Patterns of litterfall and return of nutrients across anthropogenic disturbance gradients in three subalpine forests of west Himalaya, India |
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| Authors: | Sanjay Gairola Ranbeer S Rawal U Dhar |
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| Institution: | (1) School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Westville, Private Bag x54001, Durban, South Africa;(2) G. B. Plant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Uttarakhand, India |
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| Abstract: | The study was conducted to improve our understanding of the effects of forest disturbance on litterfall and patterns of nutrient
return in three subalpine forest ecosystems (i.e. Betula utilis-dominated, Abies pindrow-dominated, and Acer mixed broadleaf) of Indian west Himalaya. Total litterfall (t ha−1 yr−1) ranged between 2.6–3.6 and 2.1–2.6 for pristine and degraded stands, respectively. Whereas total litterfall decrease from
pristine to degraded stand was about 25–30% in B. utilis and Acer mixed-broadleaf forests, the level of disturbance did not affect total litterfall in A. pindrow (coniferous) forest. Nutrient (N, P, and K) concentrations in litter components of the forests studied also varied across
forest types and disturbance intensities. For pristine stands, among all the forests, return of total nutrients via litterfall
was higher. The study revealed that patterns of litterfall and nutrient return in the forests studied were sensitive to intensity
of disturbance, although sensitivity varied among forest types and nutrient contents. Increased intensity of disturbance greatly
affected the total annual amount of nutrient return in broadleaf forests. Maximum impact was recorded in B. utilis forest with a significant decline in nutrient return from pristine to degraded stands (i.e. 64% for N, 38% for P, and 67%
for K). Corresponding values for decline in Acer mixed forest were 17, 13, and 33% for N, P, and K, respectively, whereas in A. Pindrow forest N return was 15% higher and P return was 33% lower. This study indicates that the litterfall and litter nutrient concentrations
in these forests are sensitive to the intensity of disturbance, which affects the amount of nutrient return. This will have
a strong bearing on forest nutrient cycling. |
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| Keywords: | Anthropogenic disturbance Himalaya Litterfall Nutrient return Subalpine forest |
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