Vegetation and Climate in Garhwal Himalaya During Last 4,000 Years

Palaeobolani.H 49 (2000) : 501-507 0031-0174/2000/50 1-507 $2.00

Vegetation and climate in Garhwal Himalaya during last 4,000 years

CHHAYA SHARMA, M.S. CHAUHAN ANDG.RAJAGOPALAN

Birbal Salmi Institute of Palaeobotany, 53 University Road, Lucknmv 226 007, India.

(Received 22 December 1999; revised version accepted 24 August 2000)

ABSTRACT

Sharma C Chauhan MS & Rajagopalan G 2000 Vegetation and climate in Garhwal Himalaya during last 4,000 years. Palaeobotanist 49(3) : 501-507.

Pollen analysis of3 metre dug out trench (Profile-I) from Deoria Tal, situated at an altitude of2.727 m a.s.1. in Garhwal Himalaya has revealed that 4.000 yrs ago the vegetation was dominated by Oak forests. associated with other broad-leaved elements such as Alnus, Rhododendron, Belliia and Ulmus. together with shrubby elements- Viburnulll, Rosaceae and Oleaceae. It retlects to the warm temperate and humid climate prevailing in the region. Pollen of Pinus roxburghii in the sediments is attributed to their transport to the lake site from the surrounding lower elevations where the Chirpine forests exist. The inference is well con'oborated by the study of large number of surface samples gathered from different altitudes and ecological situations in Garhwal Himalaya (Sharma. 1985a). Decline in Quercus together with its associated broad leaved taxa is witnessed during 3.200-1,700 yrs BP with a corresponding increase in grass pollen. It demonstrates the deterioration in the climate which turned less moist than berore. The climatic change is funher corroborated by the simultaneous expansion of Chirpine forests in the neighbouring lower hill slopes. Around 1.700 yrs BP. amelioration in climate to earlier existed condition is registered as evidenced by increase in Quercus and other associated broad-leaved taxa.

Though the evidence of anthropogenic activities is noticed right from the beginning of the sequence. but intense agricultural practices around 3.000 yrs BP. is evidenced by enhanced frequencies of pollen of grasses. Cheno/Am, Brassicaceae. Artemisia and Urticaceae. supported by the frequent recovery ofcharcoal pieces from the succession.

Key-words-Late-Quaternary, Palynostratigraphy. Pal aeovegetat ion, Pal aeocl imate. Garhwal Himalaya.

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INTRODUCTION The herbaceous vegetation in these forests is quite gregarious and is constituted of Anaphalis adnata, Potentilla EORIA TAL is located in the temperate belt at an fulgens, Pedicularis sp., Berginia ligulata, Swel1ia chirta, D elevation of 2,727 m a.s.l., about 8 km east of Okhi math Geranium nepalense, Agremonia sp.. Aster peduncularis. Town in district Chamoli between 75°5' Long. and 30°5' La!. Sedwll trijidum, Saxifraga diversifolia, etc. The narrow margin The lake is almost circular in outline and has a circumference of the lake on the western flank has meagre marshy vegetation of 150 m, having steep raised margin on eastern flank, devoid comprising mainly Cyperus rotwldus, Aml/lania baccifera. of any surrounding marsh Qr swampy ground (Fig. 1). The Eriocaulon sp. However, many ferns viz., Asplellium sp., lake is encircled by high mountains covered with Oak forests. Dryopteris sp., Adiantum sp" Polypodiul1l sp., often form It is fed by subterranean water source and held sacred by local gregarious patches inside the forest, preferring moist and damp populace. situations. The arboreals which are met with quite frequently in and CLIMATE around villages or settlements are Ficus roxburghii, F glomerata, Celtis australis, Grewia optiva, Boehmeria The present climate of this region is temperate and is platyphylla, Cedrela toona, Citrus sp. typical montane type with well defined rainy, winter and Chirpine forests cover the lower hill slopes of the adjoining summer seasons. The maximum annual mean temperature or surrounding mountain ranges which are almost devoid of ranges from lS oC to 25°C, but during winter it goes down to any undergrowth. SoC and occasionally even below O°C, when extremely cold. The lake proper, i.e., Deoria Tal remains covered with a blanket

