CLASSIFICATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND

PHYTOSOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF AGROFORESTRY

SYSTEMS IN A PART OF KUMA ON

)

Chapter ill

CLASSIFICA TION, CHARACTERISATION AND PHYTOSOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF

AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS IN A PART OF KUMAON

Introduction

Agroforestry is a land-use system in which woody perennials are deliberately

grown on the same land management unit as crops and lor animals, either in same form of

spatial arrangement or in a time sequence, and in which there is a significant interaction

between the woody perennials, the crops and animals (Leakey, 1997). It is a common

land use among the traditional societies allover the world. The attributes of and linkages

between different sub-systems (viz. crop, husbandry, animal husbandry, forests and

domestic subsystem) tremendously vary depending upon the ecological, economic and

socio-cultural settings. Most of the agroforestry systems have developed empirically with

the limitations of natural environment and can be substantially improved with appropriate

scientific inputs (Escalante, 1985). A number of attempts have been made to describe

agroforestry systems in different parts of the world such as, Kenya (Odoul, 1986),

Nigeria (Oladokun, 1990), Pehnpei (Raynor and Fownes, 1991), Amazon Equador (Peck

and Bishop, 1992), Sikkim in India (Sundriyal et at., 1994), on crop husbandry.

Systematic objective approaches to characterization of agroforestry systems at the scale

of landscape are limited (Nair, 1984). To evaluate and develop an action oriented plan for

improving the present agroforestry systems, it is necessary to classify and characterize

agroforestry on landscape scale. The objective of the present work is to group,

characterize and determine the local factors that are responsible for the existing

42

characteristics of agroforestty systems, and also to analyze suitability and stability of

these systems across an altitudinal gradient in Kumaon Himalaya, India.

Results

Classification:-

Out of twenty eight villages studied, nine villages had agro-horticulture system in

which Citrus spp., Mangifera indica, Juglans regia, Prunus armeniaca, P. cerasoides, P.

domestica, P. persica, Pyrus communis and P. malus were planted and other species

established through natural regeneration. Five villages were dominated by apple (Pyrus

malus) and four by Pear (P. communis) (Figure 3.1). In agro-horticultural system,

naturally regenerating species were present but not as dominant as planted Pyrus malus

and P. communis.

In eighteen villages all the trees on slopes established through natural regeneration.

Clustering of these eighteen sites, based on total tree density, brought out six types of

agroforestry systems differing in respect of the species dominance (Figure 3.1). Based on

the most dominant species these were named as Pinus roxburghii (in two

villages),Quercus leucotrichophora (in two villages), Sapium sabiferum (in two

villages),Pyrus pashia (in four villages), Celtis australis (in five villages), and Grewia

oppositifolia (in three villages) agroforestry systems.

Pyrus malus agro-horticultural system occurred at altitudes more than 1900 m

amsl where Quercus leucotrichophora was the main dominant constituent of potential

vegetation Pyrus communis agroforestry systems occurred over a wider altitudinal zone

43

Figure 3.1 Cluster analysis of slope land agroforestry systems. (following Ludwig and Reynolds, 1988;)

using flexible strategy of Relative Euclidean Distance (RED) method.

Regenerated agroforestry systems

Village

1. Rakoli

2. Dewali

3. Aucholi

4. Dhunagri

5. Matela

6. Paseed

7. Citoli

8. Benar

9. Dhuora

10. Famchoot

11. Kathari pahal

12. Cham viswanath

13. Binnoli

14. Kafda

15. Rakoli

16. Baban

17. Dhora

18.Kannoli

o I

0.25 I

0.50 0.75 I I

Pinus roxburghii

Quercus leucotrichophora ~

Sapium sabiferum

Pyrus paif1ia

Celtis australis

Grewia oppasitifolia

1.00 I

18. Karam pani Phoenix dactylifera dominated system

Plantated agroforestry systems

19. Chaura

20. Mardura

2l. Jalna

22. Dhunagri

23. Chaubatya

25. Matela

Pyrus malus dominated systems

1.25 I

26. Karod Pyrus communis dominated systems

27. Jalna

28. Lamgada

44

1.50 1.75 I I

between 1000 and 2000 m amsl with Pinus sp. and Quercus spp. mixed forest

dominating the landscape. Among the naturally regenerated agroforestry systems Pinus

roxburgh:i; Pyrus pashia, Sapium sabiferum, Celtis australis and Grewia oppositifolia

systems occurred in Pinus sp. dominated the landscape. Pyrus pashia and Celtis australis

systems were distributed over a wider range of altitude (1000 to 1,750 and 1250 to 1750

m amsl) compared to other three systems (Sapium sabiferum, Pinus roxburghii and

Grewia. oppositifolia). Quercus leucotrichophora agroforestry system was observed

within the Quercus spp. dominated natural landscape only (table 3.1).

The Pyrus malus agro-horticultural system and Quercus leucotrichophora

agroforestry system occurred at places far away from the town as compared to other

types. The average land holding size (1.72lhousehold) and community forest (2.07

sq.km.lhousehold) was higher in the Q. leucotrichophora agroforestry village followed by

Pyrus pashia agforestry village (1.11lhousehold and 0.83 s.km/ha) and lowest in the

Pinus roxburghii agroforestry village. Community forests were not present in the villages

with Pinus roxburghii and Sapium sabiferum agroforestry systems, and these forests were

most extensive in villages with the Quercus leucotrichophora system.

