Climate change effects in the Western Himalayan ecosystems of India : evidence and strategies
Date
2017
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
SpringerOpen
Abstract
Background: The fragile landscapes of the Himalayan region are highly susceptible to natural hazards, and there
is ongoing concern about current and potential climate change impacts. This study provides background
information on India’s Western Himalayas and reviews evidence of warming as well as variability in precipitation
and extreme events.
Methods: Understanding and anticipating the impacts of climate change on Himalayan forest ecosystems and the
services they provide to people are critical. Efforts to develop and implement effective policies and management
strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation requires particular new research initiatives. The various studies
initiated and conducted in the region are compiled here.
Results: Several new initiatives taken by the Himalayan Forest Research Institute in Shimla are described. This includes
new permanent observational field studies, some with mapped trees, in high altitude transitional zones for continuous
monitoring of vegetation response. We have also presented new strategies for mitigating potential climate change
effects in Himalayan forest ecosystems.
Conclusions: Assessment of the ecological and genetic diversity of the Himalayan conifers is required to evaluate
potential responses to changing climatic conditions. Conservation strategies for the important temperate medicinal
plants need to be developed. The impact of climate change on insects and pathogens in the Himalayas also need to
be assessed. Coordinated efforts are necessary to develop effective strategies for adaptation and mitigation
Description
CITATION: Tewari, V. P., Verma, R. K. & Von Gadow, K. 2017. Climate change effects in the Western Himalayan ecosystems of India : evidence and strategies. Forest Ecosystems, 4:13, doi:10.1186/s40663-017-0100-4.
The original publication is available at https://forestecosyst.springeropen.com
The original publication is available at https://forestecosyst.springeropen.com
Keywords
Himalayan Mountains -- Ecosystems, Climatic changes, Forest ecology
Citation
Tewari, V. P., Verma, R. K. & Von Gadow, K. 2017. Climate change effects in the Western Himalayan ecosystems of India : evidence and strategies. Forest Ecosystems, 4:13, doi:10.1186/s40663-017-0100-4