The study aimed to assess dry matter dynamics of forests along treeline ecotone concerning environmental variability, and four representative forests, birch, kharsu oak, Himalayan fir and mixed forest along treeline ecotone (3250–3400 m asl) were selected in Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, Western Himalaya. Temperature, precipitation and humidity data were recorded for complete 3 years (2008–2010). Field inventory for assessment of forest structure and dry matter was carried out in a 200 m transect in each forest along treeline using quadrats of different sizes for tree, shrub and herb layers. The biomass and net primary productivity (NPP) of woody vegetation was estimated using region-specific allometric equations and of the herb layer, by harvesting. Litter quantity and decomposition rates were assessed using litter traps and litter bags, respectively. The dry matter budget of treeline ecotone was represented using a compartment model. The mean annual temperature at treeline was recorded 6.6 ± 0.68 ^°C with warmest month average temperature of 12.6 ± 1.2 ^°C. The average forest biomass at ecotone was 33.27 ± 16.97 Mg/0.1 ha, ranged between 8.87 Mg/0.1 ha in open and early successional birch forest to 44.98 Mg/0.1 ha in dense canopy mixed forest. NPP ranged from 1.49 to 2.11 Mg/0.1 ha year⁻¹. The birch forest exhibited the highest efficiency in annual dry matter accumulation in the canopy layer among all forests. The leaf litter decomposition rates (% weight loss) was highest for kharsu oak (74%) after 3 years. The study revealed that Western Himalayan treeline exhibit warmer summer and higher amounts of dry matter storage, production and decomposition rates. These treeline forests showed a higher dry matter assimilation rate and so the potential for carbon sequestration under a warming climate.

中文翻译：

---

印度喜马拉雅西部沿林荫过渡带的植被干物质动态

该研究旨在评估与环境变化有关的沿线生态交错带森林的干物质动态，并在西部的吉达纳斯野生动物保护区选择了沿线生态交错带（3250-3400 m asl）的四个有代表性的森林，桦木，喀尔苏橡树，喜马拉雅杉和混合林。喜马拉雅山。记录了整整三年（2008-2010年）的温度，降水和湿度数据。在每个森林沿林线的200 m样带中，使用树木，灌木和草本层的不同大小的四角形，进行了评估森林结构和干物质的野外调查。木本植物的生物量和净初级生产力（NPP）通过特定区域的等速方程和草本层通过收获来估算。使用垃圾收集器和垃圾袋评估垃圾量和分解率，分别。林线过渡带的干物质预算用一个区室模型表示。记录的年平均树温为6.6±0.68 ^° C，最温暖月份的平均温度为12.6±1.2  ^° C。过渡带的平均森林生物量为33.27±16.97 Mg / 0.1 ha，在开放和早演桦木森林中介于8.87 Mg / 0.1 ha至44.98 Mg / 0.1 ha。茂密的林冠混交林。NPP范围为1.49至2.11 Mg / 0.1公顷年⁻¹。在所有森林中，白桦林在冠层的年度干物质积累效率最高。3年后，哈苏橡木的凋落物分解率（重量减少百分比）最高（74％）。该研究表明，喜马拉雅西部的树线显示夏季温暖，干物质的储存，生产和分解速率更高。这些林木显示出较高的干物质同化率，因此在变暖的气候下固碳的潜力很大。