Biomass production of herb species in broad leaf forests in Kumaun Himalaya, India

Abstract

The study focuses on the dynamics and biomass production (g·m⁻²) of understory (herbaceous) plant community under broad-leaf forests consisting of Quercus leucotrichophora (Banj-oak), Quercus floribunda (Tilonj-oak) and Quercus semicarpifolia (Kharsu-oak), respectively in central Himalaya, India. With increasing altitudes, the density and biomass decreased significantly across the three types of forests. Banj-oak forest harboured the maximum density and biomass among the other sampling sites. The mean density of herb species in two contrasting orientation differed significantly (p<0.05), showing relatively higher density on slope orientation (west). Across the sites, total production declined significantly with increasing altitude of the sites (p<0.05), and Banj-oak forest presented the highest production.

Keywords

orientation / altitude / forest type / species composition / density / biomass

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