Effect of Harvesting Systems on the Undergrowth in Himalayan Moist Temperate Forests of Pakistan

Ing. Javed Iqbal

Doctoral thesis

Abstract:

Modern forestry operations are focused towards sustainable management in the temperate ecosystem and promote multi-species support and indigenous species preference for natural process in forest stand. The present study is focused on identifying management activities and status of the forest for conservation, protection and production level. Moreover, the stand structure diversity was also examined, focused on the undergrowth, regeneration activities and survival rate. The research question are; what types of effects on undergrowth under different harvesting system? Effects of harvesting system on edaphic condition of the site? Growth rate comparison in the different aspect and topographic condition? Identify potential for more fuelwood producing and palatable species in the area to fulfil the demand of the local community and nomadic grazers? and Proposal of the new concept of forestry treatments instead of traditional forestry? Western Himalayan moist temperate forest of Pakistan represents the largest productive and commercial forest of the country/region, with great floristic complexity and high biodiversity. The research area is located (North 35.931010dd, East 75.465168dd, South 33.225403dd and West 72.125281). The research area is divided into three zones: (1) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (13S-633P), (2) Azad Jammu and Kashmir (2S-13P) and Punjab (3S-27P). The data collection at plots and site selection also focus on; tracks, silvicultural system harvesting plots, and individual sites for random data collection. Mature forest crop stand plot size is 0.1 ha (1000 m2 or 17.84 m radius), whereas the regeneration plot size is 0.01 ha (100 m2 or 5.64 m radius). Major research covered; Forest management and disturbance included; past and present silvicultural systems and tending operation, followed with forest disturbance and degradation. Second area of research based on vegetation dynamic and stand structure in relation to silvicultural system. this research area covered; Impact of silvicultural system on natural regeneration, followed by; floristic complexity in relation to Silvicultural operations, and Forest stand structure in relation to silvicultural system. Third aspect covered with Climate change and silvicultural system; which include; climate change and Silvicultural practices. The fourth aspect covered edaphic and social aspect and their role in silvicultural activities. This include; Forest soil horizon characteristics along with altitudinal variation, Potential of silvicultural systems concerning soil carbon pools, Socio-economic status of a local community practicing silvicultural operation, Phytogeography and distribution, and Land-Use classification. Detail study need to be conduct in the study region, present study show a high significant on the stand structure and stand composition from the different climactic factors. Especially unexpected rainfall pattern which highly affect the silvicultural practices in the region. Silvicultural practices need to be formulating according to the climatic factors so that less damage or negative impact will observed in the forest stand. Temperature doesn’t have any impact on the management activities due to less correlation. Silvicultural operations and management practices need to observe to reduced the damages and protect and conserve their mountainous forest for future generation.

Keywords

Harvesting system, Undergrowth, Himalayan, Moist Temperate, Stand structure, Disturbance, Climate Change

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 4. 8. 2021

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: prof. Ing. Vilém Podrázský, CSc.
• Reader: Radim Matula, Ph.D., Ing., Josef Cafourek, externi, Vít Šrámek, externi

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences

Doctoral programme / field:
Forestry Engineering / Silviculture