) 1 0 of ice during the months of January and February though on \~ 79 78o HI MAC,- ~HAL PRADESH "\ the immediate lower hill slopes, snow fall is rare. Average ./ J\~_",-_\.J annual rainfall is about 2,000 mm. /,'- f SATTAL \. - TRI Inn; ~ GANGO ';;~ARKANTHA'.(j,' ~""GOMUKH,

YAMNOTRI II HA..~._- ..,dJ.0 ~ VEGETATION ~ ~Z' / L:i<;;j,,'@ The hill slopes around the lake are largely covered with Oak forests. Quercus semecarpifolia is the chief element, associated with Rhododendron arboreum, Aesculus indica, Alnus nepalensis, Acer caesium, Fraxinus excelsior, Ulmus wallichiana, Myrsine africana, Salix elegans, Pyrus mallus, etc. Other arboreals, such as Myrica esculanta, Lyonia ovalifolia, Symplocos and Engelhardtia bellutianum have INDEX sporadi.c distribution in these forests. Shrubby vegetation • TO'll'''''SWIP comprises Berberis asiatica, B. chirta, Rosa moschata, Rubus .. SIT&: OF INV£!,f1Go\l'IOH fj UALIE"A 1~V'f'5TIGAT£DSITES ellipticus, Lonicera spp., Crataegus cranulata, Zanthoxylum • 'SURFACE SAlo4Pl[ rz,z,GlACIEQ alatum, Viburnum fruticosa, etc.

Fig I-Sketch Map of Garhwal showing the area 01 slully. SHARMA et 01- VEGETATION AND CLIMATE IN GARHWAL HIMALAYA 503

MATERIAL AND METHODS 5.0 -r------A 3 m deep trench was dug out very close to the selected eastern margin, and 60 samples were collected for pollen 4.0· analysis. For modern pollen rain study, 8 surface samples (moss cushions) were also collected from the adjoining Oak forests. Ii 3.0 ~ The lithological succession in the trench did not exhibit ~ ..CD any marked stratification and was composed of sandy-clay, clayey-sand, sand mixed with embedded charcoal pieces and _~ pebbles. Lithological details are as under: ~20'1;7'<4'.( Depth Lithology "i .' (in em) 0-35 Sandy-clay with charcoal pieces and rootlets 0.0 , III,, ------I 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 35-65 Sand-clay with less charcoal pieces and rootlets Depth al ....mpl. tram surl.c. (ems) 65-85 Sandy-clay with charcoal pieces 85-130 Sandy-clay with pebbles Fig. 2-Radiocarbon ages of sediment profile, Deoria Tal. 130-205 Sandy-clay with charcoal pieces 205-225 Clay mixed with sand, charcoal pieces and pebbles 225-265 Clay mixed with sand and big stone pieces The rate of sedimentation as calibrated from radiocarbon 265-300 Clay mixed with sand, charcoal, pebbles and big dates is not uniform (Fig. 2). During the period of 3800±90 to stone pieces 251O±90 yrs BP, covering a depth of 110-300 cm in the Retrieval of pol len/spores from the surface and profile lithocolumn, the rate of sedimentation is 13-4 crn! 100 years. samples has been done by standard procedure (Erdtman, 1943), The coarse sediment deposit during this interval demonstrates using 10% aqueous KOH solution, 40% HF and acetolysis its quick deposition rate. This sedimentation rate gradually mixture (9: I, acetic anhydride and Conc. sulphuric acid). The declines to 4·6 crn! 100 yrs between 251O±90 to 650±90 yrs pollen counts per sample range from 150-200 and the recovered BP in the upper half (110-0 cm) of the profile. taxa are categorized as trees, shrubs, herbs and ferns and are arranged in the same sequence in pollen diagram as well as MODERN POLLEN RAIN STUDY pollen spectra To generate the needed data base for comparative modern RADIOCARBON DATES pollen/vegetation relationship, eight surface samples (moss cushions) gathered from the temperate Oak forests in the Seven radiocarbon dates determined for the profile are vicinity of the lake site were pollen analysed. Th'e- pollen as per detailed below: assemblage (Fig. 3) shows overall dominance of arboreals