The most dominant species and some co-dominant, like Celtis australis, Ficus

palmata, in Pyrus pashia agroforestry system, Cedrella toona, Melia azadirecta P.

pashia in Celtis australis dominant system, C. australis and P. pashia in Grewia ,

agroforestry system, C. australis, and P. pashia in Sapium sabiferum agroforestry system,

P. pashia in Quercus leucotrichophora agroforestry system, Q. leucotrichophora and

45

Table 3.1 Important features of Agroforestry system type:

SINo Agroforestry Elevation Average per household Dominant Distance tree

system type * (m amsl) Heads CuI. land Forest of forest from (ha) (sq. Town

km) (km) 1 pyrus pashia 1000 - 1750 5 1.11 0.83 Pinusspp. 18.23

2 Sapium sabiferum 1250 -1500 5 0.28 0.00 Pinus spp. 23.50

3 Celtis australis 1250 - 1750 5 0.38 0.36 Pinus spp. 9.00

4 Grewia oppositifolia 1350 - 1600 5 0.67 0.26 Pinus spp. 17.00

5 Pinus roxburghii 1300 - 1500 5 0.17 0.00 Pinusspp. 5.00

6 Quercus 1750 < 6 1.72 2.07 Quercus 33.00 leucotrichophora spp.

7 pyrus communis 1000 - 2000 4 0.42 0.009 Pinus/ 20.00 Quercus

spp. 8 Pyrus malus 1900 < 4 0.41 0.02 Quercus 40.00

spp .

• a type is named based on the most dominant species.

46

Citrus spp. in Pyrus malus agroforestry system were represented in all the four size

classes. Smaller size classes of less than 10 cm CBH were not found in the Pyrus

communis agro-horticultural system. Pyrus pashia and Celtis australis were associated ,

with all the agroforestry systems. Melia azadarach was found only in Sapium sabiferum

and Celtis australis dominated systems. In Pinus roxburghii agroforestry system Pinus

roxburghii is the only tree species present. In both agro-horticultural systems, Quercus

leucotrichophora was found regenerating naturally (Figure 3. 2a & b).

In tenns of basal area in Pyrus pashia agroforestry system, Pyrus pashia was the

most dominant (1.955 m2/ha) followed by the Celtis australis (0.541 m2/ha) and Pinus

roxburghii (0.455 m2/ha). In the Celtis australis system, C. australis was the most

dominant (1.488 m2/ha) followed by Albizzia procera (1.216 m2/ha), Melia

azadarach(1.122 m2/ha), Grewia oppositifolia (0.643 m2/ha), and Pyrus pashia (0.217

m2/ha). In Grewia oppositifolia agroforestry system G. oppositifolia was the most

predominant (1.673 m2/ha), followed by Pyrus pashia (0.720 m2/ha), Celtis australis

(0.654 m2/ha), Toona ciliata (0.316 m2/ha) and Eucalyptus globulus. In Sapium

sabiferum agroforestry system S. sabiferum was the most predominant (1.817 m2/ha)

species followed by Pyrus pashia (1.566 m2/ha) and Melia azaderach (1.240 m2/ha). In

Quercus leucotrichophora agroforestry, system Q. leucotrichophora (1.561 m2/ha) was

the most dominant followed by Pyrus pashia (1.265m2/ha) and Juglans regia (0.563

m2/ha). In Pyrus malus agro-horticultural system basal' area of Quercus leucotrichophora

47

Figure 3.2~ Density (/ha) of tree species in different agroforestry systems

90

75

60

4S

30

15

90

751

60

45

30

IS

o 10 - 30 an CBH

[ill] 30-SOanCBH

[millSO>anCBH

o > to an CBH

Pyrus pashia (al)

,Ap Tc Ca E spp. Fg Fp Fr Go Ir Ma Ms Me Pr Pa Pc Ppe Pg Pcc ppa QI Si Ssa Soh Sou

Grewia oppositifolia

(a3)

i"T9 0 to - 30 an CBH

0 30 - 50 an CBH

~ ~ 0 50 > an CBH

0 > 10 an CBH .... :'.' .....

Ap Tc Ca E sppFg Fp Fr Go Ir Ma Ms Me Pr Pa Pc Ppe Pg Pcc ppa QI Si Ssa Soh Scu

o 10 - 30 em CBH

EJl 30 - SO an CBH

W8J SO > an CBH

o > to an CBH

Pinus roxburghii (as)

Ap Tc Ca E spp. Fg Fp Fr Go Ir Ma Ms Me Pr Pa Pc Ppe Pg Pcc ppa QI Si Ssa Soh Sou

( --, .~

-~

90 CeIJis australis 0 10 - 30 an CBH (&2)

75 o 30 - so an CBH

0 so > an CBH

0 > 10 an CBH 60

45

30

IS

Ap Tc Ca E sppFg Fp Fr Go Ir Ma M. Me Pr Pa Pc Ppe' Pg Pee Ppa QI Si Ssa Sch Sou

13S

120 Sapillm sabiferum (a4)

lOS 0 to - 30 an CBH

90 0 30 - SO an CBH

75 Q SO > an CBH

60 0 > 10 an CBH

4S :,: :

~ \.\ ."':, ....

