Papers by HIMANSHU BARGALI
Tree, Forest and People, 2024
We indexed 8,970 scientific publications on forest fires in order to bridge the gap between resea... more We indexed 8,970 scientific publications on forest fires in order to bridge the gap between research and policy discussions on forest fires. Journal articles and conference papers dominated the literature, with an emphasis on environmental science, agricultural and biological sciences, earth and planetary sciences, engineering, and computer science. Research in the field of fire has historically focused on terms such as "Forest Fire", "Wildfire", and "Deforestation", but recent trends have highlighted terms such as "MODIS," "Artificial Intelligence," "Algorithm," "Satellite Data," and "Prediction".
Frontiers in forests and global change, Jul 18, 2023
The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of forest fires on tree diversity and t... more The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of forest fires on tree diversity and their regeneration in three fire-prone forests of Uttarakhand, India. We used Landsat 5, 7, and 8 satellite imagery to prepare fire frequency maps and the study area was divided into four fire frequency classes. Ten plots were marked in each fire frequency class to assess diversity and regeneration pattern of tree species. A total of 14 tree species belonging to 14 genera and 13 families were sampled during the study period. We found that tree species diversity was higher in areas with low fire frequencies in comparison to the areas with no fire frequency class. We also observed that regeneration of tree species varied significantly across all fire frequency classes and forest types, with increasing dominance of certain fire-tolerant species in areas with frequent fires. Of the 33,678 individuals (tree, sapling, and seedling) recorded in all the fire frequency classes, 12,630 were in Sal Forest, 8,033 were in Chir-pine Forest, and 13,015 were in Mixed Forest. The study suggests that if forest fire incidences continue at current levels, the forests could experience a decline in tree diversity. Although forest fire is a natural occurrence in many ecosystems, the increasing frequency and intensity of fires due to human activities such as land-use change and climate change have disrupted the natural fire regime.
Ecological Processes, 2017
Introduction: The study was conducted in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, in the Western Ghats to underst... more Introduction: The study was conducted in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, in the Western Ghats to understand the effect of a single fire event on tree diversity and regeneration status. Four forest patches were selected which were unburned, 2-year-old burn, 5-year-old burn, and 15-year-old burn. Three 0.1 ha square plots were laid randomly in all four patches and analyzed for tree diversity, stand structure, and regeneration of tree species. Results: A total of 4129 individuals of tree species were recorded in field surveys, comprising 3474 seedlings, 121 saplings, and 534 trees. Totally, 40 tree species were recorded in study plots, from which 28 species were seedlings, 16 species were saplings, and 37 species were at tree stages. Conclusions: Tree diversity decreased in 2-year-old and 5-year-old burnt plots and was reached to the level of unburnt plots in 15 years of interval. Stems of small size classes started increasing after the fire. Seedling density increased linearly in subsequent years after fire but sapling and tree density recorded less than control in B2 but was higher in B5 and B15. The overall fire affected diversity, but regeneration showed a positive trend.
Current Science, May 25, 2020
Bhagirathi River is one of the largest tributaries of river Ganga in India and sustains a rich fi... more Bhagirathi River is one of the largest tributaries of river Ganga in India and sustains a rich fish biodiversity as cold water fishery resources. The present study aimed to study the current status of fish species and population abundance of selected fish species in the Bhagirathi River at Uttarakhand. During the present study, a total of 19 fish species belonging to 4 families were reported. Schizothorax and Tor fish species (Cyprinidae family) were the dominant species (>50 % of the total fish catch) in the riverine segments of the river Bhagirathi, while Cyprinus carpio (common carp) is the dominant species in the impoundment segment of Tehri reservoir. Few other fish species of Barilius, Garra, and Glyptothorax etc. also have been recorded during the study. The comparison of the present result with earlier reports delighted that endemic fish fauna have to be diminished with the progression of time in the Bhagirathi river system, which may because of debasement and fractures o...
The Bhagirathi is one of the most important and largest river of the Garhwal hills. The phytoplan... more The Bhagirathi is one of the most important and largest river of the Garhwal hills. The phytoplanktonic community in Bhagirathi was represented mainly by Bacillariophyceae (86%), Chlorophyceae (10%) and Myxophyceae (4%). The most common blue-green algae were Fragilaria species followed by Diatoms species frequent in the mountainous stretch and its degree of occurrence decrease in the lower region. The Ulothrix species of Chlorophyceae algae were moderately frequent at the upper part of Bhagirathi but less frequent in the lower region. Phormidium species was less frequent at upper region but moderately frequent at downstream of Bhagirathi. The highest resemblance between phytoplanktonic communities of two Zones, upstream and downstream of Tehri reservoir was observed. Zone 1 showed 60% resemblance with these two zones. The diatoms density shows an inverse relationship with turbidity, despite the fact that high turbidity indicates the possibility of high silicate level in the water, w...
