Patterns of Phenological Characteristics of Important Tree Species of Kumaun Himalaya

Abstract

Phenology is one of the simplest and most effective study to understanding the role of climate change in recent scenario. A number of biotic and abiotic drivers controlled the timing and duration of various phenophases in same or different species. Temperature, rainfall and photoperiod are key drivers which adversely affect the phenology of woody plant. The study sites were conductedat 413 and 2345m elevation in Nainital forest division of Kumaun Himalaya. The phenological study were carried out onShores robusta, Mallotus philippinensis, Pinus roxburghii, Myrica esculenta,Quercus leucotrichophora and Rhododendron arboreum. The phenological observations were made at 15 days interval for low activity period and weekly in the periods of high activity. Phenological records were made for four phenophases, viz., leafing, leaf drop, flowering and seed fall.The leaf fall in S. robusta started from March 2nd week and was complete by the end of April. In M. philippinensis the fruiting commenced from the beginning of December and seed fall was complete by the 3rd week of April. In M. esculenta male flowers appear from August end and flowering was complete by October end.In R. arboreum seed dispersal started from February end and all the capsules had opened by mid-March. It is apparent from the present study that the phenological events of species controlled/shifted due to climatic irregularities and temperaturerise and these phenomena showed worldwide. Microclimatic condition alsoresponsible for controlling/shifting the phenological patterns of same or different species.

Phenological variations in relation to climatic variables of moist temperate forest tree species of western Himalaya, India

“…[ 35 ] in Uttarakhand, however, in R . arboreum it was reported during the 2nd week of February [ 34 ] in Uttarakhand and during May [ 36 ] in Arunachal Pradesh. In M .…”

“…leucotrichophora started during 4th week of February [ 35 ] and 1st week of April [ 34 ] in Uttarakhand, however, R . arboreum flowering started during 1st week of February [ 34 ] in Uttarakhand and February [ 36 ] in Arunachal Pradesh, and for M . esculenta it starts during1 st and 2nd week of August [ 34 , 36 ] in Uttarakhand ( Table 3 b).…”

“…arboreum flowering started during 1st week of February [ 34 ] in Uttarakhand and February [ 36 ] in Arunachal Pradesh, and for M . esculenta it starts during1 st and 2nd week of August [ 34 , 36 ] in Uttarakhand ( Table 3 b). In Himalayan region, rainfall has been reported to more strongly regulate the phenological events (i.e.…”