. " """ =: tl 30

IS

140

126

tt2

9B

84

70

56

42

28'

14

AI> T, c. E opp. Fs Fp Fr 00 ]r M.a Ms M. Pr Pa Pc Ppe Pi P<e Ppa QI S; Ssa Sob Stu

o 10 - 30 an CBH

o []

o

Quercus leurotrichophora (a6)

Ap Tc Ca E spp. Fg Fp Fr Go Ir Ma Ms Me Pr Pa Pc Ppe Pg Kco Ppa QI Si Ssa Sch Sou

00 ~

'------'

Figure 3.2h Density (/ha) of tree species in different agro-horticulture systems

200, Pyrus mams

(bl) 0 10 • 30 QIl CBH ..

[ill! 30 • 50 an CBH

ED :::!: < 50 an CBH

0 >10 QI1 CBH

Figure 3.2c Density (/ha) of tree species in different Home gardens 40

35

30

25

20

15

[J 10· 30 an CBH

El 30· 50 an CBH

< 50 an CBH

> 10 an CBH

A p - Albizia procera

C t - Toona cilitiata

C a - Celtis australis

C sp. - Citrus spp

E sp - Eucalyptus globulus

F g - Ficus glomerata

I

~

Low altitude (1000 to 1350)

F p - F. palmata

. F r - Ficus roxburghii

G 0 - Grewia oppositi[olia J r - Juglans regia

M a - Melia azadarach

Mi - Mangifera indica

(c1)

M s - Morus serrata

M e - Myrica esculenta P r - Pinus roxburghii

P a -Prunus armeniaca

P c - P. cerasoides

Pd - Prunus domestica

f

200

175

150

125

100

75

50

25

01

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

0 10 • 30 an CBH

0 30 • 50 an CBH

0 50 > an CBH

0 > 10 an CBH

C. }r

o 10· 30 an CBH

[2J 30 - 50 an CBH

< 50 an CBH

Pyrus Communis (b2)

CillIT11 "' ......... k;;·.::/:

P. Pm Pco Ppa Pp QI

mgh altitude (1750 - 2000 m arnsl) (c2)

Ct c.c.tIl spp.Fg Fp Fr}r MM. M. Me Pr P. P d Pc Ppe Pg Pco Pm Ppa QIRs s... ScB cu X.

P pe - P. persica

P g - Punica granatum P co - Pyrus communis

P pa - P.pashia P m - Pyrus malus

Q 1 - Quercus leucotrichophora

Rs - Rhodendron arboreum

S i - Sapium insigne S s -Sapium sabiferum

S c - Sympolocus chlnemis S cu - Sorbus cuspitata

Xs - Xanthoxylum sps.

'"

0'1 ~

I

was 0.909 m2/ha. Generally in all the agroforestry systems larger size (greater than 30

cm CBH) contributed to most of the basal area (Figure 3. 3a & b).

Average values of density, canopy cover, basal area, Shannon Weiner Diversity

Index for each type of agroforestry systems and two types of agro-horticultural system

were given in table 3.2. Canopy cover ranged from 21 to 55.3 %. It was highest in Pyrus

communis agro-horticultural system with 55.3 % followed by Sapium sabiferum 46.3 %

and Pyrus malus 38.6 % and lowest in Pinus roxburghii 7.8 %.The tree density was

highest in Pyrus malus agro-horticultural system (336/ha) and Sapium sabiferum (327/ha)

and lower in Pinus roxburghii (63/ha). Basal area ranged from 2.66 to 5.57. It was lower

in Pyrus communis (2.66 m2/ha) and in Pyrus pashia (3.54 m2/ha) as compared to other

systems. Diversity Index was low in Pinus roxburghii (0), Pyrus communis (0.43),

Sapium sabiferum (1.05), and Pyrus malus (1.18), compared to other systems. Between

the two agro-horticultural systems, Pyrus malus system showed high diversity (1.18),

total density (336/ha), canopy cover (38.6 %), and basal area (4.5 m2/ha) compared to

Pyrus communis system.

Among the dominant tree species of all slope land agroforestry systems, Grewia

oppositifolia and Quercus leucotrichophora were evergreen species and Celtis australis,

Pyrus pashia, Sapium sabiferum, Pyrus malus and Pyrus communis were deciduous trees

(Table 3.3). All species showed maximum growth in the summer. In agro-horticultural

systems P. communis and P. malus were lopped during October to December. Sapium

sabiferum, Pinus roxburghii, P. pashia, C. australis and G. oppositifolia were lopped for

50

Figure 3.3a Basal area (ml/ha) of tree species in different agroforestry systems

W

I.

I.

IA

12

I~

U

M

M

U

M

o 10 - 30 em CBII

OJ 30 - 50 em CBD

LJ SO> em CBD

o > 10 em CBD

Pyrus pashin (al)

Ap Fr Go ir Ma Ms Me Pr Pa Pc Ppe Pg Poo Ppa QI Si Ssa Scb ScI!

