The Himalayan Yew (Taxus baccata subsp. wallichiana) is an endangered native high value medicinal plant of the Himalayan Region. The several medicinal properties of the bark and leaves of this species have increased i...The Himalayan Yew (Taxus baccata subsp. wallichiana) is an endangered native high value medicinal plant of the Himalayan Region. The several medicinal properties of the bark and leaves of this species have increased its risk of extinction due to pressures for utilization. It is also subjected to harvest for fuelwood. The species does not regenerate well from seed and that is another risk factor. The objective of this research was to investigate the population ecology of the species as a foundation for its conservation. Six forest communities in the Khokhan Wildlife Sanctuary where the species is present were sampled. The abundance of the species, impacts of harvesting and its current regeneration patterns indicate that it may soon be extirpated from the Sanctuary. A plan for conserving the remaining sub-populations is presented. It could provide a template for conservation in other locations where the species is at risk.展开更多
The study intended to describe the alpine vegetation of a protected area of the northwestern Himalaya and identify the important environmental variables responsible for species distribution.We placed random plots cove...The study intended to describe the alpine vegetation of a protected area of the northwestern Himalaya and identify the important environmental variables responsible for species distribution.We placed random plots covering different habitats and altitude to record species composition and environmental variables.Vegetation was classified using hierarchical cluster analysis and vegetation-environment relationships were evaluated with Canonical Correspondence Analysis.Four communities,each in alpine shrub and meadows were delineated and well justified in the ordination plots.Indicator species for the different communities were identified.Maximum species richness and diversity were found in community IV among shrub communities and community II among the meadows.Studied environmental variables explained 61.5% variation in shrub vegetation and 59.8% variation in meadows.Soil variables explained higher variability (～35%) than spatial variables (～21%) in both shrubs and meadows.Altitude,among the spatial variables and carbon/nitrogen ratio and nitrogen among the soil variables explained maximum variation.About 40% variations left unexplained.Latitude and species diversity among the other variables had significant correlation with ordination axes.Study showed that altitude and C/N ratio played a significant role in species composition.Extensive sampling efforts and inclusion of other non-studied variables are also suggested for better understanding.展开更多
Fuelwood is the main source of the energy in mountainous regions.Hence,annual wood consumption is very high.Information on fuelwood resources,and their extraction and availability is very scanty.Therefore,present stud...Fuelwood is the main source of the energy in mountainous regions.Hence,annual wood consumption is very high.Information on fuelwood resources,and their extraction and availability is very scanty.Therefore,present study was carried out to study the diversity of fuelwood species,annual collection,preference and availability of fuel species in the forests.Thirty four species(25 trees and 9 shrubs) were extracted for fuel by the inhabitants.Total collection and species preference was highest for Picea smithiana,Cedrus deodara,Indigofera heterantha,Pinus wallchiana and Sorbaria tomentosa,respectively.Resource use index indicating use pressure was highest for P.smithiana,C.deodara,I.heterantha and Abies pindrow,respectively.Besides native species,some non-native horticultural and agroforestry species such as Malus pumila,P.domestica,Celtis australis,etc.were also being used as fuel.Preferred species showed their availability in eight forest types whereas,population and regeneration status was poor.Therefore,immediate actions are suggested to sustain current and future demand of fuelwood.The afforestation of degraded,uncultivated and marginal lands through high quality and preferred fuel species might reduce pressure on wild and selective species.展开更多
文摘The Himalayan Yew (Taxus baccata subsp. wallichiana) is an endangered native high value medicinal plant of the Himalayan Region. The several medicinal properties of the bark and leaves of this species have increased its risk of extinction due to pressures for utilization. It is also subjected to harvest for fuelwood. The species does not regenerate well from seed and that is another risk factor. The objective of this research was to investigate the population ecology of the species as a foundation for its conservation. Six forest communities in the Khokhan Wildlife Sanctuary where the species is present were sampled. The abundance of the species, impacts of harvesting and its current regeneration patterns indicate that it may soon be extirpated from the Sanctuary. A plan for conserving the remaining sub-populations is presented. It could provide a template for conservation in other locations where the species is at risk.
文摘The study intended to describe the alpine vegetation of a protected area of the northwestern Himalaya and identify the important environmental variables responsible for species distribution.We placed random plots covering different habitats and altitude to record species composition and environmental variables.Vegetation was classified using hierarchical cluster analysis and vegetation-environment relationships were evaluated with Canonical Correspondence Analysis.Four communities,each in alpine shrub and meadows were delineated and well justified in the ordination plots.Indicator species for the different communities were identified.Maximum species richness and diversity were found in community IV among shrub communities and community II among the meadows.Studied environmental variables explained 61.5% variation in shrub vegetation and 59.8% variation in meadows.Soil variables explained higher variability (～35%) than spatial variables (～21%) in both shrubs and meadows.Altitude,among the spatial variables and carbon/nitrogen ratio and nitrogen among the soil variables explained maximum variation.About 40% variations left unexplained.Latitude and species diversity among the other variables had significant correlation with ordination axes.Study showed that altitude and C/N ratio played a significant role in species composition.Extensive sampling efforts and inclusion of other non-studied variables are also suggested for better understanding.
文摘Fuelwood is the main source of the energy in mountainous regions.Hence,annual wood consumption is very high.Information on fuelwood resources,and their extraction and availability is very scanty.Therefore,present study was carried out to study the diversity of fuelwood species,annual collection,preference and availability of fuel species in the forests.Thirty four species(25 trees and 9 shrubs) were extracted for fuel by the inhabitants.Total collection and species preference was highest for Picea smithiana,Cedrus deodara,Indigofera heterantha,Pinus wallchiana and Sorbaria tomentosa,respectively.Resource use index indicating use pressure was highest for P.smithiana,C.deodara,I.heterantha and Abies pindrow,respectively.Besides native species,some non-native horticultural and agroforestry species such as Malus pumila,P.domestica,Celtis australis,etc.were also being used as fuel.Preferred species showed their availability in eight forest types whereas,population and regeneration status was poor.Therefore,immediate actions are suggested to sustain current and future demand of fuelwood.The afforestation of degraded,uncultivated and marginal lands through high quality and preferred fuel species might reduce pressure on wild and selective species.
