogeneity of Himalayan oak forests and underscore the importance of species and site-specific conservation strategies to ensure long-term sustainability under increasing climate and land-use change.