2.0

1.8

1.6

1.4

1.2

1.0

0.8

0.6

0.4

o 10 - 30 an eBH

IT! 30 - 50 an eBH

[ill] ~O>anCBH

II ,10 ClI" CIIiI

Grewia oppositiJolia (a3)

u • 00 I WJ,j ~ lill[ill ffiQl U !@Em = :c rm'l ...... . -. ~~. ~ ~. Fr Go ir Ma Ms Me Pr P. Pc Ppe Pg Poo Ppa QI Si Ssa Scb Stu

S.O

4.5

4.0

3.5

3.0

'2.5

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

o 10 - 30 an eBH

IT! 30 - 50 an eBH

[] 50 > an eBH

o > 10 an eBH

Pinus ToxhuTghii (as)

0.0 1 [ii:tj lip Tc Ca E spp. Fg Fp Fr Go ir Ma Ms Me Pr P. Pc Ppe Pg Poo ppa QI Si Ssa Scb Scu

~ t

2.0

1.8

1.6

1.4

1.2

1.0

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

o 10 - Je em CBH

[] 30-SOemCBD

o 5O>emCBH

o > 10 em CBD

Celtis australis (al)

0.0 I _ ~_ SO !±ill ~ _ _ _ _ _!¥ill ~ _ _ _ ~ __ '?' ~ _. _

2.0

1.8

1.6

1.4

1.2

1.0

0.8

0.6

0.4

o 10 - 30 an CBH

o 3O-50aneBH

o 50 > an eBH

o ' 10 an ellH

Sapium sabifenun (&4)

"j:" ..

0.2 I bd l4d = t±il [1 0.0 Ap Tc Ca E sppFg Pp Fr Go lr Ml Ms Mc Pr Po Pc Ppe Pg Pc<> Ppa QI Si Sse Scb Scu

2.0

1.8

0 10 - 30 an eBH .. 1.6

Quercus ieucotrichaphoTa (a6)

D 30 - 50 an eBH :': 1.4

Q 50 > an eBn 1.2

1.0 0 > 10 an CBH

0.8

0.6L ~ OA '1%1:

02 ' •. :;

••• fSlg _ = EO'"'" = Ap Tc Ca E sppFg Fp Fr Go lr Ma Ms Me Pr Pa Pc Ppe Pg n •• n .

~.

-V)

Figure 3.3b Basal area (m /ha) of tree species in different agro-horticulture systems

2.1

1.8

1.5

1.2

0.9

0.6

0.3

o 10 - 30 an CBH

EI 30 -,50 an CBH

I2J < 50 an CBH

o >10 an CBH

Pyrus maWs

(hI)

0.0 1 ~ F' _~ 1",1 """;\ c;;;;:mrrn I'" "I

2.41

2.1

1.81

1.51

1.21

0.9

0.6

0.3

0.0

Pyrus Communis

~ (h2) 0 10 - 30 an CBH

0 30 - 50 an CBH

0 50 > an CBH

[J > 10 an CBH

Figure 3.3c Basal area (m /ha) of tree species in different Home gardens

1.0

O.S

0.6

0.4

0.2

o 10 - 30 an CBH

o 30 - 50 an CBH

EJ < 50 an CBH

o > 10 em CBH

Low altitude (1000 to 1350) (d)

0.0 1 111,H·dH D=Hbdl,',I= bdLlJP=lt:ill=/TIJII.1 bd @l IlElH",d Ct CCspEspp.Fg Fp Fr Jr MiM. Ms Me Pr P. Pd Pc ppPg PcoPm pp. QIRs Ssa SchXs Scu

A p - Albizia procera

C t - Toona cilitiata

C a - Celtis australis

C sp. - Citrus spp

E sp - Eucalyptus globulus

F g - Ficus glomerata

~

F p - F. palmata

F r - Ficus roxburghii

G 0 - Grewia oppositi[olia of r - Juglans regia

M a - Melia azadarach

Mi - Mangifera indica

M s - Morus serrata

M e - Myrica esculenta P r - Pinus roxburghii

P a -Prunus armeniaca

P c - P. cerasoides

Pd - Prunus domestica

t-

RICh' altitude (1750 - 2000 m 811 o 10 - 30 .... CBH (c2)

5J JO-SO .... CBH

1.0 o <SO .... CBH

0.8 o :> 10 .... CBH

0.6

0.4

0.2

00' SGll"'! 1'''''''1 0 bd DLillI,'dt:] bdbLlLdI,,,AI-#! = . Ct CC spE sppFg Fp Fr Jr MM. Ms Me Pr P. P d Pc Pn.o Po """ "~Dno "'D. ~.. Sd!I: s

P pe - P. persica

P g - Punica granatum P co - Pyrus communis

P pa - P.pashia P m - Pyrus malus

Q I Quercus leucotrichophora

Rs - Rhodendron arboreum

S i - Sapium insigne S s -Sapium sabiferum

S c - Sympolocus chinensis S cu - Sorbus cuspitata

Xs - Xanthoxylum sps.

\

~.

N V)

Table 3.2 Tree community structure and composition of agroforestry systems.

S.No. Agroforestry systems Density Canopy Basal area (lha.) cover M2/ha.}

Mean Range (o/;J Mean Range 1 pyrus pashia 152 146 - 158 21.02 3.54 2.98 - 4.10

2 Sapium sabiferum 327 323 - 331 46.29 5.00 6.44 - 3.56

3 Celtis australis 244 231 - 257 29.15 5.57 2.96 - 8.19

4 Grewia oppositifo/ia 232 269 - 195 24.92 4.70 3.31 6.09

5. Pinus roxburghii 63 61 - 65 7.82 5.41 4.91 - 5.91

6 Quercus 212 166 - 258 23.88 4.10 3.23 - 4.97 leucotr;chophora

. 7 Pyrus communis 107 89 - 125 55.28 2.66 1.42 - 3.90

8 pyrus mal/us 336 258 - 414 38.57 4.50 3.60 - 5.40 .