Depth Lithology /4C Dates (yrs BP), Calibrated ages Calibrated age ranges (in em) TIf2= 5730± 40 (Stuiver& Reill1el; 1993)

25-40 Sandy-clay with BS-1180 650±90 608·5 670-547 charcoal pieces 65-80 Sandy-clay with BS-1170 1670±90 1525 685-1410 charcoal pieces 110-125 Sandy-clay BS-1188 2510±90 2551·5 2745-2358 160-175 Sandy-clay with BS-1171 2790±90 2781 2918-2910 charcoal pieces 200-215 Clay mixed with BS-II72 3130±120 3308'5 3342-3275 sand,charcoal pieces and pebbles 230-245 Clay mixed with BS-II73 3300±100 3465 3625-3359 big stone pieces 285-300 Clay mixed with BS-1169 3800±90 4020 4149-3891 charcoal pieces 504 THE PALAEOBOTANIST though with fluctuating frequencies and exhibits coherence with their actual composition in the existing forests. The major arboreal taxa are Quercus (15-30%), Alnus, Rhododendron (5-10% each) and Betula (3-10%). The high frequencies of encountered Pinus pollen ranging from 14-38% denote its drifted nature since the taxon in question does not grow in the C1d"'N proximity of the lake. However, good Chirpine forests are _ d'" confined to the hill slopes adjacent to lake. Among the broad leaved associates of Quercus; Corylus (5%), JuglallS (3%) j II•• .~... t (3B111:U)Nt:l3,t and Myrica (2%) remain under-represented as compared to their factual proportion in these forests which is attributed to t ~~I~I~I~I~I~I their low pollen productivity and probably also for their poor II E (3J31()N0~)NlJ3.:> preservation in the sediments. Viburnum (2-3%). Rosaceae =::J I::...- S3010HdWAN --=:J I::...- N01380W"'JOd and Strobilanthes (2% each) are prominent shrubby elements --=:J --=:J _ I::...- "'1"'10lJ represented faithfully in the pollen spectra, whereas Berberis, I::...- 3"'3J"'I1'1 --=:J •• I::...- 3",3;)"'ld'" Fabaceae and Oleaceae on the contrary are poorly represented --=:J I::...- "'1nWllJd --=:J I::...- X3~nlJ regardless to their frequent occurrence in the forests. Many --=:J I::...-WIl13B31d wnN08A10d shrubby taxa viz., Woodfordiafruticosa, Rubus ellipticus, Rosa --=:J _ I::...- wnN08A10d moschata and several others remain totally unrepresented. -=:J_ I::...- 31f3J"'1nJNnNl1lJ --=:J _ I::...- WIllJlJl111HJ Their sparse distribution and low pollen production are --=:J _ I::...- I1KJNI11N30-o --=:J • probably important factors responsible for not making any __ c- 3113JI1811tt~IXI1S impact on the local pollen rain. --=:J c- 1fl11JN3JDd --=:J • I::...- 3113JI1IWI11 Grasses, sedges and Cheno/ Am are the major non ..=J I::...- 3113J1118lJOHdn3 arboreal constituents of the pollen rain with representation --=:J I::...- 3113JI1~I1W --=:J I::...- I10l1snr corresponding more or less to their frequencies in the existing --=:J _ I::...- 3113;)I1JlllJn ground vegetation. Potentilla, Saxifraga, Ranunculaceae and -=:J I::...- 311lJ01,Hln811

-~. I::...- 311t:101~l1nanJ Asteraceae despite their preponderance fail to demonstrate their ~. . - . true frequencies in the local vegetation as majority of these _. - .... I::...- I1IS!W3WI1 =::J I::...- 3113J1111AHdOAlJ11J --:J _ taxa are entomophilous. However, the high values of monolete ••• I::...- 1'/11/0N3HJ as well as trilete fern spores portray true preponderance of --::J . . • • E 3113Jl1t:13dAJ ferns and some other pteridophytes inside the forests =:J • particularly in damp and moist habitats. ~I I I I - I I I t 3113JI1Od --=:J_ I::...- 3113JI1I111~ --=:J _ I::...- SllJ3BlJ311 DESCRIPTION OF POLLEN DIAGRAM --=:J • • • + - I::...- 3113JI1S0lJ .3 I E 3113;)11310 --=:J __ - Pollen diagram from Deoria Tal (Fig. 4) has been divided I::...- S3HJN111180tlJS ~f1Nttn8IA into three well defined pollen zones from bottom upwards on --=:J • I::...- --=:J C- 3113J111ntl the basis of fluctuations in the frequencies of some major --=:J I::...- SOJ01d~AS --=:J arboreal and non-arboreal taxa. These pollen zones have been I::...- 11IJ11JI1 prefixed with "DT" after the name of the investigated site, i.e., Deoria Tal and are described below: ~Idllll,~snNld

