Composition, structure, and regeneration potential of Himalayan cypress (Cupressus torulosa D. Don ex Lamb.) forests in the Kumaun Himalayas

Vegetation is a critical and integral component of ecosystems. Conducting a floristic inventory and regeneration profiling provides valuable insights into the current and future composition of forest ecosystems. Therefore, an attempt has been made to assess the floristic composition, diversity, and regeneration potential of Himalayan Cypress (Cupressus torulosa D. Don ex Lamb.) stands in the Kumaun region of the Central Himalayas, distributed across an elevation range of 1,684 to 2,320 m asl. Within each Cypress stand, a 1-hectare area was randomly divided into 20 circular plots, each having a radius of 5.65 m. Tree, sapling, and seedling data were recorded from circular plots, while shrubs and herbs were sampled using 5 × 5 m and 1 × 1 m quadrats, respectively, through systematic sampling. A total of 120 circular plots (trees), 240 quadrats for shrub, and 360 for herb were sampled. The study recorded 145 plant species from 53 families, with herbs being the most dominant, followed by shrubs and trees. Species richness ranged from 37 to 71 species, and tree densities varied from 440 to 1,050 trees ha⁻¹. Shannon diversity (H’) was highest for herbs (1.82–2.64) and lowest for trees (0.12–0.79). Richness and diversity varied significantly with elevation; the richness and diversity of trees increased, and that of shrub and herbs decreased. Tree species richness showed a positive association with soil organic carbon. Most sites exhibited a bell-shaped population structure reflecting dominance of mid-sized individuals and fair regeneration. The prevalence of Quercus spp. and C. deodara seedlings over Cypress indicates a shift toward late-successional forest stages. Cypress being an early-successional species can be considered a viable option for the restoration of degraded landscapes.