SWI - Shannon Weaver Diversity Index

Mean 1.25

1.05

1.44

1.58

0.00

1.35

0.43

1.18

Diversity (SWI)

Range 0.47 - 2.03

0.59 - 1.51

1.06 - 1.38

1.38 -1.78

0.00

1.19-2.70 I

0.32 - 0.54

0.62-1.74

M tr)

fuel and pine needles during November to March for animal bed/manure. In deciduous

trees the litter fall occurred in the winter (November to January). P. pashia had notably a

longer period of litter fall (June to December) compared to other species,(table 3.3).

Home garden :-

Home gardens, all across the altitudinal gradient, comprised of three canopy layers

i.e., top canopy, middle canopy and ground layer (Figure 3.4; table 3.4). Top canopy

reached the height of 11 to 14 meters and middle canopy to the height of 8 meters. Top

canopy comprised 10 to 11 species and middle canopy 7 to 8 species. In five top canopy

species Eucalyptus globulus, Ficus roxburghii, Mangifera indica, Melia azadarach and

Xanthoxylum acanthopodium were confined to home gardens of 1000 - 1350 m amsl and

three species Ficus glomerata, Quercus leucotrichopora and Rhodendron arborium

confmed to home gardens of 1750 - 2000 m amsl. Six species Toona ciliata, Juglans

regia, Pinus roxburghii, Pyrus communis, Pyrus pashia and Celtis australis were found

common in the top canopy layer at all elevations for top canopy. In Middle canopy four

species Punica granatum, Sapium insigne, Sapium sabiferum and Morus serrata were

confmed to home gardens of 1000 1350 m amsl and four species Myrica esculenta, Pyrus

malus, Sympolocos chinensis and Prunus armeniaca were confmed to home gardens of

1750 - 2000 m ams!. Four species Citrus aurantifolia, Citrus reticulata, Prunu~

domestica and Prunus persica were found common to all elevations sampled. At ground

level nine species Allium sativum, Cicer arietinum, Colacasia spp, Coriandrum sativum,

Curcuma long a, Colichos uniflorus, Lens esculenta, Pisum arvense and Pisum sativum

54

Table 3.3 Phenological characteristics of agroforestry tree species.

Agroforestry Period of different tree behaviour/management systems Leafing Flowering Fruiting Litter fall Dense canopy Leafless Lopping

Pyrus pashia Mar-May Apr-Jun Jun-Aug Jun-Nov May-Jun Dec-Feb Jun-dec

Sapium Mar-May Apr-Jun Jul-Sep Oct-Nov May-Sep Dec-Feb Dec sabiferum Celtis australis Feb - Apr Apr-May Sep-Oct Dec-Feb May-Jun Jan-Feb Jun-Dec

Grewia Apr- Jun May-Jun Jun-Jul Mar-Apr May-Jun Nil Jun-May oppositifolia Pinus roxburghii May - Jun *** Apr-May Jun-Jul Nov-Dec *** Apr-May

Quercus Apr- Jun Mar-May Apr-Jun May-Jul Apr-May Nil Nov-Mar leucotrichophora Pyrus communis Mar- May Apr-Jun Jun-Aug Nov-Dec May-Jun Dec-Feb Nov-Dec

pyrusmalus Feb- May Apr-May Jun-Jul Nov-Dec Apr-May Dec-Jan Oct-Nov

55

Figure 3.4 General profile of home gardens in Kumaon and their species at lower and higher altitudes.

Layer III (Top)

14

12

~ 10-

]

I - Species only at 1000 - 1350 mamsl

Eucalyptus globu/us. Fiscus roxburghii, Mangifera indica, Melia azadarach, Prunus roxburghii, Sorb us cuspitata and Xanthoxylum acanthopodium

II - Species only at 1750 - 2000 mamsl

FiclIS g/omerara, Querclls lellcotrichophora and Rhodendron arborium.

Species at b· I and II

Toona ciliata, Prunus ,erasoi, Pyrus communi Pyrus pashia aJ Celtis australis.

::E \ \0 ~ ~

Layer II (Top)

6

4

2

2 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 Distance (m)

Curmis spp. - C .melo and C. sativa; Solanum spp. S. Capsicum, S. melangena and S. TuberosulII.

~ ~

Ficus palmara, Punica granatum. Sapium in.~igni. Sapium .~abiferum and Mnrus serrata.

Allium salivum, Cieer arielinum, Cu/aeasia spp., Curiandrum salivum, Curcuma longo, CU/fchos unijlorus, Lens eseu/enla, Pisum arvense and P.salivum.

