National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS) HALF YEARLY PROGRESS REPORT (Reporting Period from April 2018 to September 2018 ) 1. Project Information Project ID NMHS/2015-16/LG03/03 Project Title Timberline and Altitudinal Gradient Ecology of Himalayas, and Human Use Sustenance in a Warming Climate Project Proponent Prof. S.P. Singh Central Himalayan Environment Association, Nainital 2. Objectives 1. To characterize and map timberline zone in the IHR using satellite and ground based observations including smart phone applications 2. To determine the temperature lapse rate (TLR) and pattern of precipitation along altitudinal gradients in different precipitation regimes across the IHR; 3. To study plant diversity, community structure, tree diameter changes and natural recruitment pattern along the three principal sites in the IHR; 4. To understand tree phenological responses, nutrient conservation strategies and tree-water relations in response to warming climate 5. To study relationship between tree ring growth and past climatic changes in different climate regime across IHR; 6. To understand the impact of depletion of snow-melt water on growth of tree seedlings, grasslands species composition and selected functional processes; 7. To promote participatory action research (Citizen Science) on innovative interventions to improve livelihoods, women participation in conservation and management of timberline resources. 3. Progress Quantifiable Deliverables Monitoring Progress made against indicators deliverables in terms of monitoring indicators 1 2 3 Creation of database and • No of long • Three long term monitoring knowledge products on term (LTM) sites/ plots established vegetation science and tree- monitoring in 3 states (Uttarakhand, sites/ plots soil water relations of Himachal Pradesh and established timberline in 3 principal sites in 3 states Sikkim) (J&K, Sikkim and (Nos.) • Spatial data on timberline of Uttarakhand). entire Indian Central Himalaya was • generated from maps developed using satellite images, and was subject to various statistical treatments. • Database and knowledge products on vegetation science and treesoil water relations of timberline in 3 principal sites (J&K, Sikkim and Uttarakhand) has been developed (Annexure A &B enclosed Improved understanding • Publication • Total 16 research papers from depicted from thematic maps s of every sub-component under and database of timberline knowledge the project were developed and products ecosystem as a special communicated successfully to (No.) conservation entity and Tropical Ecology. implication to sustainable • 01 high-resolution digital map management and livelihood depicting changes in timberline enhancement. for Tungnath has been developed . Improved understanding of • Communit • Total 34 community groups future changes in timberline y groups formed and trained in various vis-a-vis climate change and trained sectors, benefiting (Nos) human uses representatives from 170 • Publication families. s of knowledge products (No.) Awareness and Training • Awareness • One awareness camp was material/ knowledge products camps/ organized with the active for sustainable use of programs participation of stakeholders organized resources for improved along with shopkeepers and (Nos.) horse union members etc. For livelihood. biodiversity conservation, and waste management. • Knowledge materials on mushroom cultivation and nursery preparation have been developed for timberline connected communities at Tungnath. Promotion of Citizen Science • Human • Promotion and demonstration through engagement of use of of Home Stay concept finalized community groups timberline and will be demonstrated ecosystems soon. and its contributio n to livelihoods (Nos./ Area ) Annexure A Progress (April 2018 to June 2018) Supportive documents (Attach files) Quantifiable Monitoring Progress made against deliverables in terms of monitoring indicators (All files shall be Deliverables indicators in Zip format and to be uploaded in web portal) 1 2 3 4 Timberline Mapping Creation of No of long term database and monitoring sites/ Two manuscripts were developed and submitted for special issue of knowledge plots established Tropical ecology. products on in 3 states (Nos.) Title of Papers: vegetation (i) A cartographic representation of a timberline, reline and woody science and tree- vegetation around a central Himalayan summit using remote sensing method soil water (ii) Topographical characterization of high altitude Timberline in the relations of timberline in 3 Indian Central Himalayan region principal sites Detailed cartographic remote-sensing-based maps are being developed (J&K, Sikkim and for the other Indian Himalayan states. Photographs Temperature Lapse Rate (TLR) Uttarakhand). attached Near surface Temperature Lapse Rate for A manuscript entitled “ (Annexure I) Treeline environment in Western Himalaya and possible impacts on ecotone vegetation ” developed for special issue of Tropical ecology. Total 9 runoff plots are established for estimation of hydrological response of three major vegetation types, namely; Conifers ( Abies spectabilis ), Krummholz ( Rhododendron campanulatum ), and Grassland along tree line ecotone in Tungnath region in Uttarakhand. The rainfall event based data on gross rainfall, through-fall, stem-flow and runoff from these plots is generated for rainfall- runoff analysis. Study on rainfall interception in three forest types ( Abies spectabilis , Quercus semecarpifolia , and Rhododendron campanulatum ) is carried out to strengthen the data generated during last year. The high temporal scale data on temperature and relative humidity is collected along different elevation in two different aspects of Chopta- Tungnath transect in Uttarakhand; for 6 sites at different elevations along Yuksam-Dzongri transect in Sikkim and for 4 sites at different elevations along Daksum-Sinthan transect in Jammu& Kashmir. The collected data is being used to calculate and analyze seasonal variation in temperature lapse rate and relative humidity for the three selected study transects in IHR. The field work for collection of hydro-meteorological data from the established station/ runoff plots is reinitiated. Vegetation Sampling Data base and knowledge products have been developed for two principal sites (J&K and Uttarakhand transect); work underway for third site (Sikkim). Jammu & Kashmir A manuscript entitled “ Taxonomic and functional plant diversity patterns along an elevational gradient through treeline ecotone in Kashmir ” developed for special issue of Tropical ecology. The timberline ecotone extending from timberline at 3200 m up to treeless alpine meadow at 3800m was resampled and resurveyed for more detailed study of species composition, structure and changes in species composition over small increments in altitude. Detailed survey in the ecotone after every 50 m elevational band revealed a total of 176 species belonging to 132 genera and 58 families, excluding lichens. Out of these, angiosperms were dominant in comparison to other taxonomic groups represented by 135 species in 104 genera and 38 families. Among angiosperms, dicots were more numerous than monocots and were represented by 124 species in 96 genera and 33 families, and monocots were represented by 11 species in 8 genera and 5 families. Pteridophytes and bryophytes were represented by 22 and 17 species belonging to 12 and 8 genera in 14 and 10 families. Functional Diversity: Functional groups of vascular embryophytes viz. herbs, shrubs, trees and ferns in the timberline ecotone included 125(79%) species of herbs, followed by 22 (14%) species of ferns, 8 (5%) species of shrubs and 4 (3%) species of trees. Among bryophytes, mosses predominated with 14 species (84%) followed by liverworts with 3 species (18%) and no species of hornworts was recorded. Regeneration Status: The recruitment of trees in the timberline ecotone was assessed by counting the numbers of saplings and seedlings per 10 2 m of trees in each elevational band together with number of trees. Data reveal that a good number of tree seedlings was recorded along the entire elevational gradient of the timberline ecotone but saplings were few. Mid Domain Effect Analysis: Mid-Domain effect was observed in total species richness and in functional groups of trees and herbs while shrubs didn’t show mid domain effect. The reason behind not observing mid-domain effect in case of shrubs is due to the dominance of one or more species only resulting in decreased species ranges towards mid- elevation peak than at lower and higher elevations. Uttarakhand A manuscript entitled “ Plant species diversity and rarity patterns along altitude range covering treeline ecotone in Uttarakhand: conservation implications ” developed for special issue of Tropical ecology. The study documents plant diversity within a forested high altitude zone (2000-3500 m asl) of Uttarakhand wherein 1471 plant species (106 trees, 233 shrubs and 1132 herbs) occur. Of the total, 387 (26.3%) species were recorded from the study transects which included 52.5% (203 spp.) Himalayan natives. Among others, the paper includes analysis on: (i) Floristic diversity and representativeness; (ii) Rarity distribution and conservation priorities; (iii) Conservation imperatives of species richness and beta diversity; (iv) Altitude relationship of compositional features; and (v) Composition at treeline ecotone. Project team conducted frequent field surveys in Uttarakhand site to complete two more altitude