Research Article | Published: 31 July 2025

Regeneration patterns of tree species across altitudinal zones in the Anni Forest Division of Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh, India

Nisha, Raj Kumar and Rhythm Goswami

Journal of Non-Timber Forest Products | Volume: 32 | Issue: 2 | Page No. 148-154 | 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps2000-2025-528AW9 | Cite this article

Abstract

This research work assessed the regeneration status of tree species across three altitudinal ranges (800–1600 m, 1600–2400 m, and 2400–3200 m) in the Anni Forest Division of Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh, by evaluating densities of seedlings, saplings, and adult trees. In zone-I, Melia azedarach emerged as best performer with 300 individuals/ha particularly at Shamesha site. In zone-II, Cedrus deodara recorded highest total regeneration with 290 individuals/ha particularly at Gugra site. In zone-III, Quercus semecarpifolia recorded highest total regeneration with 230 individuals/ha particularly at Lajheri site. It was found that the overall regeneration trend was positive as most of the species showed healthy levels of seedling and sapling density across all zones. Weak regeneration of some dominant species alongside expansion of less dominant or rare species indicates potential future shifts in forest composition.

Keywords

Anni Forest Division, Density, Regeneration, Saplings, Seedlings

Access Options

250/-

Buy Full Access in HTML Format

Instant access to the full article.

Get access to the full version of this article. Buy Full Access in HTML Format

References

1. Aswal, B.S. and Mehrotra, B.N., 1994. Flora of Lahaul-Spiti (A Cold Desert in North-West Himalaya). Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun.

Google Scholar

2. Bandopadhyay, S., 2016. Does elevation impact local level climate change? An analysis based on fifteen years of daily diurnal data and time series forecasts. Pacific  Science Review A: Natural Science and Engineering, 18(3), pp.241–253.

Google Scholar

3. Chakraborty, A., Saha, S., Sachdeva, K. and Joshi, P.K., 2018. Vulnerability of forests in the Himalayan region to climate change impacts and anthropogenic disturbances: A systematic review. Regional Environmental Change, 18(6), pp.1783–1799.

Google Scholar

4. Chawla, A., Rajkumar, S., Singh, K.N., Lal, B., Singh, R.D. and Thukral, A.K., 2008. Plant species diversity along an altitudinal gradient of Bhabha Valley in western Himalaya. Journal of Mountain Science 5(2), pp.157–177.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-008-0079-y

Google Scholar

5. Chowdhery, H.J., and Wadhwa, B.M., 1984. Flora of Himachal Pradesh. New Delhi.

6. Cui, H.T., Liu, H.Y. and Dai, J.U., 2005. Research on Mountain Ecology and Alpine Treeline. Beijing, China, Science Press.

Google Scholar

7. Dansereau, P., 1960. The origin and growth of plant communities. In Growth in living systems. International Symposium., Purudue University, Newyork. Science and Education, pp.576–603.

8. Dhaliwal, D.S. and Sharma, M., 1999. Flora of Kullu District (Himachal Pradesh). Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun.

9. Dutta, G. and Devi, A., 2013. Plant diversity, population structure, and regeneration status in disturbed tropical forests in Assam, northeast India. Journal of Forestry Research, 24(4), pp.715–720.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-013-0409-y

Google Scholar

10. Eilu, G. and Obua, J., 2005. Tree condition and natural regeneration in disturbed sites of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, southwestern Uganda. Tropical Ecology, 46, pp.99–111.

Google Scholar

11. Ilorkar, V.M. and Khatri, P.K., 2003. Phytosociological study of Navegoan National Park. (Maharashtra). Indian Forester, 129(377–387).

Google Scholar

12. Khumbongmayum, A.D., Khan, M.L. and Tripathi, R.S., 2006. Biodiversity conservation in sacred groves of Manipur north east India: Population structure and regeneration status of woody species. Biodiversity and Conservation, 15, pp.2439–2456.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-004-6901-0

Google Scholar

13. Knight, D.H., 1963. A distance method for constructing forest profile diagrams and obtaining structural data. Tropical Ecology, 4, pp.89–94.

Google Scholar

14. Kumar, A. and  Ram, J., 2005. Anthropogenic disturbances and plant biodiversity in forests of Uttaranchal, Central Himalaya. Biodiversity and Conservation14, pp.309–331.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-004-5047-4

Google Scholar

15. Lone, H.A. and Pandit, A.K., 2007. Impact of grazing on community features and biomass of herbaceous species in Langate Forest Division of Kashmir. Indian Forester, pp.222–223.