Myrica esculenta. Pyrus malus and Sympn/ncos chinensi.t

Phagopyrum esculentum, P. toraricum, Brassica oleraceae and B. capitara

~ f

Citrus auranljft C. retieulata. Prunus domesti, P.armeniaea an. P.persfca

Allium cepa, Brassica junce, Canabis spp., C.saliva, Curmis spp .. , Curcurbita ma~ Cyclenthera pe, Dolichns lahlal D. bijlorus. Glycine soja, Lycnpersicon e. MOr7nordica ch Solanum spp .. Trigonilla [oem (graecum-[ene;

Table. 3.4 Vertical stratification and analysis of home gardens in Kumaon

S.No Vertical Home gardens altitudinal range stratification 1000 - 1350 m amsl 1350 - 2000 m msl

1 To~ cano~~ tree (a) Species number 11 + 2 10 + 1

Mat I Mat" Mat I Mat" (b) Height 6.64 ±. 0.98 12.47 ±. 1.59 6.82 ±. 1.48 11.05±.1.93 (c) Canopy depth 5.02 ±. 1.03 9.74 ±. 1.58 4.97 ±. 0.96 9.51 ±. 2.34 (d) Canopy width 6.92 + 2.11 11.02 +2.21 6.61 + 2.11 9.25 + 2.00

2 Middle cano~:t tree (a) Species number 8+2 7+1

Mat I Mat" Mat I Mat" (b) Height 5.95 ±. 0.96 7.37 ±. 1.78 6.15 ±. 1.67 7.27 ±. 1.36 (c) Canopy depth 4.59 ±. 0.79 5.59 ±. 1.58 4.36 ±. 1.38 5.88 ±. 1.75 (d) Canopy width 7.62 + 1.99 10.81+ 0 7.72 + 1.47 10.15 + 0.47

3 Seedlings! Saplings 13 + 3 10 + 2 4 Annual Crops 11000 - 1350 " 1750 - 2000 both in I - " (1000 - 2000 m amsl )

mamsl mamsl Number of Species 9 4 17

m amsl - meter above mean sea level; a,b, and c all In average In meter scale

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were confmed to 1000 - 1350 m amsl. Four crops Fagopyrum esculentum, Fagophyrum

tataricum, Rrassica oleraceae and Brassica capitata were confined to 1750 - 2000 m

amsl. Seventeen crops Allium cepa, Brassica comparstris, Cannabis spp, Cucurbita

maxima, Cyclenthera pedata, Dolichos biflorus, Glycine sofee, Lycopersicon esculentum,

Moliga oleifera, Mormordica charantica, Raphanus sativus, Solanum spp and

Trigonella- faenumgraecum fenugreek were common constituents of ground layer (Figure

3.4). Total density, canopy cover and diversity were comparable all along the altitude

gradient, but the basal area of high altitude home gardens was higher (8.02 m2/ha) as

compared to home gardens at lower altitude (table 3.4).

Out of twenty one species present in low altitude (1000 to 1350 m amsl)

homegardens ten species (Citrus spp. Juglans regia, Mangifera indica, Prunus

armeniaca, Prunus domestica, Prunus persica, Punica granatum, Pyrus communis,

Pyrus pashia and Sapium sabiferum) were represented in the seedling (> 10 cm CBH)

stage. Five species Juglans regia, Mangifera indica, Prunus domestica, Pyrus communis

and Pyrus pashia in all the stages (seedlings, saplings, matured I and matured II) of trees.

These home gardens were dominated by Pyrus communis and co-dominated by Pyrus

pashia Mangifera indica Juglans regia and Melia azadarach. Sixteen species were

present in high altitude (1750 to 2000 m amsl) home gardens, of which, eight species

were present as seedlings Citrus spp., Juglans regia, Prunus armeniaca, P. domestica, P.

persica, Pyrus communis, P. malus and P. pashia and four species were present in all

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Table 3.5 Tree characteristics in home gardens of Kumaon in villages classified in two altitudinal zones.

Altitudinal Dens'ty (/ha) % Canopy Basal area (m"/ha) Diversity (SWI) zone (m amsl) Mean Range cover Mean Range Mean Range 1000 - 1350 236 228 - 244 46.53 5.37 3.85-6.89 2.39 2.12 - 2.66 1650 - 2000 252 244 - 260 51.13 8.02 6.22- 9.82 2.58 2.38 - 2.78 SWI - Shannon Weaver Index

59

stages of tree. They were dominated by Pyrus malus and co-dominated by Prunus

pcrsica, P. domestica P. armeniaca and Cirtus spp (Figure 3 .2c).

Basal area of most of the trees in the low altitude (1000 to 1350 m amsl) home

gardens Mangifera indica and Pyrus communis and co-dominated by T oona ciliata,

Celtis australis, Juglans regia, and Melia azadarach showed basal are more than 0.4

m2/ha, where as naturally regenerated species Pyrus pashia and Pinus roxburghii showed

basal area above 0.8 m2 in low altitude. In the high altitude (1750 to 2000 m amsl) home

gardens, many trees both regenerated (Ficus glomerata, Myrica esculenta, and

Rhodendron arborium)and planted (Juglans regia and Prunus domestica) trees had basal

area above 0.6 m2/ha and Quercus leucotrichophora, Celtis australis and Ficus

glomerata above 0.8 m2/ha (Figure. 3.3c).

In all the above three agroforestry systems (home gardens, agro-horticulture and

naturally regenerated agroforestry systems) thirty one tree species were recorded (table

3.6). The planted trees Citrus spp. Juglans regia, Prunus domestica, P. persica,

P.atmeniaca, P. cerasoides, Punica granatum, Pyrus cummunis, P. malus and Mangifera

indica were used mainly for fruits where as, the natural regenerated trees were used for

fuel, fodder, timber, fibre, medicine, etc. Among the regenerated tree the Celtis australis,

Grewia oppositifolia, Pyrus pashia, and Quercus leucotrichophora, were valued high for

their fuel and fodder, P. roxburghii, Q. leucotrichophora, Juglans regia, Toona Ciliata,

-. and Melia azadarach for fuel and timber. The Punica granatum, Myrica esculenta, Melia

azadirecta, Ficus palmata, Q. leucotrichophora, Sympolocos chinensis, Sapium insigne

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Table 3.6. Agroforestry trees of Kumaon and their utility values.

