Structure and functioning of central Himalayan Chirpine forest ecosystem

Abstract

The evergreen chirpine (Pinus roxburghii , Sarg) forest, extensively distributed between 1000 and 2000 m elevations, also occurred in the Himalaya during mid-Miocene. Chirpine has a tendency to form monospecific stands with sparse shrub layer. It is a ruderal-cum-stress tolerant species. The forest biomass is about 200 t ha⁻¹ and the net primary productivity ranges between 18.5 and 24.5 t ha ⁻¹ yr⁻¹. Litter fall is greater than the average reported for warm temperate forests of the world. Litter decomposition is slow compared to broad-leaf species of the region. Chirpine shows an efficient mechanism of nutrient conservation and forms semi-stable communities under the influence of disturbance and recurring fire.