Structural and functional analysis of grazingland vegetation under pine forest in Central Himalaya

Abstract

Studies on species composition, biomass, net primary productivity and nutrient cycling of a grazingland vegetation under chir pine forest in Kumaun Himalaya were carried out from November 1979 to October 1980. Arthraxon lancifolius , with an IVI of 41.4 emerged as the dominant species. Peak values of above-ground and below-ground biomass both occurred in September during the monsoon season. Due to greater biomass and higher nutrient concentrations, the above-ground compartment accumulated large amounts of nutrients than the below-ground one did. Of the total nutrient uptake by the vegetation, 77.4% N, 74.3% P, 72.1% Ca, 65.8% Mg, 39.7% K and 36.9% Na are recycled annually to the soil.