Phenological features in relation to growth forms and biomass accumulation in an alpine meadow of the Central Himalaya

• DOI: 10.1007/bf00033199
• Publication Date: 2022-01-31T11:41:31Z
• Authors: G. C. S. Negi; H. C. Rikhari; S. P. Singh
• Keywords: Snowmelt; Annual growth %

Phenological records of 50 plant species were made during 1988–89 in an alpine meadow (30° 10′-30° 13′ N lat. and 79° 39′-79°-41′ E long.) of Central Himalaya located between 3100–3750 m elevation. The growth initiation occurred when temperature began to rise continuously and the resulting in snowmelt. The peaks of the various phenophases succeeded one after another in time, within a period of about four months (from May to September) which is longer than the period reported for the alpine sites of higher latitudes. The period of growth initiation appeared to be related to growth form, the species showing earlier growth initiation (when temperatures were lower) deployed leaves to lower heights, close to the ground. A majority of forbs completed growth cycle earlier than the grasses. For example, one group represented by Trachydium roylei reached peak growth a few weeks before did another group of species, represented by Danthonia cachemyriana, which is indicative of niche separation of the respective group of species. Activities of accumulation of live and dead shoot biomass were clearly separated in time in most communities, the former occurring from May to August, and the latter mainly in September. Nomenclature: Osmaston (1926).