--=:J l::... I1JllJAW Pollen Zone DT-! (300-250 cm)-Quercus-Pinus --=:J_ I::...- SN1110nr Rhododendron-Alnus-Ulmus assemblage [ j I ••• NOlJON30000Htl The bottom pollen zone is radiocarbon dated to 3,800±90 ~ ~ yrs BP (285-300 cm), depicting the dominance of Quercus III I I III SnJ/:l3nO (20-80%), followed by Ulmus (2-6%), Alnus (2-5%), Belula .3 I_ I E snNW --=:J ••••• I::...- (1-5%), f?hododendron (1-4%), whereas, Juglans (1-5%), SnlJ03J --=:J_ __ I::...- snv

~ Rosaceae (2-5% each), Fabaceae and Berberis (1 % each) are lilNOZ N]1lOd' the represented components of shrubby vegetation. Poaceae (6-22%), Cyperaceae (7-/1 %), Cheno/Am (2-7%), Altemisia IiHI:~~~ (4-5%) are present consistently besides, sporadic encounter I. Iltl I Ie , I I' t (3l]l'tH) NtllJl ofTubulitlorae, Caryophyllaceae (2-4% each), Urticaceae (2 3%) and Thalictrllln (2%). I II II III II I If""'ONO.'N". Fern spores (monolete 20-26% and trilete 2-4%) showing e... SJOIC)HdlolJ,N c... NO! :J!)OM"LQd more or less uniform values are encountered quite frequently c... J'flJ ...llll c.. ]'f]J'fId'f throughout the zone. c.. -cit ..."N00A1Od c..wnlJl]"W~ The APINAP ratio retlects the closed nature of broad ...:JI c.. l't'lJ.ln:>NnNY., ...:J c:... I1n~.LJI1"'~L leaved Oak forests in the region. --" c:... ",.,])IN01 --" c:... Sll'"~N''' --" c... ."ntotilld --"I c:... ]'f']JYKl'r" -c: --" c... 'f'1;)u,snr Pollen Zone DT-II (250-85 cm)-Quercus-Pinus J'. --" c... ]'f']:)'f'!)'nlJlnS Cl --" c... 11llS'f']NWOJ a. --" ~ c... Xl ..."tI Alnus-Betula-Rosaceae-Sedges-assemblage --" ----...a c... ]'f'])'f"IWn C --" c... ]'t']J'fJISS"U' 0 ...:J_ c... ]'t'tlO'lll1n'.)ll Q. ::::J E )'nO'llllnanl This zone is provided with four radiocarbon dates '0 c: ::::J---..l.-...... E YIS,"]UlIY 3,300±100 yrs BP (230-245 cm), 3,130±120 yrs BP (200 E ...:J c... J'rl:>""Al1dO~Y:l C; ::::J E 1

Juglans disappears at the beginning of the zone but ~ ::::J tllJ. .. • C 0.. compensated by the first appearance of Symplocos (2%). ~ snNlcf I t:==c.. SN.''J('Ir However, Salix, Carpinus, Ephedra and Meliaceae do not :. c.. NOtlONlOOQOHtI exhibit any significant change in their frequencies and many

