Forests face a variety of threats in the modern era. Agroforestry systems, both traditional and introduced, have a tremendous capacity for providing sustainable resources and combating the impact of global climate change. Indigenous agroforestry and forest land-use systems are important reservoirs for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services, providing a potential contribution to livelihood security for rural communities. This study aimed to assess the tree diversity and carbon stock of agroforestry and adjoining forests along altitudinal gradients, ranging between 700 and 2200 masl (i.e., lower, middle, and upper altitudes) by laying sample plots randomly of a size of 20 × 20 m². In the forest land-use system, the maximum Importance Value Index (IVI) included Dalbergia sissoo (71.10), Pyrus pashia (76.78), and Pinus roxburghii (79.69) at the upper, middle, and lower elevations, respectively, whereas, in the agroforestry land-use system, the IVI reported for Ficus semicordata was 43.05 at the upper, while for Grewia optiva it was at 53.82 at the middle and 59.33 at the lower altitudes. The below-ground biomass density (AGBD) was recorded as 1023.48 t ha⁻¹ (lower), 242.92 t ha⁻¹ (middle), and 1099.35 t ha⁻¹(upper), while in the agroforestry land-use system, the AGBD was 353.48 t ha⁻¹ (lower), 404.32 t ha⁻¹ (middle), and 373.23 t ha⁻¹ (upper). The total carbon density (TCD) values recorded were 630.57, 167.32, and 784.00 t ha⁻¹ in forest land-use systems, and 227.46, 343.23, and 252.47 in agroforestry land-use systems for lower, middle, and upper altitudes, respectively. The Margalef’s Index values for agroforestry and forests ranged from 2.39 to 2.85 and 1.12 to 1.30, respectively. Soil organic carbon (SOC) stock recorded 45.32, 58.92, and 51.13 Mg C ha⁻¹ for agroforestry and 61.73, 42.65, and 71.08 Mg C ha⁻¹ for forest in lower, middle and upper elevations, respectively. The study suggests that selecting land use patterns can be an effective management system for tree species at different elevations for carbon storage, helping to mitigate climate change and aiding in sustainable management of ecosystems in the Garhwal Himalayas.

In urban forestry plantations are implemented in different cities of the world for social and environmental benefits. Bauhinia retusa and Bauhinia variegata are important species and to be used as large-scale plantation programs in urban forestry which might solve or mitigate urban, social, and environmental issues such as improving the physical & mental health of residents, food and nutrition security, increasing urban biodiversity, cooling the neighboring, preventing soil erosion, flooding, and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. The present study was conducted with the aim of producing quality planting material for B. retusa and B. variegata in the nursery for afforestation programs. Seeds of B. retusa and B. variegata were collected from the natural habitats to assess seed germination and seedling growth. Seeds were stored in different types of containers at room temperature and later on exposed to 15, 20, and 25 °C in seed germinator. Seeds were further sown in polythene bags according to the seed size, seed coat color, seed sowing depth, the orientation of seeds, and the result of the emergence of seedlings, their growth, and biomass were estimated. A two-way analysis of variance was calculated to estimate the variation among the studied parameters. Results revealed that a constant 25 °C temperature was considered best for seed germination of both the Bauhinia species. Polybags were found the most suitable for storing the Bauhinia seeds among the storage containers. The seedling emergence and growth were maximum in yellow color and large seeds. In B. retusa, seedling emergence, and growths were the maximum in seeds sown at a horizontal position and in B. variegata at an upright position. Seedling emergence, length, and biomass were recorded the maximum when seeds of B. retusa were sown at 4 cm depth and B. variegata seeds were sown at 2 cm depth. The study recommends that the yellow color seed that has to be sown at 2 cm to 4 cm depth with upright and horizontal positions is considered best for the production of quality planting stock of both studied Bauhinia species.

