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Biological invasion has been considered one of the most important mechanisms of global change, posing serious threats to the conservation of native ecosystems worldwide. The present study was conducted in the subtropical vegetation stands in the suburban areas of Muzaffarabad city to study the diversity and distribution of invasive alien species (IAS) of plants and assess the factors responsible for their spread. A total of 9 sites, including 2 in the city and 7 in suburban areas, were sampled using random quadrate methods. The sampled flora were classified according to the phytogeographic origin and invasion status, whereas the phytosocioogoical attributes of plant communites were also calculated following standard protocols. A total of 121 plant species represented by 108 genera belonging to 58 families was recorded from the study area. Results revealed that 35.6% flora comprised of 43 species were recorded as IAS. The IAS dominating the area included Parthenium hysterophorus, Lantana camara, Xanthium strumarium, Ailanthus aItissima, Cannabis sativa, Broussonetia papyrifera, Arundo donax and Sorghum halepense. Analysis of the Invasion status revealed that invasive aliens had a weight of 46% followed by naturalized aliens and casual aliens, respectively. The dominance of invasive species resulted in decreased species diversity at the disturbed sites. Landslides and road construction were identified as factors promoting the establishment and spread of invasive species in the area. Principal component analysis revealed significant correlation of edaphic disturbances with the abundance of IAS. An integrated management system is recommended for early detection and control of IAS.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) greatly emphasizes on the accurate estimation of carbon stocks at local and regional levels. The Western Himalayan alpine and subalpine highlands are a good choice to analyze carbon sequestration dynamics because of having unique and fragile ecosystems. Present study was conducted in the alpine and subalpine regions of Kashmir to estimate the biomass and soil carbon stocks. The carbon stocks in the trees, herbs and soil were estimated by using allometric equations, destructive sampling and Walkley-Black method respectively. The average carbon stocks in the alpine region were estimated to be 372.5 t/ha with biomass carbon share of 2.27 tons per hectare while the soil organic carbon stocks share was recorded as 370.6 t/ha. The total carbon stock value of subalpine zone was found to be 340.9 t/ha with biomass carbon reserves as 81.1 t/ha whereas the soil organic carbon as 261 t/ha. Soil carbon contents showed an increasing trend with increasing altitude with alpine zone having higher values as compared to subalpine region. Whereas biomass carbon values showed a negative correlation with altitude with maximum values in sub alpine region as compared to minimum in alpines. Principal Component Analysis revealed altitude as the major factor affecting the carbon stocks. Current study provides the very 1 st scientific information about carbon stocks of western Himalayan highlands with diverse future implications. Carbon sequestration potential was found to be negatively affected by fuel wood extraction, over grazing and soil degradation. Sustainable management of these alpine forest is recommended to enhance the carbon stocks as well as to conserve the floristic wealth of the area.
Forest regeneration is a thrust area of vegetation studies having important implications and contributions for sustainable forest management. Regeneration pattern was investigated in western Himalayan moist temperate and subtropical forest sites in Bagh district, Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The anthropogenic pressure in terms of grazing and tree felling intensity was investigated. A very low regeneration values of 121 seedlings/ha was recorded for the whole area. Subtropical forests showed relatively higher regeneration value of 211 seedlings/ha. The seedling count for moist temperate forest sites was calculated as 119/ha. Stem/stump value of 1.62 was recorded for the forest stands showing immense tree felling intensity. Available grazing area per grazing unit was calculated as 0.16ha/grazing unit whereas average herd size was 3. Persistent grazing activity was recorded at all of the investigated forest sites. Multivariate statistical analyses revealed that anthropogenic disturbance stimuli were significantly correlated with retarded forest regeneration patterns. A gradual decline in tree felling and grazing intensity was observed with increasing altitude and distance from settlements; followed with an increase in seedling count.
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