Google Scholar

16. Mishra, A.K. and Singh, R.P., 2017. Shift in plant species distribution and regeneration potential due to global warming and climate change in Himalayan region. EnviroNews, 23(4). http://isebindia. com/17-20/17-10-2. html; accessed on 10 September 2018.

Google Scholar

17. Misra, R., 1968. Ecology Workbook. Calcutta, India: Oxford and IBH.

18. Nair, N.C., 1977. Flora of Bushahar Himalaya. International Bioscience Publishers, Hisar, Madras. 360.

19. Polanski, S., Fallah, B., Befort, D.J., Prasad, S. and Cubasch, U., 2014. Regional moisture change over India during the past millennium: A comparison of multiproxy reconstructions and climate model simulations. Global Planetary Change, 122, pp.176–185.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloplacha.2014.08.016

Google Scholar

20. Polunin, O. and Stainton, A., 1984. Flowers of the Himalaya. Oxford University Press, Delhi. 580.

Google Scholar

21. Samant, S.S. and Joshi, H.C., 2005. Plant diversity and conservation status of Nanda Devi National Park and comparisons with highland National Parks of Indian Himalayan Region. International Journal of Biodiversity Science and Management, 1(1), pp.65–73.  https://doi.org/10.1080/17451590509618081

Google Scholar

22. Samant, S.S. and Pant, S., 2006. Diversity, distribution pattern and conservation status of the plants used in liver diseases/ailments in Indian Himalayan region. Journal of Mountain Science3(1), pp.28–47.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-006-0028-6

Google Scholar

23. Samant, S.S., Dhar, U. and Rawal, R.S., 2000b. Assessment of Fuel resource diversity and utilization patterns in Askot Wildlife Sanctuary in Kumaon Himalaya, India, for conservation and management. Environmental Conservation, 27(1), pp.5–13.  https://doi.org/10.1017/S0376892900000023

Google Scholar

24. Shankar, U., 2001. A case of high tree diversity in a Sal (Shorea robusta)- dominated lowland forest of eastern Himalaya: Floristic composition, regeneration and conservation. Current Science, 81(7), pp.776–786.

Google Scholar

25. Sharma, C.M., Mishra, A.K., Krishan, R., Tiwari, O.P., Rana, Y.S., 2016. Variation in vegetation composition, biomass production and carbon storage in ridgetop forests of high mountains of Garhwal Himalaya. Journal of Sustainable Forestry, 35(2), pp.119–132.  https://doi.org/10.1080/10549811.2015.1118387

Google Scholar

26. Sharma, C.M., Mishra, A.K., Prakash, O., Dimri, S. and Baluni, P., 2014. Assessment of forest structure and woody plant regeneration on ridge tops at Upper Bhagirathi Basin in Garhwal Himalaya. Tropical Plant Research, 1, pp.62–71.

Google Scholar

27. Sharma, C.M., Mishra, A.K., Tiwari, O.P., Krishan, R., Rana, Y.S., 2017. Effect of altitudinal gradients on forest structure and composition on ridge tops in Garhwal Himalaya. Energy Ecology and Environment, 2(6), pp.404–417.

Google Scholar

28. Sharma, C.M., Tiwari, O.P., Rana, Y.S., Krishan, R. and Mishra, A.K., 2018. Elevational behaviour on dominance–diversity, regeneration, biomass and carbon storage in ridge forests of Garhwal Himalaya, India. Forest Ecology and Management 424, pp.105–120.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2018.04.038

Google Scholar

29. Singh, S.K. and Rawat, G.S., 2000. Flora of Great Himalayan National Park, Himachal Pradesh. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun.

Google Scholar

30. Slik, J.W.F., Kebler, P.J.A. and Van Welzen, P.C., 2003. Macaranga and Mallotus species (Euphorbiaceae) as indicators for disturbance in the mixed lowland dipterocarp forest of east Kalimantan (Indonesia). Ecological Indicators, 2, pp.311–324.  https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-160X(02)00057-2

Google Scholar

31. Woodward, F.I. and Kelly, C.K., 2008. Responses of global plant diversity capacity to changes in carbon dioxide concentration and climate. Ecology Letters, 11, pp.1229–1237.

About this article

How to cite

Nisha, Kumar, R. and Goswami, R., 2025. Regeneration patterns of tree species across altitudinal zones in the Anni Forest Division of Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh, India. Journal of Non-Timber Forest Products, 32(2), pp.148-154. https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps2000-2025-528AW9

Publication History

Manuscript Received on 04 January 2025

Manuscript Revised on 14 July 2025

Manuscript Accepted on 21 July 2025

Manuscript Published on 31 July 2025

Share this article

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: