STM Journals Peer-reviewed research from Consortium e-Learning Network

Journal of Remote Sensing & GIS

Geospatial Analysis of Biomass Distribution in Relation to Topography, Disturbance and Biological Richness in Forests of Kumaun Himalaya

  1. Richa Sharma
  2. Smita Chaudhary
  3. Neeraj Kumar Sharma

Abstract

Biomass in forests of Kumaun Himalaya has been estimated using field sampling and remote sensing technique. Spatial distribution of biomass has been mapped and analyzed with reference to the topography, disturbance and biodiversity regimes. Biomass obtained in Kumaun Himalaya has been categorized in different classes from low to high biomass values. High biomass class (> 400 t ha-1) and moderate biomass class (300-400 t ha-1) showed 72% and 67% area, respectively under low and moderate altitude categories (up to 1700 m). In slope analysis, 82% and 78% area of high and moderate biomass class was recorded under low and moderate slope category (up to 30o), respectively. North facing aspects occupied 43% and 42% area, respectively of high and moderate biomass class and south facing aspects occupied 33% area. Fifty to sixty percent area of all the biomass classes has been recorded under low disturbance category and 23 to 31% area under high disturbance. All the biomass classes showed 60 to 74% area under very low and low biological richness classes and 8 to 14% area under high biological richness class. Spatial distribution of biomass classes with reference to topography, disturbance and biological richness is useful to understand the potential areas for afforestation and reforestation in context to the carbon sequestration.
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