Localized impact of livestock settlements on vegetation patterns in fir forests of Kashmir Himalaya

• Published in: Acta ecologica Sinica 2022-08, Vol.42 (4), p.407-416
• Main Authors: Haq, Shiekh Marifatul, Yaqoob, Umer, Hamid, Saima, Hassan, Musheerul, Bashir, Faiza, Waheed, Muhammad, Bussmann, Rainer W.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Deforestation; Forest; Grazing; Himalaya; Kashmir; Vegetation
• ISSN: 1872-2032; 1872-2032
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chnaes.2022.07.004

Among the many global drivers of ecosystem degradation, the long-term impact of livestock settlements on vegetation patterns and composition, and is one of the greatest hurdles to successful forest ecosystem restoration. In order to identify the ecological implications of human land use changes on vegetation patterns and composition, the current study was conducted for the first time in Fir Forests of Kashmir Himalaya, to illustrate how vegetation responds to livestock settlements. We took samples from forest types both near and far from livestock settlements (ALS and NLS, respectively). To collect data on forest types, we employed a systematic random sampling strategy. After evaluation of the important value index (henceforth IVI) for each plant species along with anthropogenic data of forests, we analyzed data using ordination and cluster analysis techniques. On comparative analysis, the lesser values for diversity indices have been found for at the forest types near livestock settlement. It was discovered that 36% species were unique to away from livestock settlements forest type and 18% species in near to livestock settlements forest type, but that maximum 46% of species were common to all forest types studied. Species composition was unevenly distributed along with various anthropogenic factors, according to the canonical correspondence analysis. Forests near livestock settlements were also discovered to affect species abundance and diversity by promoting the growth of weedy species. The abundant growth of weedy flora such as Cirsium falconeri, Polygonum aviculare, and Urtica dioica around livestock settlement, results in alterations of plant community composition. The findings revealed that cut trees contributed 16% of reported density at ALS forest type and considerably higher values 35% at NLS forest type, respectively. Findings of the study could be used to develop effective livelihood options and management policies for long-term forest harvest impacts in the Himalayas, resulting in the sustainable use of local forest reserves.