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<p>Van Panchayat forests are community-managed forest areas in the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand, essential for conservation and the long-term, sustainable use of forest resources by local communities. This study assesses the structure and regeneration of tree species in three oak-mixed Van Panchayat forests—Chai Bagicha, Umagarh, and Ghuggu Kham in Nainital district of Kumaun Himalaya, Uttarakhand. Using the line transect method, densities of trees, saplings, and seedlings were recorded to evaluate regeneration. A total of 13, 6, and 11 tree species were documented across the site I, II and III respectively, belonging to 18 genera and 13 families, with Fagaceae as the dominant family. Tree density ranged from 773 to 1160 individuals ha<sup>− 1</sup> and basal area from 28.47 to 37.51&#xa0;m<sup>2</sup> ha<sup>− 1</sup>. <i>Quercus leucotrichophora</i> was dominant, with <i>Quercus floribunda</i>, <i>Rhododendron arboreum</i>, and <i>Lyonia ovalifolia</i> as co-dominants. A reverse J-shaped population structure in Umagarh and Ghuggu Kham Van Panchayat indicated fair regeneration; Chai Bagicha Van Panchayat showed fewer seedlings. Overall, the regeneration pattern showed a higher abundance of seedlings than saplings; however, mature trees were numerically dominant over both juvenile stages, indicating fair regeneration with constraints in seedling-to-sapling recruitment. Some species appeared only as seedlings, indicating recent establishment. These findings highlight the positive role of community management in sustaining forest regeneration and underscore the need for targeted interventions such as regulating grazing and enhancing natural regeneration to support less represented species and ensure long-term forest health.</p>

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Structure and regeneration status of tree species in oak-dominated Van Panchayat forests

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月1日

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  • Kunjika Durgapal,
  • Neelu Lodhiyal

摘要

Van Panchayat forests are community-managed forest areas in the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand, essential for conservation and the long-term, sustainable use of forest resources by local communities. This study assesses the structure and regeneration of tree species in three oak-mixed Van Panchayat forests—Chai Bagicha, Umagarh, and Ghuggu Kham in Nainital district of Kumaun Himalaya, Uttarakhand. Using the line transect method, densities of trees, saplings, and seedlings were recorded to evaluate regeneration. A total of 13, 6, and 11 tree species were documented across the site I, II and III respectively, belonging to 18 genera and 13 families, with Fagaceae as the dominant family. Tree density ranged from 773 to 1160 individuals ha− 1 and basal area from 28.47 to 37.51 m2 ha− 1. Quercus leucotrichophora was dominant, with Quercus floribunda, Rhododendron arboreum, and Lyonia ovalifolia as co-dominants. A reverse J-shaped population structure in Umagarh and Ghuggu Kham Van Panchayat indicated fair regeneration; Chai Bagicha Van Panchayat showed fewer seedlings. Overall, the regeneration pattern showed a higher abundance of seedlings than saplings; however, mature trees were numerically dominant over both juvenile stages, indicating fair regeneration with constraints in seedling-to-sapling recruitment. Some species appeared only as seedlings, indicating recent establishment. These findings highlight the positive role of community management in sustaining forest regeneration and underscore the need for targeted interventions such as regulating grazing and enhancing natural regeneration to support less represented species and ensure long-term forest health.