Effect of Grazing and Climatic Changes on Alpine Vegetation of Tungnath, Garhwal Himalaya, India

Abstract

Effect of grazing and changing climate on vegetation composition of alpine pasture at Tungnath, Garhwal Himalaya was observed. Growth form pattern and phytosociological attributes were analyzed during 1988 under grazed (exposed to extensive grazing) and ungrazed (protected from grazing) conditions. These observations were repeated during 1998. It was observed that number of early growing species and long vegetative growth cycle species had increased at both sites in 1998 in comparison to 1988. Further, some species, viz., Poa alpina, Polygonum spp., Ranunculus hirtellus, Anemone spp., are predominantly found near the timberline-subalpine region. These species are less palatable and were present at both sites with higher dominance (TBC) and niche width in 1998 indicating wide distribution of the species along an altitudinal gradient. These observations indicated the migration of these species towards upper slopes of alpine. Species diversity was also higher after ten years. However, it is clear that climatic changes alone are not responsible for these vegetational shifts. In fact, humaninduced changes are the main reason for habitat destruction and changes in vegetation composition of the alpine region of Garhwal Himalaya. Before final conclusions can be made, long-term studies on vegetation composition and changes are needed, especially in Himalayan region.

Regeneration dynamics, population structure, and forest composition in some ridge forests of the Western Himalaya, India

“…Barik et al (1992) and Tripathi (2002) have also suggested that low light intensity on the ground floor due to dense overhead canopy may check the growth of seedlings. Although the response of tree seedlings to the changing climate has not yet been fully explored, Nautiyal et al (2004) and Chaturvedi et al (2007) observe that changes in snow pattern and fluctuating temperature affects the distribution and phenology of some plants.…”

Terricolous lichens as indicator of anthropogenic disturbances in a high altitude grassland in Garhwal (Western Himalaya), India

“…About 4000-5000 sheep and goats, 50-70 buffalos and 30-40 horses and mules reach in the alpine pastures each year exerting heavy grazing pressure (Nautiyal et al 2004). (Table 1).…”

“…There are some sporadic studies on climate change and grazing pressures in Indian Himalayan temperate and alpine habitats, but they lack any reference of lichens (Nautiyal et al 2004). In the present study, distribution of terricolous lichens in a temperate-alpine habitat of Garhwal Himalayas is analysed along an altitudinal gradient to assess their indicator capability for habitat disturbances.…”

Three new species of Cymbella (Bacillariophyta) from high altitude lakes, China

“…Among species of the genus Cymbella, 49 were reported from northeastern China (FAN et al 1993, BAO et al 1992, 8 from Xingjiang Province, NW China (YOU et al 2005(YOU et al , 2008, 44 from India (JENA et al 2006, NAUTIYAL et al 2004, and 9 from Japan (HIRANO 1972). One new variety of Cymbella was described from Qinghai Province, NW China (LI et al 2003b).…”