The Indian Himalayan region (IHR), a Mega hot spot among the global biodiversity (Mayer et al. 2000), is very well known for the unique topography, climatic conditions, diverse habitats and a large altitudinal range (Anonymous 1992). Betula utilis D. Don (common name: Himalayan birch, Hindi name: Bhojpatra; Family: Betulaceae) is a broadleaved angiosperm and native tree species of high altitude Himalaya. This species is distributed in sub-alpine region of the Himalayan range between 3,300 - 4,500m amsl and forms tree line all across the Himalaya (Shaw et al. 2014). Rhizosphere research is being recognized due to the world wide emerging concern on climate change and food security (Adl 2016; Alshaal et al. 2017). Microorganisms are always a crucial part of any ecosystem as they carry out various activities to maintain the sustainability of that ecosystem. In mountain ecosystem, change in climate is observed along with the change in altitude. The biological services provided by soils are referred as life support functions (Schloter et al. 2018). Climatic variation at micro-scale, for example variation due to altitudinal difference, also affects the microbial communities. This is due to change in climatic factors such as temperature, net precipitation, O 2 availability, etc. These changes enable colonization of higher population of microbes which are adapted to particular type of environments causing reduction in the diversity. The respective change in microbial community leads to specialized microbial processes depending on the climatic conditions. IHR is diverse in all forms of life including microbial diversity. There is a great need for identifying the microbial indicators to assess climate variability especially in the mountains which are being affected by climate change. Also, microbial communities in varying climatic conditions from diverse ecosystems, including mountains, are increasingly getting attention in view of their ecological relevance (Ciccazzo et al. 2015; Massaccesi et al. 2015). Extracellular enzymes in soil are released mainly due to the microbial activities leading to various ecological functions. It includes nutrient recycling in the soil by degradation of soil organic matter to maintain the soil health. Microbial components, including mycorrhizae present in the roots, are the key producers of soil enzymes (Ladd 1978). Due to natural calamities, changing environmental conditions and over exploitation, the species (B. utilis) has become vulnerable and habitat alterations have started taking place. Such conditions are making the species more vulnerable. Microbial associations will also change with habitat alterations and climate change. Such changes may affect the mutual benefits of these species. Most of the studies on this species have been carried out in isolation and studies integrating different components of B. utilis forests have not been carried out so far. With this background, the present project is being proposed with the following objectives:
• To assess the representative Betula utilis populations in Himachal Pradesh, North-West Himalaya
• To assess the soil enzymes and microbial endophytes as indicators of climate resilience
• To assess the contribution of root associated microbes in propagation and conservation of B. utilis
• To create awareness among the local inhabitants, Officials of the Forest Department, NGOs and other stakeholders
• To use the generated knowledge in suggesting management options and policy briefs for the conservation B. utilis populations