While the need for understanding the effects of topographical factors on forest structure and function is well recognized,comprehensive studies are scarce.This study evaluates the effect of slope aspect and slope posi...While the need for understanding the effects of topographical factors on forest structure and function is well recognized,comprehensive studies are scarce.This study evaluates the effect of slope aspect and slope position on water relations and forest attributes across six forest types occurring between 400 m and 2600 m altitude in the Central Himalaya(27°-38°N).We found that predawn tree water potential and soil water potential were generally higher on moist north slope aspect(-0.78±0.05 MPa and-3.34±0.18 MPa,respectively)than dry south slope aspect(-0.82±0.18 MPa and-3.77±0.18 MPa,respectively).Across six different forests,these values were higher at hill base(-0.71±0.06 MPa and-2.77±0.19 MPa,tree predawn water potential and soil water potential,respectively)than other topographical positions.The favorable effect of north aspect and hill base was also observed in maintaining soil water and tree water potential during the dry season.Vegetation attributes,such as species richness,unique species and plant density were also generally higher on north slope and hill base than southern aspect and lowest at hill top.Across forest types,the hill base provided shelter to 46 unique species,compared to 16-18 at the other positions,thus emphasizing its importance as refugia for species to survive climate change induced perturbations.The favorable conditions of hill base position not only contribute to increase in alpha diversity,but also to extended species distributional range.展开更多
Uttarakhand state in India is well known for its mountainous ecosystems,traditional communities and a variety of ecotourism destinations.Among various tourism activities,River Rafting along the banks of the Ganges Riv...Uttarakhand state in India is well known for its mountainous ecosystems,traditional communities and a variety of ecotourism destinations.Among various tourism activities,River Rafting along the banks of the Ganges River has increased tremendously for two decades,and has had unprecedented impacts on the traditional communities and the bio-diversity.Therefore,it is meaningful to do a comprehensive study on the various impacts associated with river rafting so as to suggest the pathways to achieve the environmental sustainability in this region.In this study,we collected primary data from randomly selected population units across all stake holders such as local people(n = 100),and camp personnel(n = 22),through a pre-tested questionnaire survey between August 2009 and May 2010.The questionnaire contains issues on culture,social,economic,institutional and associated perceived impacts on pollution and biodiversity including views for sustainability.Secondary information was also collected from various sources and government records to supplement and strengthen the analysis.The impacts were analyzed qualitatively through a ranking mechanism to facilitate the decision making process.The perception of the interviewee about the various possible impacts of rafting was discussed with mitigating mechanism.The ranking analysis as percollected data reveals that economy and education of local community was improved significantly;however aquatic and terrestrial fauna,social cohesion and pollution(water,air,land) were significantly deteriorated.The results show that the existing practices are not sufficient to address the adverse impacts.Improvement in practices is necessary,mainly in the policy regime.Based on the analysis,some measures are recommended on how to protect community interest and environment with the development of river rafting as an ecotourism opportunity.展开更多
The present study assesses anthropogenic disturbances and their impacts on the vegetation in Western Himalaya,India on the basis of various disturbance parameters such as density,Total Basal Cover(TBC) of cut stumps,l...The present study assesses anthropogenic disturbances and their impacts on the vegetation in Western Himalaya,India on the basis of various disturbance parameters such as density,Total Basal Cover(TBC) of cut stumps,lopping percentage and grazing intensities.On the basis of canopy cover and frequency of disturbances(%),the studied forests were divided into highly disturbed(HD),moderately disturbed(MD) and least disturbed(LD) categories.The HD forests had the lowest canopy cover,lowest density and lowest TBC and the LD had the highest canopy cover,highest density and highest TBC.The MD forests occupied the intermediate position with respect to these parameters.Species richness was least in HD forests,highest in one of the MD forests while LD forest occupied an intermediate position.The percentage of regenerating species was lowest(54%) in HD and highest(72%) in MD.The density of seedlings and saplings was higher in one of the MD forests as compared to HD and LD.We concluded that the moderate disturbances do not affect the vegetation adversely;however the increased degree of disturbance causes loss in plant diversity;affects regeneration and changes community characteristics.Construction of hydroelectric projects at various places in the study area was found to be one of the most important sources of anthropogenic disturbances in addition to the routine anthropogenic disturbances like grazing,fuelwood collection and fodder extraction.If all proposed dams in the Indian Himalaya are constructed combined with weak national environmental impact assessment and implementation,it will result in a significant loss of species.Therefore,various agents of disturbances should be evaluated in cumulative manner and any developmental activities such as hydropower projects,which trigger various natural and anthropogenic disturbances,should be combined with proper cumulative environmental impact assessment and effective implementation to minimise the anticipated loss of vegetation.展开更多
The present study proposes an index to assess the potential for adaptation to climate change for households in the mountainous regions. The index provides a realistic approach to recognize social and natural factors w...The present study proposes an index to assess the potential for adaptation to climate change for households in the mountainous regions. The index provides a realistic approach to recognize social and natural factors which contribute to successful adaptation and addresses several household functions,such as social networking, livelihood strategy, adjustment strategies, resource availability and accessibility. The proposed Adaptation Capability Index(ACI) is analytically defined, mathematically formulated and field tested on mountainous households in urban and semi-urban regions of the Uttarakhand Himalaya in India. To gather data on the topic relevant to the ACI, a household scale questionnaire was developed and administered to 120 heads of households through face-to-face interviews. The results highlight higher adaptive capability of urban households and low adaptation capacity of rural households due to poor farm productivity, low accessibility and availability of resources and technological input. Future programs and policies must include and implement regulations to remedy attributive factors responsible for higher adaptation. This paper may be applicable to other mountainous regions and may provide insights for effective adaptation strategies to climate change.展开更多
