| Response of Rhododendron campanulatum D.Don an alpine species to climatic variations |
| Paper ID : 1034-ADA2013 |
| Authors: |
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Prabina Rana *1, Madan Koirala2 1Nepal Academy of Science and Technology,PO Box 3323 Kathmandu Nepal 2Professor, Central Department of Environmental Science(CDES), Tribhuvan University |
| Abstract: |
| High elevation tree species are generally expected to advance in response to global warming. Recently, in Manaslu Conservation Area the Himalayan fir (Abies spectabilis) has been reported to be migrating upwards at an average rate of 34.29 m per decade. Rhododendron campanulatum D. Don which belongs to the Ericaceae family is a small tree characterized by its bell shaped flower that grows from 2800m - 4400m. The study was carried out at Kalchuman Lake Area of Manaslu Conservation Area situated in Central Region of Nepal. The local people have reported that this species has been seen colonizing upper altitudes in recent years; however this needs to be verified. Tree age predictions can be made based on age-diameter models with small size sampling of trees with measured basal diameter and age. These models avoid the need for expensive and time-consuming age measurements in forest inventories. The study aims to assess the response of R. campanulatum to climatic variability and to evaluate the relationship of its basal diameter (groundline) and age using dendroecological methods. Preliminary findings reveal that R. campanulatum is migrating upwards at a rate of 26.95m per decade. The oldest R. campanulatum tree is of 164 years. The basal diameter was found to be significantly correlated with age (r2=0.800 P<0.0001). Similar basal diameter and age correlation were reported for Rhododendron ponticum L. in Turkey. The impact of climate on vegetation is more pronounced and easily detected in the mountainous environment along the altitudinal gradient. Using the basal diameter age equations attempts were made to study the age distribution patterns along the altitudinal gradient. The results of the age structure dynamics along the altitudinal gradient at a difference of 100 m from 3600 m.asl to 4000 m.asl will be presented. |
| Keywords: |
| Rhododendron campanulatum, basal diameter, age, correlation, dendroecology, upward shift |
| Status : Abstract Accepted |
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