Modulation of plant functional traits under essential plant nutrients during seasonal regime in natural forests of Garhwal Himalayas

Abstract

Aim: We estimated that how seasonality in conjunction with key climatic variables affects morphological and physiological plant functional traits (PFTs) and soil essential (micro and macro) nutrients in oak, pine, and mixed forests.Method: The different PFTs were tested using several laboratory methods and also using the portable photosynthesis system Li-COR 6400 XT, Lincoln NE, USA. Likewise, some chemical traits and soil nutrients were analysed by using CHNS analyser.Results: In this study, physiological traits such as CO 2 assimilation rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate were found to be signi cantly higher in the rainy season followed by summer and winter seasons. Among the different forest land uses, physiological traits and resource use e ciency have been signi cantly higher in oak forest (OF) compared to the mixed forest (MF) and pine forest (PF). Likewise, the concentration of macro-micro nutrients was also recorded higher during the rainy season. The concentration of macro-micro nutrients was higher in OF than in MF and PF in different forest land uses. Conclusion:Changes in PFTs ultimately affect the ecosystem services imparted by the different forests. Such changes lead to the local adaptation of these forests through the interaction between PFTs and soil nutrients.

Species identity and resource availability explain variation among above and below-ground functional traits in Himalayan temperate forests

“…This exerts a direct influence on nutrient accessibility to plants, modulated by interactions with factors such as topography, climatic conditions, forest types, etc. (Kumar et al, 2021a). Broad-leaved and coniferous species in the Himalayan region are characterized by distinct seasonality of precipitation and temperature that affects the nutrient productivity (Ralhan and Singh, 1987).…”