Stand structure, regeneration potential and carbon storage across Moist Temperate Forest of Chopal forest division in Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

Himalayan moist temperate forests are one of the versatile and essential ecosystems for studying the biodiversity and carbon storage potential in Indian Himalayas. Therefore, a comprehensive assessment across eight sub-forest types (i.e. Ban oak forest, Moru oak forest, Moist deodar forest, Western mixed coniferous forest, Moist temperate deciduous forest, Low level blue pine forest, Kharsu oak forest and Western Himalayan upper oak fir forest) of Himalayan moist temperate forest was carried out in Chopal forest division of Himachal Pradesh to examine the species diversity, stand structure, biomass, carbon storage, regeneration status and site characteristics. The study revealed the highest tree density in the Moist deodar forest (338.10 number ha^-1) followed by Western Himalayan upper oak fir forest whereas, the lowest was recorded in Moist temperate deciduous forest. The basal area was highest in the Ban oak forest (61.02 m² ha^-1). Among vegetation indices Shannon-Wiener index (H) was highest in Western Himalayan upper oak fir forest (1.36) and lowest was in Ban oak forest (0.56). The Simpson's dominance index (D) was highest in Ban oak forest (0.63) and lowest was in Kharsu oak forest (0.25). Margalef's species richness (D_mg) was highest in the Moist temperate deciduous forest (1.38) and lowest in the Ban oak forest (0.29). Further, the stand structure analysis in all the sub-forest types revealed the highest number of trees in the mid-diameter classed i.e. 30–40 cm and 40–50 cm except for Ban oak forest, which had a greater number of trees in 80–90 cm diameter class. The total biomass (570.84 Mg ha^-1) and total carbon density (354.91 C Mg ha^-1) were found highest in Moist deodar forest whereas, the lowest was found in Moist temperate forest. The soil carbon density was highest (90.74 Mg C ha^-1) in Western Himalayan upper oak fir forest and lowest in Western mixed coniferous forest. The Moist deodar forest showed the satisfactory regeneration status among differs forest types. The soil physio-chemical properties such as soil pH, electrical conductivity and bulk density were highest in Moist temperate deciduous forest whereas, the organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were highest in Western Himalayan upper oak fir forest. Among all forest types, the Moist deodar forest showed the highest carbon storage capacity, whereas tree diversity and soil carbon density were highest in the Western Himalayan upper oak fir forest. Therefore, considering the current scenario of climate change, these two sub-forest types showed greater potential, which further needs the implication of sustainable management plans for the conservation of biodiversity and livelihood security.