Regeneration Status of Quercus lanata (Syn. Q.lanuginosa) in Central Himalayan Forests

Oaks of the Himalayan region are at risk due to relentless anthropogenic pressure and climate change. This study was undertaken to assess regeneration status of Quercus lanata (Q. lanuginosa) dominated forests in the Kumaun region of Indian Himalaya. Q. lanata has restricted distribution and forms small patches of a few hectares between 1800 and 2400 m elevation. The study was conducted across two forest sites, located in Nainital and Pithoragarh districts, between the elevation ranging 1950 and 2200 m. Present research attempts to evaluate regeneration status of Q. lanata at selected sites in Kumaun Himalaya. Across both sites, total tree density varied between 665 and 1115 ind ha-1, and density of Q. lanata ranged between 525 and 560 ind ha-1, and total basal area was between 36.96 and 40.52 m²ha-1. Seedling density of Q. lanata varied between 80 and 455 ind ha-1 across both sites. Across the study sites, the sapling density was low. The results indicate that Q. lanata showed fair recruitment of seedling however the conversion of seedling into saplings is poor. This study emphasizes the requirement for targeted conservation efforts to sustain the biodiversity and ecological balance of the Q. lanata. Forests.