Vegetation composition and regeneration status of oak dominated forests in relation to disturbances in Kumaun Himalaya, India

Various changes in the Himalayan Forests are appearing in their structure, density, composition and regeneration due to biotic pressure on them namely; uncontrolled lopping and felling of trees for fuel wood, fodder and grazing these biotic pressures play an important role in forest community dynamics and regulate the regeneration ability of a species. The study area is located between 29º22´ and 29º23´ N latitude and 79º 26´ and 79º 28´E longitude between 1800-2300 m elevations in Uttrakhand Himalaya. The present study was conducted in four different sites namely, undisturbed, highly disturbed, moderately disturbed and less disturbed sites in Nainital catchment this chapter mainly concerned with three major forms of activities that have affected the vegetation composition of Western Himalayan oak, grazing, fuel wood and fodder collection.