Eastern Himalayan subalpine conifer forests
Eastern Himalayan subalpine conifer forests | |
---|---|
Temperate coniferous forests | |
Borders | |
Bird species | 202[1] |
Mammal species | 130[1] |
Geography | |
Area | 27,500 km2 (10,600 sq mi) |
Countries | |
Conservation | |
Conservation status | Vulnerable[2] |
Habitat loss | 28.324%[1] |
Protected | 34.69%[3] |
The Eastern Himalayan subalpine conifer forests is a
Setting
The ecoregion forms a belt of coniferous forest covering 27,500 square kilometres (10,600 sq mi) from 3,000 to 4,000 metres (9,800 to 13,100 ft) elevation extending from the Gandaki River in Nepal east through Bhutan and into Arunachal Pradesh and Tibet. It is part of a transition zone from Indomalayan realm in the south, to the Palearctic realm in the north, and is the last habitat below the treeline of the Himalayas. The Himalayas are lined with belts of habitat from the grassy foothills to the high peaks and are home to a number of birds and animals that migrate seasonally through these zones, including these conifer forests, each of which provides crucial habitat at different times of the year. Furthermore the streams and rivers of the steep mountainsides will flood if not held in place by woodland.
The Eastern Himalayas are watered by the Bay of Bengal monsoon so are wetter than in the west and have a higher treeline (4,500m compared to 3,000m in the western Himalayas).[2]
Flora
These forests are typically found on steep, rocky, north-facing slopes. The most common trees are
Tsuga dumosa occurs in wetter areas and lower elevations. Pinus wallichiana occurs in drier areas around Tibet. It is particularly common in the Khumbu region. Taxus baccata is important but uncommon.[2]
Juniper woodlands grow in flat, inner river valleys, mixed with various species of
Fauna
This ecoregion is home to some eighty-nine species of mammals originally from both
About 200 species of birds have been recorded in this ecoregion of which six are endemic;
Threats and conservation
The human population of these heights is very low and most of the natural conifer forest remains with a considerable portion in protected areas. Damage is caused as trees are cut to provide firewood for local inhabitants and for trekking parties or to clear land for grazing.[2]
34.69% of the encoregion is in protected areas. Large protected areas that contain areas of conifer forest include Annapurna Conservation Area, Langtang and Makalu Barun National Parks in Nepal, Khangchendzonga, Namdapha and Singalila National Parks in India, and Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, and Jigme Dorji National Parks in Bhutan.[3]
See also
References
- ^ a b c
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. ISBN 978-0-520-26256-0.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Eastern Himalayan subalpine conifer forests". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.
- ^ a b "Eastern Himalayan subalpine conifer forests". DOPA Explorer. Accessed 24 August 2021. [1]