SINo Species Fuel Fodde Frui Timbe Small Fibr Any r t r timber e other

1 Albizzia procera ++ ++ - ++ + - -2 Cedrela teena ++ + - +++ ++ - -3 Celtis australis ++ +++ - + + ++ -4 Citrus spp. ++ - +++ - - - M 5 Eucalyptus globulus ++ - - +++ + - 01 6 Ficusglomerata +++ + + - - - Bm 7 Ficus palmata +++ + + ++ + +++ M 8 Ficus roxburghii ++ . ++ + + ++ - 01 9 Grewia oppositifolia +++ +++ - - - +++ Sp 10 Juglans regia ++ + +++ +++ ++ - -11 Mangifera indica +++ + +++ ++ + - Ri 12 Melia azadirechta +++ + - +++ +++ - M 13 MOffUS seffata ++ ++ ++ -- - - -14 Myrica esculenta +++ - +++ + ++ - Bm,M 15 Phoenix spp. + + - ++ - +++ Br 16 Pinus roxburghii +++ - - +++ ++ - Bm,OI 17 Prunus arrneniaca ++ + +++ - - -- M,OI 18 Prunus cerasoides ++ + ++ + + - -19 Prunus domestica + + +++ - - - -20 Prunus per sica ++ ++ +++ - - - -21 Punica granatum + + +++ - - - M 22 Pyrus cummunis +++ ++ +++ - - - -23 Pyrusmalus + + +++ - - - -24 pyrus pashia +++ ++ - + ++ - Gf, Bm 25 Quercus leucotrichophora +++ +++ - ++ +++ - Bm,M 26 Rhodendron arboreum ++ + - - + - Dy 27 Sapium insigni - - - - - - OI,M 28 Sapium sabiferum ++ ++ - - - - 01 29 Sorbus cuspitata ++ + + - - - -30 Symplocos chinensis + + + + ++ - M 31 Xanthoxylum acanthopodium ++ ++ - ++ ++ - M,OI + = Least valued, ++ = Medium valued; +++ = Most valued. Bm - Bedding material; Br - Broom; Gf - Grafted above with some economically valued plants; M- Medicinal use; 01 - Oil content; Sp -Soap; Ri - Used in rituals; Dy - Dying agent (Colour).

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and Xanthoxylum acanthopodium were valued for medicinal uses. The local community

I

of KUmaon also have knowledge of presence of economically valuable oil content in six

tree species Sapium sabiferum, Sapium insigne, Ficus roxburghii, Prunus armeniaca and

Xanthoxylum acanthopodium.

Flat landlValley land :-

The valley land cultivation was intensive throughout the study area. The cropping

pattern was two crops per year with a very short fallow period. Trees were not present in

here, however tree resources were used through farm yard manure (FYM) along with

chemical fertilizers.

Discussion

In spite of constant efforts by Government organizations like Indian Council of

Agricultural Research institutes and Ministry of Environnient, and Non-Governmental

Organizations, hill farming has by and large, failed to improve in the past. In the

altitudinal range of 1000 to 2000 m amsl where harvesting of three crops over a period of

two years under rainfed conditions and dependence on following, the age old traditions,

continue to exist. A fuller understanding of the complex farming system is needed to

improve the present state of food production system.

The linkages between the forest, household and agricultural activities are built up

on empirical knowledge transmitted on from one generation to other. Most of the energy

requirements are met from the forest for the subsistence. livelihood. of the local

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community. Certain species Pinus sp. and Quercus spp. are intensively used from the

! forest. Dominance of these two species in the forest plays a vital role in the

agroecosystems' characteristics. In agroecosystems certain trees from natural regeneration

are selectively retained and some are planted. Home garden is an essential part of every

household. The lower altitude (1000 to 1750 m amsl) villages surrounded by Pinus forests

are dominated by agri-silvicultural practices and the high altitude (1750 -2000 m amsl)

villlages are surrounded by Quercus forests dominated by agro-horticultural practices.

Diversity in natural ecosystem is the measure of the human disturbance (Odum,

1983), whereas in the present study, the diversity in human managed system is the

measure of diversity of problems and need. Such observations are reflected in many other

studies too (Fonzen and Oberholzer, 1984; Oladokum, 1990).

Home garden is always perceived as a 'production unit' (Gleisman, 1988) but it

is also a traditional research field where the empirical knowledge is developed through

the interaction with the natural system (forest) tested and preserved for the future

generations. Both in Himalayas and elsewhere homegardens are characterized by vertical

stratification, high density of trees, basal area and other food crops (Escalante, 1985; Nair

and Sreedharan, 1986; Michon et al., 1986; Odoul, 1986, and Ramakrishnan, 1992). The

management of vertical stratification of woody species reflects the richness of the

empirical knowledge of the traditional societies to use the natural light efficiently

(Michon et al., 1986). The higher altitude (1750 to 2000 m amsl) home gardens- are

climatically suited for the economically valued trees like Pyrus malus and they resulted in

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higher concentration of these fruit trees. As the lower altitude (1000 to 1350 m amsl)

home gardens surrounded by forest dominated by Pinus sp. are not able to provide

enough fuel and fodder, thus have high concentration of naturally regenerated fuelwood

and fodder tree species. Now the emphasis is gradually increasing on plantation of fruit

crops as they are the major source of income. In many cases fruit trees in the home

gardens provided cash income as in Costa Rica (Budowski, 1987) and North eastern India

(Gangwar and Ramakrishnan, 1989; and Maikuri and Ramakrishnan, 1990). But in

Kumoan, they are not prominent as the household home gardens are too small to produce

surplus for the market.

