Impact of Firewood Extraction on Tree Structure, Regeneration and Woody Biomass Productivity in a Trekking Corridor of the Sikkim Himalaya

Abstract

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Distribution of butterflies along a trekking corridor in the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, Sikkim, Eastern Himalayas

“…This might have created microclimate in such habitat and the similarity is crucial for sensitive taxa like butterfly. But in present study, it showed contrasting habitat variations in terms of temperature and vegetation between the two forest conditions (degraded and undisturbed) and forest types (WTBF and CTSF), both in structure and composition (Chettri et al 2002). However, this contrary finding could be related to the higher number of butterfly in the undisturbed forests in the CTSF.…”

“…This could be related to higher number of host plants and nectar resources in the degraded conditions compared to undisturbed condition. It was observed that in the degraded conditions, there were higher plant diversity and productivity (Chettri et al 2002). This could be as a result of enhanced photosynthesis due to availability of higher light intensity as a result of opening of crown cover (Davidar et al1993).…”

“…The second set of data were collected with butterfly species and their numbers along the 19 permanent plots measuring 30x40m for one year stretched over 1998-1999. These plots were established along the trekking corridor based on forest resources utilisation pattern by the local communities and tourism entrepreneurs to monitor tree species diversity, regeneration and woody biomass dynamics (see Chettri et al 2002). Among the 19 plots, four each was laid in degraded forests (canopy cover <40%) and undisturbed forests (canopy cover >40%) within the warm temperate broadleaf forest (1780-2350 m), and five and six in degraded and undisturbed forest respectively in cool temperate sub-alpine forest (2350-3600 m).These degraded and undisturbed forests were categorized on the basis of additional disturbance indicators such as higher intensity of trampling by domestic cattle, higher firewood and fodder extraction, low regeneration etc.…”

“…Though, the state is rich in biodiversity, in the recent past, the forested habitats have witnessed immense human pressures in terms of resources extraction and habitat destruction (Chettri et al 2002, Sundriyal and Sharma 1996, Sundriyal et al 1994, Chettri and Sharma 2006. Other drivers of changes such as climate change (Chettri et al 2010, Chaudhary et al 2011, land use and land cover changes (Tambe et al 2012) are bringing additional challenges to conservation communities and management authorities in the state.…”

“…The trail, which falls within Prek Chu watershed in west Sikkim, is an important repository of biodiversity including butterfly species (Chettri et al 2001, Bhattacharya et al 2010, Chettri 2010, Sathyakumar et al 2011. However, disturbances such as firewood extraction, fodder lopping and cattle grazing are worldwide problem and have increased during the last two decades in this trekking corridor due to growth in tourism and population (Maharana et al 2000, Chettri et al 2002, Chettri and Sharma 2006. These have resulted in the fragmentation and deterioration of wildlife habitats (Chettri et al 2005, Chettri 2010).…”