This study investiges the rooting ability and the growth performance of lower and upper shoot positions and type of the cuttings, i.e. soft and hard wood and leafy and non leafy, of Tecoma stans (L.) Kunth. The cuttings were collected from 4-year old plants growing in the Chauras Campus of H.N.B. Garhwal University Srinagar Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India. The rooting ability of cuttings was studied under the treatments of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and Indole 3-acidic acid (IAA) under 0.0%, 0.3%, 0.4%, 0.5% concentration in both hormones. The rooting response was significantly (p < 0.05) better in 0.4% IBA compared to other treatments and control (0% IBA and IAA). The ratio of number of roots to rooted cuttings and length of root to rooted cuttings in the different treatments showed significant differences (p < 0.05). The rooted cuttings were further transferred, into the polythene bags and shifted to open nursery conditions. Under such conditions, the rooted cuttings treated with 0.4% and 0.5% IBA demonstrated the highest (90% to 100%) survival capacity in the lower portion soft wood and leafy stem cuttings. Plantable plant and plant height was greater in the 0.4% IBA concentration treatment. The results of the study suggest that rooting of soft wood stem cuttings having lower position and leaves could be an effective mean of regenerating to T. stans. Furthermore, the application of 0.4% IBA concentration treatment is appropriate for rooting of juvenile leafy stem cuttings in a mist chamber.

C. sinensis (L.) Osbeck is grown in large-scale, in-home gardens of traditional agroforestry systems in the Garhwal Himalaya. The present investigation of C. sinensis was conducted on the basis of twenty-six populations in different home gardens located in different geographical variables. The aim was to understand variations in physicochemical properties, viz., fruit weight, fruit length, fruit width, peel thickness, peel weight, juice sacks, juice weight, seeds/fruits, rudimentary seeds/fruits, seed weight, total soluble solids, citric acid, ascorbic acid and sugar content. The results of the study revealed that the physicochemical properties of C. sinensis were significantly varied among the populations. The fruit weight was the most variable among the morphological characteristics, and vitamin C among the nutritive parameters. The average fruit weight varied from 96.64 to 296.86 g/fruit. The other study traits were found to oscillate between 7.73 and 12.76 °Brix (total soluble solids); 3.04 and 5.96% (citric acid); 31.45 and 86.45 mg/g⁻¹ (vitamin C) and 4.65 and 9.27% soluble sugar. Geographical variables (altitude, latitude and longitude, temperature and rainfall) have influenced the physicochemical parameters of C. sinensis significantly. Amongst the physicochemical properties, fruit weight and vitamin C were the most variable parameters and could be used for the improvement of C. sinensis. These variations in the C. sinensis population have enabled great advances in better understanding the variability in the physicochemical properties of fruit and response to biotic and abiotic stresses.

Erythina stricta is an ecologically important tree species in the rainforests of India and its nectar within the flowers contributes to birds’ diet and survival. Reports on the pollination of this species have not been published so far. We therefore explore the reproductive system of this tree species which has great significance to its ecosystem. Birds have an important role in the reproduction of trees through pollination particularly in tropical areas where reproductive success mostly depends on animal pollinator interactions. Study of visitation and nectar feeding behaviour of birds along with breeding system assessment of Erythina stricta. Birds visiting and foraging behaviour was observed during Erythrina stricta flowering season in an indian tropical rainforest. Reproductive system was assessed through controlled pollination experiments. Thirteen bird species were recorded visiting and foraging nectar from the flowers of Erythrina stricta. The maximum numbers of visits recorded were from the Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer, Pycnonotidae). The nectar feeding birds were, either (i) potential pollinator with long bills (e.g. Pycnonotus spp., Chloropsis aurifrons, and Dicrurus spp.) or (ii) nectar robbers with comparatively shorter bills (e.g. Zosterops palpebrosa, Stachyris ruficeps, Macronous gularis, Heterophasia glaciris). Controlled pollination experiments revealed high degree of cross pollination (xenogamy) and self-incompatibility in E. stricta. Birds were more frequent in early mornings and their foraging activity was also observed during evening hours; the frequency however, declined with respect to nectar availability. Long corolla tubes of E. stricta could restrict access to nectar collecting bees.