Effect of stand structure and aspect on the regeneration of banj oak (Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus) forest along disturbance in Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

Abstract A study was conducted in an oak forest, to find out the relationship of stand structure, aspect and regeneration of species. Among all disturbance stands the density of banj oak Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus individuals was peaked at 40–50 cm and 50–60 cm diameter at breast height (DBH) classes and low tree density was observed with the increasing DBH classes. North aspect showed higher density for most of girth classes as compared to south facing aspect. Among all the stands, low seedling density was recorded in undisturbed stand at south facing aspect as compared to the moderately and highly disturbed stands. The tree density of Q. leucotrichophora was higher in the undisturbed stand followed by moderately disturbed and highly disturbed stand. But in case of seedling density the higher density were observed at undisturbed and highly disturbed stand in both of the aspects.