Agro-horticultural systems are mainly used for economic output from the fruit '.

production. As a result, these systems are characterized by intensive management with

disrupted crop cycle from three crops in two years to two crops per year without a fallow.

Pyrus communis system has a wider range of occurrence (1000 to 2000 m amsl). The

density of trees in different stages in Figure 3.5 shows that P. communis dominates in the

mature stage both in density and in basal area, whereas the P. malus system climatically

restricted above 1900 m amsl showed the mixed age group due to high mortality of

matured trees. The opening up of canopy also results in regeneration of other trees like

Quercus leucotrichophora. This results in high diversity (R' 1.18), total density (336/ha.)

and basal area (4.50 m2/ha.) but low canopy cover (38.57 %) Pyrus malus system as .

compared to the Pyrus communis system. Comparatively P. malus has higher economic

output (Singh et al., 1997) but the stability is less and insecurity persists due to lack of

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storage capacity, packing material and transport facility. To promote fruit, the P. malus

growers were granted concession to collect wood from the Government forests.

Naturally regenerated agroforestry systems are developed from the local seed

bank. Selection of tree species are made depending upon the natural occurrence of the

species on an altitude and the need (Toky et al., 1989). The villages in Kumaon are

dependent on cattle rearing, therefore, the fodder tree species are dominant and co­

dominant. On the w:hole six dominant agroforestry systems are classified in Kumaon,

five agroforestry systems Pyrus pashia, Celtis australis, Sapium sabiferum, Grewia

oppositifolian and Pinus roxburghii are in villages surrounded by forest dominated by .

Pinus sp. Quercus leucotrichophora agroforestry system in village surrounded by forest

which are dominated by the Quercus spp. The whole tree cutting of both species are

banned by the Government. Among the five agroforestry systems in the Pinus regime C.

australis, G. oppositifolia and Pyrus pashia seem to have been protected over

generations. P. roxburghii agroforestry system is a stage of total collapse as there is no

seed bank of other tree species and even the seedlings of P. roxburghii are not allowed to

grow. S. sabiferum agroforestry systems are left over of abandoned tea plantations. This

species is used as fuel wood. Even though this species is not highly preferred fuelwood, it

is able to dominate to its high regenerative capacity through both seed germination and

vegetative propagation. The fodder and fuel requirements in these systems are met

through the co-dominance of C. australis and P. pashia. Basal area of P. pashia and­

Melia azadarach are high following Sapium sabiferum in the S. sa,?iferum system.

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pyrus pashia and Celtis australis valued for fodder co-dominate in most of the

agroforestry. P. pashia grows to a maximum height of ten meters where as C. australis

grows to a height more than fifteen meters. This enables farmers to systematically trim

and grow C. australis with longer bole to distribute the shade to a larger area. Therefore

the villages with high average land holding size (l.llha.lhousehold) and community

forest (0.83 sq.km.lha.) have P. pashia agroforestry system characterized by low total

density of trees (152lha.), canopy cover (21.02 %) and basal area (3.54m21h.). The

villages with low land holding size (0.38 ha.lhousehold) and community forest (0.36

sq.km.lhousehold) have C. australis agroforestry system characterized by high total

density of trees (244lha.) and basal area (5.57 M2lha.). Grewia oppositifolia is valued

high for fodder but low in fuel, therefore the G. oppositifolia agroforestry system has

strong co-domination of P. pashia and C. australis and characterized by high total density

of trees (232lha.) and basal area (4.70 m2lha.). Quercus leucotrichophora is valued high

for fodder fuel and timber. This unique combination of use values results in single species

(Quercus) dominance in Quercus spp. regime in naturally regenerated agroforestry

system or conversion into agro-horticultural system depending upon economic

opportunities. In villages far from the town the market facility is not available for

extension of agro-horticultue. Areas of high land holding size (1.72 ha.lhoushold) and

community forest (2.07 s.km.lhousehold) have Q. leucotrichophora agroforestry system

characterized by high total density of trees (212lha.), and basal area (4.10 m2lha.).

66

The dominant and co-dominant tree speCIes are managed in a way to have

minimum negative impact on the crops grown beneath. The evergreen species Quercus

leucotrichophora and Grewia oppositifolia have short and overlapping period of leaf fall,

leaf production, flowering and fruiting resulting in dense canopy throughout the year.

These are managed by mixing with deciduous Pyrus pashia in Q. leucotrichophora

system and P. pashia and Celtis australis in G. oppositifolia system. The lopping of trees

for fodder is done during the rainy (June to September) to allow adequate light

availability to the crops grown beneath during their active growth. In Q. leucotrichophora

lopping is done during the winter (November to March). This is heavily lopped such that

the canopy depth is larger and width is shorter so that negative impacts of intense shade

on crops is avoided~

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