Project Title: Understanding the Nature of Alpine Timberlines of Himalayan: Integrating Ecological and Scenario Studies for Assessing the Impact of Climate Change.
1. Project Details
Sanction Date: 28-03-2018
Project Category SG
Year 2017-2018
Project Duration 3 Years + 6 Months Extension
BTA : Biodiversity Conservation & Management
Project Site/ State/ Districts/ Villages Covered: Himachal Pradesh
Organization/ Implementation Agency:

Himachal Pradesh State Centre on Climate Change

O/o HP Council for Science, Technology and Environment (HIMCOSTE)

Project Partners: S.No. Name
1.
 CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (CSIR-IHBT)
2. State Centre on Climate Change (SCCC)
Lead Proponent:

Mr. Nishant Thakur

Member Secretary, Himachal Pradesh State Centre on Climate Change O/o HP Council for Science, Technology and Environment (HIMCOSTE) Vigyan Bhawan, Bemloe Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

Project Brief Description:

Long term ecological studies not only enhance our understanding of the relationships of vegetation and environment but are also pre-requisite for documenting impacts of global climate change. Here, it is proposed that Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) plots be established at a number of sites in the timberline zone in Himachal Pradesh in western Himalaya. The sites will be selected based on probabilistic sampling among representative timberline forming species. Both biotic and abiotic parameters will be recorded for further monitoring of species in these LTER plots. Further, at these LTER plots, ecosystem functions viz., key species phenology, net primary productivity and nutrient dynamics will be studied. The biotic and abiotic parameters generated through LTER and climate simulation studies will be utilized to train ecological models. In addition, Scenario Studies by involving local communities and other stakeholders will be undertaken. Scenario studies provide useful context for addressing questions of future climate change based on local ethno-ecological, traditional knowledge and wisdom. Unlike, predictive modelling based on theoretical emission scenarios, such scenario studies help understand future change, given a range of possible societal dynamics (e.g. population growth, shifting demographics, land use change and possible environmental dynamics (e.g. climate, disturbance etc.). The present proposal will integrate both the approaches to holistically understand the impact of climate change on the alpine timberlines by also involving local stakeholders to directly contribute to the study outcomes. The objectives of the present study are as follows: -
1. To map timberline zone in Himachal Pradesh region of western Himalaya 2. To study plant populations, community structure and functional ecology in the LTER sites
3. To study effect of changing snow cover extent on species diversity and recruitment patterns.
4. To study phenology of key species, net primary productivity, nutrient dynamics and ecophysiology in the LTER sites.
5. To undertake predictive modeling for projecting future changes in vegetation.
6. To integrate with modelled projections, the scenario studies by involving local stakeholders for understanding the future of their landscape.

Beneficiaries/ Stakeholders:

The local communities, The forest department, The local administration, The local children and youth, The general public and The research community

Activity Chart (For 3years) Click Here


2. Financial Details
Total Grants (in Rs.) Rs. 48,45,220/- (Rupees Forty Eight Lakh Forty Five Thousand Two Hundred Twenty only)


3. Project Objectives, Deliverables and Monitoring Indicators
Project Objectives Quantifiable Deliverables Monitoring Indicators
•To map timberline zone in Himachal Pradesh region of western Himalaya • More and updated socio-ecological information on alpine timberline ecosystems of western Himalaya (HP) for understanding drivers of change; • No. of New Database/ Datasets/ generated on the identified dynamics and indices
• To study plant populations, community structure and functional ecology in the LTER sites . • Knowledge bank on likely impacts of climate change in the future at landscape levels; • No. of region-specific models/ techniques developed/ implemented viz., field-specific technology; conservation practices; etc.;
• To study effect of changing snow cover extent on species diversity and recruitment patterns. • Strategy inputs for managers and policy makers for conservation of timberlines; • No. of Awareness Raising/ Capacity Building (Total No. of Beneficiaries) involving participations of communities;
• To study phenology of key species, net primary productivity, nutrient dynamics and ecophysiology in the LTER sites. • Awareness among various stakeholders in 5 tribal districts. • Policy/ strategic framework/ drafts (No.) for conservation of timber line
• To undertake predictive modeling for projecting future changes in vegetation. • Other Publications and Knowledge Products (Nos.), among others an assessment.
• To integrate with modelled projections, the scenario studies by involving local stakeholders for understanding the future of their landscape
S.No. Name (Sanctioned) Qualification Designation Salary
1. 01 Project Scientist @ 30,000/- per month
2. 01 Project Assistant @ 10,000/- per month
S.No. Name of Equipment (Sanctioned) Details Cost (in INR)
1. Time lapse Camera with solar power attachment-01 nos
2. Video camera for penological studies- 01 nos
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