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Forest vegetation response to anthropogenic pressures: a case study from Askot Wildlife Sanctuary, Western Himalaya

Author

Listed:
  • Soni Bisht

    (Kumaun University)

  • G. S. Rawat

    (Wildlife Institute of India)

  • Surendra Singh Bargali

    (Kumaun University)

  • Y. S. Rawat

    (Kumaun University)

  • Abhinav Mehta

    (ISCON EMPORIO)

Abstract

Temperate broadleaf forests in the Western Himalaya support a large number of local agro-pastoral communities and provide numerous ecosystem services. Several authors have raised serious concerns about the sustainability of current extractive pressures in these forests. We conducted a detailed ecological study on different forests in Askot Wildlife Sanctuary area to assess their current status in terms of species composition and regeneration of dominant tree species. We quantified structure and composition, population structure and regeneration pattern in six major forest types and compared the findings of a previous study conducted by other authors in the same area about 20 years ago. A total of 180 plots in 18 sites were sampled following the standard phytosociological methods. Canonical component analysis was used to predict the impact of environmental factors on forest communities, and land use land cover changes detected influence of ongoing anthropogenic pressures in the area. The study revealed that extractive pressures in the study area have increased since then, which resulted in the decline of the forested area. However, there has been an expansion of Macaranga pustulata, Quercus leucotrichophora and Quercus lanuginosa since the year 2000 and there is a decline in the regeneration of Quercus semecarpifolia. Considering the significance of high-altitude forests and the ecological sensitivity of Q. semecarpifolia, it is recommended to initiate urgent conservation measures in the region.

Suggested Citation

  • Soni Bisht & G. S. Rawat & Surendra Singh Bargali & Y. S. Rawat & Abhinav Mehta, 2024. "Forest vegetation response to anthropogenic pressures: a case study from Askot Wildlife Sanctuary, Western Himalaya," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(4), pages 10003-10027, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:26:y:2024:i:4:d:10.1007_s10668-023-03130-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-023-03130-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ripu M. Kunwar & Aaron Evans & Janardan Mainali & Abdul S. Ansari & Bhagawat Rimal & Rainer W. Bussmann, 2020. "Change in forest and vegetation cover influencing distribution and uses of plants in the Kailash Sacred Landscape, Nepal," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 22(2), pages 1397-1412, February.
    2. Baland, Jean-Marie & Bardhan, Pranab & Das, Sanghamitra & Mookherjee, Dilip, 2010. "Forests to the People: Decentralization and Forest Degradation in the Indian Himalayas," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 38(11), pages 1642-1656, November.
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    5. Ranjan, Ram, 2018. "What drives forest degradation in the central Himalayas? Understanding the feedback dynamics between participatory forest management institutions and the species composition of forests," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 85-101.
    6. Soni Bisht & Surendra Singh Bargali & Kiran Bargali & Gopal Singh Rawat & Yashwant Singh Rawat & Archana Fartyal, 2022. "Influence of Anthropogenic Activities on Forest Carbon Stocks—A Case Study from Gori Valley, Western Himalaya," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-24, December.
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