Journal of Threatened Taxa, 2022
In the Himalayan region, there have been several reports of medicinal species being reported in p... more In the Himalayan region, there have been several reports of medicinal species being reported in peril in the recent decade. Keeping the sudden spurt in price and high demand of yet another highly threatened MAP Bunium persicum (Boiss.) B.Fedtsch. commonly known as ‘Kalazeera’ or black cumin of Himachal Pradesh in view, the current communication attempts to raise high conservation concern to preserve the species in the wild in the Lahaul and Pangi landscape of Himachal Pradesh. Based on intensive market surveys and individual interactions with the local populace and traders comprising 255 respondents in the landscape covering 12 villages of Pangi and five villages of Lahaul, the present study revealed that predominant factors that pose a major threat to the wild populations of the species include high market demand, increased illegal trade, destructive harvesting, relentless collection of seeds, competitive wild collection and its restricted population.
Trees, Forests and People
Trees, Forests and People
Owing to a predicted rise in temperature, increase in precipitation and the escalating anthropoge... more Owing to a predicted rise in temperature, increase in precipitation and the escalating anthropogenic stresses, the Himalayan ecosystems are the most threatened non-polar regions of the world. In the past, there have been racing extinctions and range shifts of several life forms in this region, particularly of the plant species. Therefore, consistent qualitative and quantitative records on botanical baseline data on a regular basis are indispensable. The current communication attempts to provide a detailed account on the current state of knowledge and research gaps in floristic studies of Himachal Pradesh, Western Himalaya. Based on an extensive review of more than 140 studies in the form of scientific peer reviewed literature on floristics, medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs), rare, endangered, threatened and endemic species and ethno-botany, it is revealed that the number of floristic studies in Himachal Pradesh have surged in the past years but studies pertaining to the lower pla...
Forest is a large area of land covered with trees, but a forest is much more than just trees, it ... more Forest is a large area of land covered with trees, but a forest is much more than just trees, it also includes smaller plants, such as mosses, shrubs, and wildflowers. Forests are home to more than two- thirds of all known land species. Fire is considered a God (the Agni) by Hindus and is used in the performance of most of the rituals. As believed by Hindus and as also preached by Lord Krishna in Bhagwat Gita, fire is one of the five most sacred constituents of life. Fire is one of the most important objects for its multiple uses and upon which the society depends for its well-being. No society can even imagine its existence without the existence of fire. While fire may have been a boon to mankind, it also causes immense losses in the form of life, property and other valuable resources. Forest fires in particular have been harmful to nature as well as society. Fires create the problem of pollution. About 90% of the forest fires in India are created by humans.
Journal of Threatened Taxa
Owing to numerous emerging threats to biodiversity, its conservation has been of paramount import... more Owing to numerous emerging threats to biodiversity, its conservation has been of paramount importance in today’s world. Interestingly, many modern practices have been followed globally for the conservation of natural resources, yet traditional conservation practices that could set an excellent example need to be explored worldwide. Keeping this in view, the current communication aims to highlight a unique conservation method that has been practiced in the remote and cold-arid region of the state of Himachal Pradesh in the western Himalaya. Locally known as ‘Praja Mandal’, this indigenous system of conservation needs to be addressed and adopted nationwide with an eye towards a sustainable ecosystem.
Journal of Remote Sensing & GIS, 2017
A forest may consist either of closed forest formations where trees of various storeys and underg... more A forest may consist either of closed forest formations where trees of various storeys and undergrowth cover a high proportion of the ground or open forest. Forests take many forms, depending on their latitude, local soil, rainfall and prevailing temperatures. A forest fire is any uncontrolled fire in combustible vegetation that occurs in the countryside or a wilderness area. A Forest fire frequency is an average time interval between successive fires. Fires in forested areas can be regarded as an environmental disaster caused by either natural forces or anthropogenic activities. Nainital district of Uttarakhand state experiences forest fires frequently every year with a peak during the months of April to July. The present study was done for Estimation of forest fire frequency from 2001-2016 of Nainital district of Uttarakhand state. Results were made by using the highest frequency of Nainital district was 9 and is categorized into 4 classes. The No fire areas contain 55% of total geographical area(TGA), Low fire areas contain 25%, Medium fire areas contain 18% and High fire area contains only 2% of TGA.
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Papers by HIMANSHU BARGALI