Structure and Function of Oak Forests in Central Himalaya. I. Dry Matter Dynamics |
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Authors: | RAWAT, Y. S. SINGH, J. S. |
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Affiliation: | Department of Botany, Kumaun University Naini Tal, 263 002, India *Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University Varanasi, 221 005, India |
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Abstract: | The present study deals with structure and functioning of threeareas of Himalayan oak forest. Low- and mid-altitude oaks, namelyQuercus leucotrichophora, and Quercus floribunda, form predominantevergreen forests in Central and Western Himalaya. The totaltree basal cover ranged between 33·89 m2 ha1 (Q.floribunda site) to 36·83 m2 ha1 (Q. leucotrichophorasite). The density ranged between 570 and 760 individuals ha1.Allometric equations relating biomass of different tree componentsto GBH (girth at breast height) were significant with the exceptionof leaf biomass in Q. leucotrichophora and Rhododendron arboreum.Total vegetation biomass (29·40467·0 tha1) was distributed as 377·1 t ha1 intrees, 5·40 t ha1 in shrubs and 1·23 tha1 in herbs. Total forest floor biomass ranged between4·6 and 6·2 t ha1. Of the total annuallitter fall (4·74·8 t ha1), 77·5% was contributed by leaf litter, 17·8 % by wood litterand 4·7 % by miscellaneous litter. Turnover rate of treelitter varied from 0·66 to 0·70. Net primary productionof total vegetation ranged between 15·9 and 20·6t ha1 yr1, of which the contribution of trees,shrubs and herbs was 81·2 %, 8·6 % and 10·2%, respectively. A compartment model of dry matter on the basisof mean data across sites was developed to show dry matter storageand flow of dry matter within the system. Quercus leucotrichophora forest, Q. floribunda forest, Q. lanuginosa forest, biomass, litter fall, net primary production, compartmental transfer |
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