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Eastern Himalayan broadleaf forests

January 10, 2023

The Eastern Himalayan broadleaf forests is a temperate broadleaf forest ecoregion found in the middle elevations of the eastern Himalayas, including parts of Nepal, India, and Bhutan. These forests have an outstanding richness of wildlife.

Eastern Himalayan broadleaf forests
Broadleaf forests in Jigme Dorji National Park, Bhutan
Ecoregion territory (in purple)
Ecology
RealmIndomalayan
Biometemperate broadleaf and mixed forests
Borders
List
Bird species490[1]
Mammal species183[1]
Geography
Area83,100 km2 (32,100 sq mi)
Countries
Conservation
Habitat loss20.809%[1]
Protected8.97%[1]

Setting

This ecoregion covers an area of 83,100 km2 (32,100 sq mi) and constitutes a band of temperate broadleaf forests lying on steep mountain slopes of the Himalayas between approximately 2,000 and 3,000 m (6,600 and 9,800 ft). It extends from the Kali Gandaki River in Nepal across Sikkim and West Bengal in India, Bhutan, and the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh.[citation needed]

The temperate broadleaf forests transition into the Himalayan subtropical pine forests and the Himalayan subtropical broadleaf forests at lower elevations, and into the Eastern Himalayan subalpine conifer forests at higher elevations. This area receives over 2000 mm of rainfall per year, mostly falling from May to September during the monsoon.[citation needed]

Flora

The Eastern Himalayan broadleaf forests are diverse and species-rich, with a great diversity (of oaks and rhododendrons in particular) and many endemic species including plants of Indomalayan, Indochinese, Himalayan, Eastern Asiatic and even Gondwanan origin.

The ecoregion has two broad forest types: evergreen and deciduous. Evergreen forests are characterized by oaks (Quercus spp.), chiefly Quercus lamellosa, together with Lithocarpus pachyphylla, Rhododendron arboreum, Rhododendron falconeri, Rhododendron thomsonii, Magnolia doltsopa, Magnolia cathcartii, Exbucklandia populnea, Symplocos cochinchinensis, Magnolia spp., Cinnamomum spp., and Machilus spp. The many rhododendron species include more than fifty in Sikkim and another sixty in Bhutan.

In the deciduous forests meanwhile the predominant tree species are Himalayan maple (Acer campbellii), Juglans regia, Alnus nepalensis, Betula alnoides, Betula utilis, and Echinocarpus dasycarpus.

Finally in Eastern Nepal there are wetter areas dominated by a mixture of Magnolia campbellii, Acer campbellii and Osmanthus suavis along with Himalayan hazel (Corylus ferox).

Fauna

The forests are home to over 500 species of bird some of which migrate to the higher Himalayas in the hot summer. There are twelve near-endemic bird species as well as the strictly endemic rufous-throated wren-babbler. A number of bird species especially pheasant, tragopan and hornbill are easily threatened by changes to their habitat and those found here include the globally threatened rufous-necked hornbill (Aceros nipalensis), Sclater's monal (Lophophorus sclateri), white-bellied heron (Ardea insignis), Blyth's tragopan (Tragopan blythii) and Ward's trogon (Harpactes wardi).

There are four endemic or near-endemic mammals including Gee's golden langur (Trachypithecus geei) which is found north of the Brahmaputra River between the Sankosh and Manas Rivers. Other endemic mammals are Hodgson's giant flying squirrel (Petaurista magnificus), Namdapha flying squirrel (Biswamoyopterus biswasi) and Brahma white-bellied rat (Niviventer brahma), while endangered species found here include a population of Bengal tigers adapted to higher mountain slopes and having a high conservation priority. Other endangered species include takin (Budorcas taxicolor) and Himalayan serow (a subspecies of Capricornis sumatraensis) as well as the vulnerable Mandelli's mouse-eared bat (Myotis sicarius), Assam macaque (Macaca assamensis), stump-tailed macaque (Macaca arctoides), dhole (Cuon alpinus), back-striped weasel (Mustela strigidorsa), clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), and Irrawaddy squirrel (Callosciurus pygerythrus). The area also includes patches of fir forest with a bamboo undergrowth that are home to the endangered red panda (Ailurus fulgens).

Conservation

Most of the forest is intact as these are steep inaccessible slopes, although the Quercus lanata forests of the lower elevations are vulnerable to clearance, while the upper slopes are liable to be used for livestock grazing, especially in more densely populated Nepal. Protected areas include Namdapha National Park and Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh, Makalu Barun National Park in Nepal, and parts of Thrumshingla, Jigme Dorji, and Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Parks and Kulong Chu Wildlife Sanctuary in Bhutan. There are plans to create corridors of protection linking some of these areas in Bhutan and in India. The area around Namdapha National Park has been increasingly settled by Chakma refugees from Bangladesh. Another threat is the plan to build a dam on the Dihing River.[2] One area of importance that is currently unprotected is Mount Phulchowki in the Kathmandu valley.

