Oak Forests in Arunachal Pradesh Vs Western Himalayas of India: Ecological Importance, Biodiversity, and Climate Change Impacts

Yumnam Johnson Singh¹, Laxman Singh Lodhiyal^1*, Khilendra Singh Kanwal², D. Balasubramanian³ and Avinash Sharma⁴

¹Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, Kumaun University, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India

²G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment (NIHE), Kosi Katarmal, Almora Uttarakhand, India

³Department of Botany, Arunachal University of Studies, Namsai, Arunachal Pradesh, India

⁴Department of Agricultural Sciences, Arunachal University of Studies, Namsai, Arunachal Pradesh, India

Corresponding Author E-mail:johnson.proplanet16@gmail.com

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CARJ.13.1.06

Article Publishing History

Received: 10 Jan 2025
Accepted: 22 Apr 2025
Published Online: 24 Apr 2025

Review Details

Reviewed by: Dr. Shashikant Verma
Second Review by: Dr. Faradiba
Final Approval by: Dr. Aristidis Matsoukis

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Abstract:

Oak forests in the Himalayan regions, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh and the Western Himalayas, represent ecologically significant landscapes that harbor a wealth of biodiversity and sustain a variety of ecosystem services essential for environmental stability and human well-being. These forests, dominated by key oak species such as Quercus griffithii, Quercus serrata, Quercus lanata, and Quercus leucotrichophora, play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance by supporting diverse flora and fauna, stabilizing soil, regulating hydrological cycles, and acting as significant carbon sinks. This literature review synthesizes current knowledge on the ecological functions and significance of oak-dominated forest ecosystems in these Himalayan regions. It assesses their contributions to carbon sequestration, soil conservation, and water resource regulation, with a particular emphasis on their resilience and adaptive capacity under changing environmental conditions. The review also delves into the impacts of climate change, including alterations in temperature and precipitation patterns, which have led to observable shifts in species composition, forest structure, and overall forest health. Such changes pose significant risks to the long-term stability of these ecosystems and the services they provide. In light of these challenges, the review further evaluates the effectiveness of existing conservation and management strategies aimed at preserving oak forest ecosystems. This includes community-based forest management practices, afforestation efforts, protected area networks, and climate adaptation policies. The synthesis underscores the urgent need for integrated, science-based approaches that incorporate traditional ecological knowledge, promote biodiversity conservation, and enhance the climate resilience of oak forests in the Himalayan landscape. The present review aims to compare the oak forests of Arunachal Pradesh and the Western Himalayas with respect to their ecological characteristics, biodiversity patterns, and vulnerability to climate change. The rationale for this comparison is to highlight region-specific differences and inform appropriate conservation strategies across the Eastern and Western Himalayan landscapes.

Keywords:

Altitudinal gradient; Adaptive management; Carbon dynamics; Ecosystem services; Forest resilience; Species composition shift

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