Pollen Zone DT-lII (85-0 cm)-Quercus-Pinus Fig. 4-Pollen diagram from Deoria Tal, Garhwal Himalaya. Alnus-Betula-Rosaceae-Grasses-Sedges-Chenol Am assemblage 7% each) and Berberis (2-3%) characterise this zone compared to the preceding zone. This pollen zone with two radiocarbon dates- 1,670±90 Poaceae (17-47%) and Cyperaceae (3-13%) maintain yrs BP (65-80 cm) and 650±90 yrs BP (25-40 cm) portrays higher frequencies though with a decline witnessed towards improvement in the values of Quercus (10-25%), Pinus the top of the zone, whereas Cheno/Am (2-8%), Artemisia roxburghii (5-24%), Betula (2-8%) and Corylus (1'5-4%) on (3-7%), Caryophyllaceae (2-5%) providing non-arboreal one hand and decline in Acer (1-7%). Sporadic reappearance coverage remain more or less unchanged. However, of Juglans (2-3%) and better representation of shrubby Tubulitlorae (1'5-7%), Ranunculaceae (2-5%) and Ligulitlorae elements such as Viburnum (2-5%), Rosaceae, Fabaceae (2- (2-3%) show improved frequencies and so the fern spores. 506 THE PALAEOBOTANIST

The APINAP ratio denotes the establishment of closed selective felling of this important forest ingredient by thin broad-leaved Oak forests once again. local population in this interior region of Himalaya can not register the marked impact witnessed through the change in VEGETATION AND CLIMATE the frequencies of Quercus and its other associates. The recovery of charcoal pieces in the lake sediments at this A good number of sedimentary profi les have so far been elevation and enhanced frequencies of certain ruderal plants investigated from different regions of Western Himalaya and taxa such as Brassicaceae, Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae, cover Kumaon (Vishnu-Mittre et al., 1967; Gupta, 1977; Artemisia, Asteraceae do indicate the possible anthropogenic Sharma, 1993; Chauhan & Sharma, 1996), Himachal Pradesh pressure on the natural vegetation. (Sharma, 1985b; Sharma & Chauhan, 1988; Sharma & Singh, 1974a, b; Bhauacharyya, 1988) and Kashmir (Gupta el aI., During the subsequent phase covering the last J,700 1984; Sharma & Gupta, 1985; Sharma et aI., J985). years, the same vegetation pattern continued in the region, Consequently, a fairly reliable reconstructed palaeovegetation but with a noticeable expansion of Oak forests together with scenario and corresponding climatic events inferred for the its other broad-leaved associates viz., Alnus, Rhododendron, Quaternary Period has emerged for different sectors across Ulmus, Belula, Corylus which too became more prominent the Himalayan transact. compared to their representation in the preceding phase. The But for the four profiles investigated recently from the emerged vegetation composition signifies amelioration in the temperate Nachiketa Tal and subalpine Chharaka Tal lakes in climate which turned warmer and more moist. Uttarkashi District (Sharma & Gupta, J995; Chauhan et al., Acknowledgements-Authors are grmcful to ProfAnslw K Sin.ha, 1996), Deoria Tal-Profile 2 (Sharma & Gupta, 1997) and Director, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, LI/cknow for Dewar Tal (Chauhan & Sharma, 2000) in Chamoli District, providing necessary facilities and cOllstant encouragement [0 not much palynostratigraphical data is available from Garhwal accomplish this work. region, i.e., the Himalayan sector lying between Himachal Pradesh in the west and Kumaon Himalaya in the east. REFERENCES Pollen analysis of 3 m long profile-I from Deoria Tal, located in the temperate altitudinal range covers the vegetation Bhaltacharyya A 1988. Vegetation and climate during post glacial history of only past 4,000 years. Between 4,000-3,200 yrs BP, period in the vicinity of Rohtang Pass. Great Himalayan Range. existence of temperate Oak forests is indicated by the presence Pollen Spores 30: 417-427. Quercus, Ulmus, Alnus, Rhododendron, Bellila and Juglcll1s Chauhan MS & Sharma C 1996. Pollen analysis of Mid-Holocene sedimenls from Kumaon Himalaya. Geological Surveyor India, with shrubby e1ements- Viburnum, Rosaceae, Fabaceae, etc. Special Publication 2: 257-269. Cool and moist climate is inferred during this phase from the Chauhan MS& Sharma C 2000. Late-Holocene vegetation and climate overall floristic composition. The encounter of Pinus in DewarTal Area, Inner Lesser Garhwal Himalaya. PalaeoboLanist roxburghii pollen in appreciable numbers when it does not 49: 509-514. grow at this elevation today is transported from the lower Chauhan MS,SharmaC & Rajagopalan G 1996.Vegetationand climate mountain slopes where good Chirpine forests actually exist. during Late Holocene in Garhwal Himalaya. Palaeobolanist 46: Presence of fern and other pteridophytic spores indicates the 211-216. prevalence of moist climatic condition in the area. Erdtman G 1943.An Introduction to Pollen Analysis. Waltham, Mass.. During the period 3,200 to 1,700 yrs BP, the Oak forests USA. Gupta HP 1977. Pollen analytical reconnaissance of post glacial though continued to flourish in the region, they became less deposits from subtropical zone in Nainital. Kumaon Himalaya. dense and more or less open type as evident by the reduced Palaeobotanisl24 : 215-244. frequencies of not only Quercus but also its associates Gupta HP, Sharma C. Dodia R, Mandavia C & Vora AB 1984. A Rhododendron, Ulmus, and disappearance of Jug/(II/s. palynological interpretation ofclimalic changes in Kashmir (India) However, other broad-leaved taxa such as Alnus, Betula during the last three million years. 111:Whyte RO (Edllor)-The together with Viburnum, Rosaceae and Fabaceae do not show Evolution or the Asian Environment 2.553-562. Centre of Asian any significant change in their representation. This change in Studies, Univ. Hong Kong. the vegetation mosaic took place perhaps in response to the Sharma C 1985a. Recent pollen spectra from Garhwal Himalaya. reduced precipitation. Simultaneous expansion of Chirpine Geophytology 15 : 87-97 Sharma C 1985b. Studies in Late-Quaternary vegetational history in forests coupled with improvement in the ground coverage by Himachal Pradesh-3. Parasram Tal. Geophytology 15 : 206-216. grasses and sedges is a supporting evidence to infer that the Sharma C 1993. Palynostratigraphy of lake deposits of Himalaya and climate in the region turned a liule drier. Decline in Oak can palaeoclimate in Quaternary Period. Current Science 64 . 930 partly be attributed probably to the advent of human activities 933. in the area. However, clearance of forests for cultivation or SHARMA el 01- VEGETATION AND CUfvlATE IN GARHWAL HIMALAYA 507