Protected areas

In 1997, 15 protected areas were identified in this ecoregion, with a combined area of approximately 5,800 km2 (2,200 sq mi) that includes 7% of the ecoregion's area:[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Hoekstra, J. M.; Molnar, J. L.; Jennings, M.; Revenga, C.; Spalding, M. D.; Boucher, T. M.; Robertson, J. C.; Heibel, T. J.; Ellison, K. (2010). Molnar, J. L. (ed.). The Atlas of Global Conservation: Changes, Challenges, and Opportunities to Make a Difference. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-26256-0.
  2. ^ "Eastern Himalayan broadleaf forests". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.
  3. ^ Wikramanayake, E.; Dinerstein, E. & Loucks, C. J. (2002). "26. Eastern Himalayan broadleaf forests". Terrestrial Ecoregions of the Indo-Pacific: a Conservation Assessment. Washington, DC: Island Press. pp. 335–338.
  4. ^ a b Bhuju, U. R., Shakya, P. R., Basnet, T. B., Shrestha, S. (2007). Nepal Biodiversity Resource Book. Protected Areas, Ramsar Sites, and World Heritage Sites. International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, in cooperation with United Nations Environment Programme, Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. Kathmandu, ISBN 978-92-9115-033-5
  5. ^ a b Shakya, B., Joshi, R. M. (2008). Protected Areas and Biodiversity Conservation in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan Region with Special Reference to the Kangchenjunga Landscape. In: N. Chettri, B. Shakya, E. Sharma (eds.) Biodiversity Conservation in the Kangchenjunga Landscape. International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, Kathmandu. Pp. 13–20.

External links

  • WWF: Map of ecoregions in Nepal, showing the Eastern Himalayan broadleaf forests