基金Department of Botany,Dolphin(PG)Institute of Bio-medical and Natural SciencesDepartment of Botany,DSB Campus,Kumaun University for liberal supportDepartment of Forestry and Environmental Science,DSB Campus,Kumaun University for the liberal support。
文摘While the need for understanding the effects of topographical factors on forest structure and function is well recognized,comprehensive studies are scarce.This study evaluates the effect of slope aspect and slope position on water relations and forest attributes across six forest types occurring between 400 m and 2600 m altitude in the Central Himalaya(27°-38°N).We found that predawn tree water potential and soil water potential were generally higher on moist north slope aspect(-0.78±0.05 MPa and-3.34±0.18 MPa,respectively)than dry south slope aspect(-0.82±0.18 MPa and-3.77±0.18 MPa,respectively).Across six different forests,these values were higher at hill base(-0.71±0.06 MPa and-2.77±0.19 MPa,tree predawn water potential and soil water potential,respectively)than other topographical positions.The favorable effect of north aspect and hill base was also observed in maintaining soil water and tree water potential during the dry season.Vegetation attributes,such as species richness,unique species and plant density were also generally higher on north slope and hill base than southern aspect and lowest at hill top.Across forest types,the hill base provided shelter to 46 unique species,compared to 16-18 at the other positions,thus emphasizing its importance as refugia for species to survive climate change induced perturbations.The favorable conditions of hill base position not only contribute to increase in alpha diversity,but also to extended species distributional range.
文摘Uttarakhand state in India is well known for its mountainous ecosystems,traditional communities and a variety of ecotourism destinations.Among various tourism activities,River Rafting along the banks of the Ganges River has increased tremendously for two decades,and has had unprecedented impacts on the traditional communities and the bio-diversity.Therefore,it is meaningful to do a comprehensive study on the various impacts associated with river rafting so as to suggest the pathways to achieve the environmental sustainability in this region.In this study,we collected primary data from randomly selected population units across all stake holders such as local people(n = 100),and camp personnel(n = 22),through a pre-tested questionnaire survey between August 2009 and May 2010.The questionnaire contains issues on culture,social,economic,institutional and associated perceived impacts on pollution and biodiversity including views for sustainability.Secondary information was also collected from various sources and government records to supplement and strengthen the analysis.The impacts were analyzed qualitatively through a ranking mechanism to facilitate the decision making process.The perception of the interviewee about the various possible impacts of rafting was discussed with mitigating mechanism.The ranking analysis as percollected data reveals that economy and education of local community was improved significantly;however aquatic and terrestrial fauna,social cohesion and pollution(water,air,land) were significantly deteriorated.The results show that the existing practices are not sufficient to address the adverse impacts.Improvement in practices is necessary,mainly in the policy regime.Based on the analysis,some measures are recommended on how to protect community interest and environment with the development of river rafting as an ecotourism opportunity.
文摘The present study assesses anthropogenic disturbances and their impacts on the vegetation in Western Himalaya,India on the basis of various disturbance parameters such as density,Total Basal Cover(TBC) of cut stumps,lopping percentage and grazing intensities.On the basis of canopy cover and frequency of disturbances(%),the studied forests were divided into highly disturbed(HD),moderately disturbed(MD) and least disturbed(LD) categories.The HD forests had the lowest canopy cover,lowest density and lowest TBC and the LD had the highest canopy cover,highest density and highest TBC.The MD forests occupied the intermediate position with respect to these parameters.Species richness was least in HD forests,highest in one of the MD forests while LD forest occupied an intermediate position.The percentage of regenerating species was lowest(54%) in HD and highest(72%) in MD.The density of seedlings and saplings was higher in one of the MD forests as compared to HD and LD.We concluded that the moderate disturbances do not affect the vegetation adversely;however the increased degree of disturbance causes loss in plant diversity;affects regeneration and changes community characteristics.Construction of hydroelectric projects at various places in the study area was found to be one of the most important sources of anthropogenic disturbances in addition to the routine anthropogenic disturbances like grazing,fuelwood collection and fodder extraction.If all proposed dams in the Indian Himalaya are constructed combined with weak national environmental impact assessment and implementation,it will result in a significant loss of species.Therefore,various agents of disturbances should be evaluated in cumulative manner and any developmental activities such as hydropower projects,which trigger various natural and anthropogenic disturbances,should be combined with proper cumulative environmental impact assessment and effective implementation to minimise the anticipated loss of vegetation.
文摘The present study proposes an index to assess the potential for adaptation to climate change for households in the mountainous regions. The index provides a realistic approach to recognize social and natural factors which contribute to successful adaptation and addresses several household functions,such as social networking, livelihood strategy, adjustment strategies, resource availability and accessibility. The proposed Adaptation Capability Index(ACI) is analytically defined, mathematically formulated and field tested on mountainous households in urban and semi-urban regions of the Uttarakhand Himalaya in India. To gather data on the topic relevant to the ACI, a household scale questionnaire was developed and administered to 120 heads of households through face-to-face interviews. The results highlight higher adaptive capability of urban households and low adaptation capacity of rural households due to poor farm productivity, low accessibility and availability of resources and technological input. Future programs and policies must include and implement regulations to remedy attributive factors responsible for higher adaptation. This paper may be applicable to other mountainous regions and may provide insights for effective adaptation strategies to climate change.