Sharma C & Chauhan MS 1988 Studies in Late-Quatnnary Karewa. Kashmir. III: Agrawal DP, Kusumgar S & KI'ishnalllunhy vegetalional history in Himachal Pradesh-4. Rewalsar Lake II. RV (Edilorsj--Climate and Geology or Kashmir: The lasl4 million Pollen Spores 30 395-408 years, Current trend in Geology 6 : 69-78 Sharma C & Gupta A 1995. Vegetational history or Nachiketa Tal. Sharma C & Singh G 1974a. Studies in Late-Quaternary vC'gelational Garhwal Himalaya. Journal orNepal Geological Society 10: 29 history in Himachal Pradesh-I. KhaJiar Lake. Palaeobolanist 21 34 144-162 Sharma C & Gupta A 1997. Vegetation and climate in Garhwal Sharllla C & Singh G 1974b. Studies in Latc-Quaternary vegetational Himalaya during early Holocene: Deoria Tal. Palaeoholanist 46: history in Himachal Pradesh-2. Rewalsar Lake. PalaeoholanlS{ 21 111-116. : 321-338 Sharma C & Gupta HP 1985. Palynostratigraphy and Swiver M & Rei mer PJ 1993. Radiocarhon calihrat ion program review palaeoenvironments: Krachipathra. Lower Karewa. Kashmir. III: 41.2. Radlocarhon 35 215-230 Agrawal DP, Kusumgar S & Krishnamurthy RV (Editors) Vishnu-Millre, Gupta HP & Rohert R 1967 Studies of the Late Climate and Geology of Kashmir' The last 4 million years, Currem Quaternary vegetational history or Kumaon Himalaya. Current trends in Geology 6 . 91-95. Science 36 539-540. Sharma C. Gupta HP, Dodla R & Mandavia C 1985. Palynostratigraphy and palaeoenvironmelll Duhjan, Lower