Estimation of growing stock in dry temperate forests of Skardu, Baltistan
Estimation of growing stock in dry temperate forests of Skardu, Baltistan
Anwar Ali1, Saz Muhammad2, Zakir Hussain3, Khadim Abbas4 and Kiramat Husain5
ABSTRACT
The growing stock of District Skardu was assessed through a forest inventory in 2016. The average number of trees was estimated at 85 per ha showing very sparse nature of the forests. Kail is the single dominant species (85.26%) in the forests. In co-dominant species, Fir consists of 5.85%, Juniper 3.9% and Spruce 2.09% of the total trees sampled during the inventory. Birch is the only broad-leaved species recorded during the inventory with 2.89% trees. Diameter class distribution shows that the forest is overwhelmingly young and consists of lower dia classes. Most of the trees fall in diameter classes 05-10 cm, 11-20 cm and 21-30 cm. Stand structure is almost entirely young as most of the trees fall in immature (90.61%) and sub-mature (8.96%) development stages. On the other hand, mature tree are almost absent as only 0.43% of the trees are mature. The total growing stock in the forest of Skardu District is estimated at 73,068 m3 (2,579,327 cft) with an average of 12.99±2.21 m3/ha (95% CI). The future growing stock for 2026 is estimated at 143,887 m3 with average of 25.58 m3/ha. Annual increment was determined for coniferous species based on the growth rate for past 10 years. It was found that the forests of Skardu District would put in about 70,819 m3 in the next 10 year. This is equal to annual increment of 1.26 m3/ha. The results of the inventory show that the forests are poorly stocked lacking mature trees. Thus it is imperative to take steps for conservation of the mother trees and regeneration of the forests.
To share on other social networks, click on any share button. What are these?
March 2015
Vol. 65, Iss. 1