January 10, 2023
eastern, himalayan, broadleaf, forests, temperate, broadleaf, forest, ecoregion, found, middle, elevations, eastern, himalayas, including, parts, nepal, india, bhutan, these, forests, have, outstanding, richness, wildlife, broadleaf, forests, jigme, dorji, nat. The Eastern Himalayan broadleaf forests is a temperate broadleaf forest ecoregion found in the middle elevations of the eastern Himalayas including parts of Nepal India and Bhutan These forests have an outstanding richness of wildlife Eastern Himalayan broadleaf forestsBroadleaf forests in Jigme Dorji National Park BhutanEcoregion territory in purple EcologyRealmIndomalayanBiometemperate broadleaf and mixed forestsBordersList Eastern Himalayan subalpine conifer forestsNortheastern Himalayan subalpine conifer forestsNorthern Triangle temperate forestsMizoram Manipur Kachin rain forestsNortheast India Myanmar pine forestsBrahmaputra Valley semi evergreen forestsHimalayan subtropical broadleaf forestsHimalayan subtropical pine forestsBird species490 1 Mammal species183 1 GeographyArea83 100 km2 32 100 sq mi CountriesBhutanIndiaNepalConservationHabitat loss20 809 1 Protected8 97 1 Contents 1 Setting 2 Flora 3 Fauna 4 Conservation 4 1 Protected areas 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksSetting EditThis ecoregion covers an area of 83 100 km2 32 100 sq mi and constitutes a band of temperate broadleaf forests lying on steep mountain slopes of the Himalayas between approximately 2 000 and 3 000 m 6 600 and 9 800 ft It extends from the Kali Gandaki River in Nepal across Sikkim and West Bengal in India Bhutan and the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh citation needed The temperate broadleaf forests transition into the Himalayan subtropical pine forests and the Himalayan subtropical broadleaf forests at lower elevations and into the Eastern Himalayan subalpine conifer forests at higher elevations This area receives over 2000 mm of rainfall per year mostly falling from May to September during the monsoon citation needed Flora EditThe Eastern Himalayan broadleaf forests are diverse and species rich with a great diversity of oaks and rhododendrons in particular and many endemic species including plants of Indomalayan Indochinese Himalayan Eastern Asiatic and even Gondwanan origin The ecoregion has two broad forest types evergreen and deciduous Evergreen forests are characterized by oaks Quercus spp chiefly Quercus lamellosa together with Lithocarpus pachyphylla Rhododendron arboreum Rhododendron falconeri Rhododendron thomsonii Magnolia doltsopa Magnolia cathcartii Exbucklandia populnea Symplocos cochinchinensis Magnolia spp Cinnamomum spp and Machilus spp The many rhododendron species include more than fifty in Sikkim and another sixty in Bhutan In the deciduous forests meanwhile the predominant tree species are Himalayan maple Acer campbellii Juglans regia Alnus nepalensis Betula alnoides Betula utilis and Echinocarpus dasycarpus Finally in Eastern Nepal there are wetter areas dominated by a mixture of Magnolia campbellii Acer campbellii and Osmanthus suavis along with Himalayan hazel Corylus ferox Fauna EditThe forests are home to over 500 species of bird some of which migrate to the higher Himalayas in the hot summer There are twelve near endemic bird species as well as the strictly endemic rufous throated wren babbler A number of bird species especially pheasant tragopan and hornbill are easily threatened by changes to their habitat and those found here include the globally threatened rufous necked hornbill Aceros nipalensis Sclater s monal Lophophorus sclateri white bellied heron Ardea insignis Blyth s tragopan Tragopan blythii and Ward s trogon Harpactes wardi There are four endemic or near endemic mammals including Gee s golden langur Trachypithecus geei which is found north of the Brahmaputra River between the Sankosh and Manas Rivers Other endemic mammals are Hodgson s giant flying squirrel Petaurista magnificus Namdapha flying squirrel Biswamoyopterus biswasi and Brahma white bellied rat Niviventer brahma while endangered species found here include a population of Bengal tigers adapted to higher mountain slopes and having a high conservation priority Other endangered species include takin Budorcas taxicolor and Himalayan serow a subspecies of Capricornis sumatraensis as well as the vulnerable Mandelli s mouse eared bat Myotis sicarius Assam macaque Macaca assamensis stump tailed macaque Macaca arctoides dhole Cuon alpinus back striped weasel Mustela strigidorsa clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa and Irrawaddy squirrel Callosciurus pygerythrus The area also includes patches of fir forest with a bamboo undergrowth that are home to the endangered red panda Ailurus fulgens Conservation EditMost of the forest is intact as these are steep inaccessible slopes although the Quercus lanata forests of the lower elevations are vulnerable to clearance while the upper slopes are liable to be used for livestock grazing especially in more densely populated Nepal Protected areas include Namdapha National Park and Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh Makalu Barun National Park in Nepal and parts of Thrumshingla Jigme Dorji and Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Parks and Kulong Chu Wildlife Sanctuary in Bhutan There are plans to create corridors of protection linking some of these areas in Bhutan and in India The area around Namdapha National Park has been increasingly settled by Chakma refugees from Bangladesh Another threat is the plan to build a dam on the Dihing River 2 One area of importance that is currently unprotected is Mount Phulchowki in the Kathmandu valley Protected areas Edit In 1997 15 protected areas were identified in this ecoregion with a combined area of approximately 5 800 km2 2 200 sq mi that includes 7 of the ecoregion s area 3 Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary Arunachal Pradesh also extends into the Himalayan subtropical pine forests 120 km2 46 sq mi Mouling National Park Arunachal Pradesh also extends into the Himalayan subtropical pine forests 200 km2 77 sq mi Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary Arunachal Pradesh also extends into the Himalayan subtropical pine forests and Brahmaputra Valley semi evergreen forests 110 km2 42 sq mi Royal Manas National Park Bhutan also extends into the Himalayan subtropical broadleaf forests 410 km2 160 sq mi Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park Nepal 159 km2 61 sq mi 4 Makalu Barun National Park Nepal 1 500 km2 580 sq mi 4 also extends into the Eastern Himalayan subalpine conifer forests and Eastern Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows Neora Valley National Park West Bengal 88 km2 34 sq mi 5 Torsa Strict Nature Reserve Bhutan 651 km2 251 sq mi 5 also extends into the Eastern Himalayan subalpine conifer forests and Eastern Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows Jigme Dorji National Park Bhutan also extends into the Eastern Himalayan subalpine conifer forests and Eastern Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows 560 km2 220 sq mi Thrumshingla National Park Bhutan also extends into the Eastern Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows 310 km2 120 sq mi Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary Bhutan also extends into the Eastern Himalayan subalpine conifer forests 390 km2 150 sq mi Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park Bhutan also extends into the Eastern Himalayan subalpine conifer forests and Eastern Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows 600 km2 230 sq mi Namdapha National Park Bhutan 1 580 km2 610 sq mi Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary Arunachal Pradesh 780 km2 300 sq mi Chayu Nature Reserve Tibet also extends into the Eastern Himalayan subalpine conifer forests 320 km2 120 sq mi See also EditList of ecoregions in IndiaReferences Edit a b c d Hoekstra J M Molnar J L Jennings M Revenga C Spalding M D Boucher T M Robertson J C Heibel T J Ellison K 2010 Molnar J L ed The Atlas of Global Conservation Changes Challenges and Opportunities to Make a Difference University of California Press ISBN 978 0 520 26256 0 Eastern Himalayan broadleaf forests Terrestrial Ecoregions World Wildlife Fund Wikramanayake E Dinerstein E amp Loucks C J 2002 26 Eastern Himalayan broadleaf forests Terrestrial Ecoregions of the Indo Pacific a Conservation Assessment Washington DC Island Press pp 335 338 a b Bhuju U R Shakya P R Basnet T B Shrestha S 2007 Nepal Biodiversity Resource Book Protected Areas Ramsar Sites and World Heritage Sites International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development Ministry of Environment Science and Technology in cooperation with United Nations Environment Programme Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific Kathmandu ISBN 978 92 9115 033 5 a b Shakya B Joshi R M 2008 Protected Areas and Biodiversity Conservation in the Hindu Kush Himalayan Region with Special Reference to the Kangchenjunga Landscape In N Chettri B Shakya E Sharma eds Biodiversity Conservation in the Kangchenjunga Landscape International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development Kathmandu Pp 13 20 External links EditWWF Map of ecoregions in Nepal showing the Eastern Himalayan broadleaf forests Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Eastern Himalayan broadleaf forests amp oldid 1049712867, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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