Forest dynamics under various disturbance regimes in Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, India

Forest dynamics under various disturbance regimes in Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, India | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 30 August 2025 V1 Latest version Share on Forest dynamics under various disturbance regimes in Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, India Authors : Shikha Semwal [email protected] , Hind Kuniyal 0009-0004-3887-064X , Om Tiwari , and Chandra Sharma Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.175655523.31584526/v1 178 views 123 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Forests in the Western Himalayas provide numerous ecosystem services, but unsustainable utilization and human disturbances threaten their long-term sustainability. A reconnaissance survey in the temperate region of Western Himalayas assessed tree species composition, regeneration, and structure across various disturbance regimes. The study involved 180 sample plots, laid out randomly and systematically along altitudinal, aspect, and disturbance gradients over the course of a year. Species richness was highest in mid-altitudinal broad-leaved forests. Tree density ranged from 550 to 1450 trees ha⁻¹, and total basal cover values varied between 52.83 and 118.24 m² ha⁻¹. Rhododendron arboreum and Lyonia ovalifolia were the most widely distributed tree species in the study area. Diversity decreased with increasing disturbance and altitude, and showed a positive correlation with canopy cover and tree diversity (r = 0.659). Canopy cover, in particular, provided a favorable environment for juvenile development, as indicated by its positive correlation with sapling density (r = 0.494) and seedling density (r = 0.459). Conversely, it showed a negative correlation with the TBC and density of cut stumps (-0.605 and -0.500, respectively). An asymmetrical, inverse ‘J’ shaped distribution (positively skewed) reflected the scarcity of mature trees (individuals of higher dbh) in almost all forest types. Recruitment of new tree species outside conventional habitats may result in compositional changes in many forest types. The study concluded that minimizing human interventions is crucial to prevent habitat loss and that afforestation is needed for species with low importance values and no regeneration. Title page Type of manuscript: Original research Full title of article: Forest dynamics under various disturbance regimes in Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, India Running head: Disturbance and forest dynamics Full name of authors and Emails: Shikha Semwal* ( [email protected] ) Hind Bhushan Kuniyal ( [email protected] ) Om Prakash Tiwari ( [email protected] ) Chandra Mohan Sharma ( [email protected] ) Affiliation and mailing address of authors: Department of Botany, Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, Srinagar Garhwal, Uttarakhand-246174, India Full name of corresponding author: Shikha Semwal Mailing address of corresponding authors: Department of Botany, HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar Garhwal, Uttarakhand-246174, India Email address: [email protected] . +91 9760157513 ORCID Ids: S. Semwal* https://orcid.org/0009-0003-1457-2405 H.B. Kuniyal https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3887-064X O. P. Tiwari http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9389-2076 C. M. Sharma https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1553-0082 No. of tables: 05 No. of figures: 05 Supplementary Material File (competing_interest_,funding,_author_contribution.docx) Download 12.44 KB File (manuscript.docx) Download 1.32 MB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 30 August 2025 Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Keywords description ecological experiment ecosystem ecosystem ecology ecosystem function natural history terrestrial theory Authors Affiliations Shikha Semwal [email protected] HNB Garwal University View all articles by this author Hind Kuniyal 0009-0004-3887-064X HNB Garwal University View all articles by this author Om Tiwari HNB Garwal University View all articles by this author Chandra Sharma HNB Garhwal University View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 178 views 123 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Shikha Semwal, Hind Kuniyal, Om Tiwari, et al. Forest dynamics under various disturbance regimes in Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, India. Authorea . 30 August 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.175655523.31584526/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. 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