Restitution of reproductive biomass of overstorey tree species in certain forests of Kumaun Himalaya

Abstract

Restitution of reproductive biomass in seven forests of Kumaun Himalaya was estimated. Two forests were dominated by Shorea robusta two by Pinus roxburghii and the remaining three Quercus spp. Reproductive organs of nine tree species were captured in the litter traps; of the seven were angiosperms and two gymnosperms. The highest reproductive output was recorded the two oak dominated forests, followed by the pine forest, whereas the lowest output was recorded for pine mixed broadleaf forest. The total reproductive output ranged between 81.16 and 3.6 g m^-2. These account for 11.09 to 1.03% of the total litter fall in these forests.