The juniper species Juniperus polycarpos C. Koch, J. indica Bertol. and J. communis L. var. saxatilis （Pallas） are important elements of the forest vegetation in Lahaul valley in the north-western Himalaya. Their ab...The juniper species Juniperus polycarpos C. Koch, J. indica Bertol. and J. communis L. var. saxatilis （Pallas） are important elements of the forest vegetation in Lahaul valley in the north-western Himalaya. Their ability to grow under the barren and xeric conditions of cold deserts makes them particularly suited for afforestation programmes under these eeologieal conditions. In the Lahaul valley, juniper species are used as subsistence resources and for religious purposes. Excessive removal of juniper wood and leaves by the local population, overgrazing, habitat fragmentation and low regeneration potential are the main obstacles to eonservation of juniper forests in this region. The present study was carried out to assess density, basal area and importance value index （WI） of the local vegetation as well as uses and amounts of juniper wood and leaves removed from the local forests. Pressure on relict juniper forests due to grazing animals and intensive removal of wood and leaves by the loeal population was found to be greater at an altitude above 3,00o m. The results of the study demonstrated that the different juniper speeies were adapted to specific altitude ranges. A higher species density was recorded at lower altitude except for J. indica which was only present at high altitude （〉3,200 m） on south-facing slopes. Density, basal area and IVI of J. polycarpos were higher at Hinsa （2,7oo m） than at Jahlma （3,000 m）. The rapid loss of vegetation due to overuse and habitat degradation has made the eonservation of juniper forests an important priority in the Lahaul valley. J. polycarpos at loweraltitude and J. indica at higher altitude are ecologically the more suitable species for the successful implementation of conservation programmes. The support of rehabilitation programmes by regional authorities is essential for the reestablishment of the local juniper forests.展开更多
Willow species （Salix fragilis L. and S. alba L.） are important elements of cold desert agroforestry systems in the Lahaul valley, north- western Himalaya. Their ability to grow through shoot-cuttings plantations un...Willow species （Salix fragilis L. and S. alba L.） are important elements of cold desert agroforestry systems in the Lahaul valley, north- western Himalaya. Their ability to grow through shoot-cuttings plantations under extreme and xeric climatic conditions of cold deserts, makes them ecologically suited and socially accepted for forestry programmes. Willow species in cold deserts may combat desertification and can thrive well in these areas as compared to any other species. Salixfragilis L. and S. alba L. are under cultivation in the Lahaul valley. However, S. fragilis is widely cultivated under the agroforestry and plantation forestry systems. In the Lahaul valley, willow species are used as subsistence resources and for socio-religious purposes. The present study was carried out to examine the vegetation analysis, density, diversity and distribution of willow species, present status and potential willow plantation sites and uses. The results of present study revealed that a higher species density was recorded at middle altitude villages （Jahlma-3,ooo m asl and Hinsa-2,7oo m asl）, except, a higher density of S. fragilis was at Khoksar （3,200 m asl） in plantation forestry on south-facing slopes. In forests, S. fragilis was planted mainly along the water channels, resulted a low density. The shrubby willow species occurred naturally in the entire Lahaul valley up to an altitude of 3,850 m asl. 81% of households felt the scarcity of willow trees, whereas, 19% of households were satisfied with the willow trees they owned. The majority of willow species were planted in middle altitudes on privately owned irrigated lands. It was rated most potential prospective willow planting siteby the farmers. Small size of land-holdings was one of the main constraints for establishing a large number of willow plantations. Commercial aspects of willow species need to be investigated to encourage the farmers to plant more willows further.展开更多
基金the financial support by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, India
文摘The juniper species Juniperus polycarpos C. Koch, J. indica Bertol. and J. communis L. var. saxatilis （Pallas） are important elements of the forest vegetation in Lahaul valley in the north-western Himalaya. Their ability to grow under the barren and xeric conditions of cold deserts makes them particularly suited for afforestation programmes under these eeologieal conditions. In the Lahaul valley, juniper species are used as subsistence resources and for religious purposes. Excessive removal of juniper wood and leaves by the local population, overgrazing, habitat fragmentation and low regeneration potential are the main obstacles to eonservation of juniper forests in this region. The present study was carried out to assess density, basal area and importance value index （WI） of the local vegetation as well as uses and amounts of juniper wood and leaves removed from the local forests. Pressure on relict juniper forests due to grazing animals and intensive removal of wood and leaves by the loeal population was found to be greater at an altitude above 3,00o m. The results of the study demonstrated that the different juniper speeies were adapted to specific altitude ranges. A higher species density was recorded at lower altitude except for J. indica which was only present at high altitude （〉3,200 m） on south-facing slopes. Density, basal area and IVI of J. polycarpos were higher at Hinsa （2,7oo m） than at Jahlma （3,000 m）. The rapid loss of vegetation due to overuse and habitat degradation has made the eonservation of juniper forests an important priority in the Lahaul valley. J. polycarpos at loweraltitude and J. indica at higher altitude are ecologically the more suitable species for the successful implementation of conservation programmes. The support of rehabilitation programmes by regional authorities is essential for the reestablishment of the local juniper forests.
基金financial support by the Ministry of Environment and Forests,Government of India,New Delhi,is gratefully acknowledged
文摘Willow species （Salix fragilis L. and S. alba L.） are important elements of cold desert agroforestry systems in the Lahaul valley, north- western Himalaya. Their ability to grow through shoot-cuttings plantations under extreme and xeric climatic conditions of cold deserts, makes them ecologically suited and socially accepted for forestry programmes. Willow species in cold deserts may combat desertification and can thrive well in these areas as compared to any other species. Salixfragilis L. and S. alba L. are under cultivation in the Lahaul valley. However, S. fragilis is widely cultivated under the agroforestry and plantation forestry systems. In the Lahaul valley, willow species are used as subsistence resources and for socio-religious purposes. The present study was carried out to examine the vegetation analysis, density, diversity and distribution of willow species, present status and potential willow plantation sites and uses. The results of present study revealed that a higher species density was recorded at middle altitude villages （Jahlma-3,ooo m asl and Hinsa-2,7oo m asl）, except, a higher density of S. fragilis was at Khoksar （3,200 m asl） in plantation forestry on south-facing slopes. In forests, S. fragilis was planted mainly along the water channels, resulted a low density. The shrubby willow species occurred naturally in the entire Lahaul valley up to an altitude of 3,850 m asl. 81% of households felt the scarcity of willow trees, whereas, 19% of households were satisfied with the willow trees they owned. The majority of willow species were planted in middle altitudes on privately owned irrigated lands. It was rated most potential prospective willow planting siteby the farmers. Small size of land-holdings was one of the main constraints for establishing a large number of willow plantations. Commercial aspects of willow species need to be investigated to encourage the farmers to plant more willows further.
